Facing the , the 12-storey high building resides in a gross area of 9,400 plus a floor area of 33,800 sq. metres. The construction cost was 690 million. The Library's collections include around 2.3 million items. It is the main library facility along with the Hong Kong Public Libraries System, which has collections of over 12.1 million items.
The arch-shaped doorway at the facade altitude of the Hong Kong Central Library symbolizes the Gate to Knowledge, while the graphics in the silhouette of triangle, square and circle signify different meanings. The circle stands for the sky, the square for the land and the triangle for the accretion of knowledge.
Services
Opened in May 2001, the Hong Kong Central Library provides a complete variety of library services including:
* inclusive reference and information services
* self-charging terminals
* Bookdrop service
* information kiosks
* Multimedia Information System .
Online Public Access Catalogue
The enables readers to rummage around the whole Chinese and English collections of the Hong Kong Public Libraries. Over and above a wide assortment of search options, such as author, title, subject, etc.
Readers do not have the choice at the start to narrow their search to books only, to audio-visual materials only or to some other categories or materials.
From any OPAC terminal, readers will know instantaneously whether the item they need is available on the shelf, on loan or being reserved. If it is on loan, readers will also know the date the item is due for return.
In case readers wish to know library related activities that are being held or forthcoming; or wish to check their own borrowing record, like how many books readers have borrowed, which item is overdue, etc., merely follow the menu options and readers will find them all. Readers may also carry out renewal and reservation at any OPAC terminal.
Multimedia Information System
is an example of all-embracing use of information technology and computer application in the Hong Kong Central Library. A three level audio-on-demand and video-on-demand system has been set up:
*1st level: built upon the high quality video-audio s. Users can access the system in sync.
*2nd level: consists of s and jukeboxes. It is a more economical channel for the public to search for less frequently used /video materials.
*3rd level: a conventional video/audio distribution network is used. Users can access media of most formats using LD, VCD, DVD, CD player and player.
In order to enable more public to use the first level video and third level audio and video of the AOD/VOD system, about 90 Asynchronous Transfer Mode terminals are installed in the Hong Kong Central Library. Meanwhile, the public can also utilize the AOD system by using the over 400 LAN workstations in the Central Library.
In addition, the Hong Kong Central Library provides document imaging materials, such as drawings, manuscripts, microfilms, clippings, reports, posters, house programmes, newspapers, photos, maps, pictures, black-and-white document images etc. After clearance of the relevant copyright/licensing terms, the materials are digitised and stored in the multimedia databases for all set access of users.
Comparing with the traditional library services, the digital library can provide better services in the way that:
*user can search information once there are networked workstations;
*multiple users can search for and use the same library materials concurrently;
*research and accessing information becomes more effective, efficient and in-depth;
*research means are of a greater variety, such as searching by colour format, style and structure, etc.
The Multimedia Information Services have already been extended to other . Depending on user demand, the Hong Kong Central Library may also make more workstations available for use.
Legal Deposit Library
The Hong Kong Central Library is an intelligent building, built on a network flooring system to offer litheness for the supply of power, telecommunication and further alteration and extension. Hong Kong Central Library has been designated as the legal depository library in Hong Kong for nine global organizations:
*Asian Development Bank
*European Union
*International Labour Organization
*International Maritime Organization
*United Nations
*
*
*World Trade Organization
*World Food Programme
Materials published by these organisations will have copies sent to this library. These materials are accessible to the public via a variety of methods.
Reading tables are all provided with separate power points and dataline outlets through which library patrons can use their own portable computers to access the library network and the Internet. Readers can also retrieve a wide range of multimedia databases on CD-ROMs and the Internet through the / workstations.
Discussion Rooms
Several floors of the Hong Kong Central Library have discussion rooms available for rental at a fixed charge on an hourly basis, and on a 30-minute basis thereafter.
Café
The library houses a Délifrance café outside the library area on the first floor behind the bookshop.
Floor plan
The Hong Kong Central Library has 11 storeys, each with its theme purpose.
G/F: Special Rooms
*Activities Room*
*Exhibition Gallery
*Lecture Theatre*
*User Education Hall
1/F: Reception
*Main Library Entrance
*Cloakroom
*Book and Gift Shop
*Book Drop
*Cafeteria
*Book circulation counters
*Self-charging terminals
2/F: Children's Library
*Children's Lending Library
*Children's Reference Library
*Picture Book Corner
*Children's Multimedia Room
*Children's Activity Room
*Toy Library
3/F: Adult Lending Library
*Adult Lending Library
*Self-charging terminals
*Adult's World
4/F: Special Reading Area
*Newspapers and Periodicals Stack
*Back Issues of Newspapers and Periodicals Reading Area
*Microform Production Room**
*Book Repair / Conservation Room**
5/F: Special Reading Area
*Current Newspapers and Periodicals Reading Area
*Microform Reading Area
*Computer and Information Centre
*Map Library
6/F: Young Adult Library
*Young Adult Library
*Audio-visual Library
*Discussion Room*
*Language Learning Centre
*Self-charging terminals
7/F: Exhibition Area
*Exhibition Area
*Central Book Stack**
*Rare Book Stack**
8/F: Central Reference Library
*General Reference Department
*Hong Kong Studies Department
*Hong Kong Literature Room
*United Nations Collection
*Depository Collections
9/F: Central Reference Library
*Social Sciences Department
*Humanities Department
*Science and Technology Department
*Business and Finance Department
*Discussion Room*
10/F: Arts Resource Centre
*Arts Library / Arts Resource Centre
*Music Practice Room*
*Discussion Room*
*Pornographic Section*
*Hong Kong Central Library Office**
11/F: Offices
*Hong Kong Public Library Offices**
Notes:
#*In-advance booking required for usage
#**Not open to public
In addition, male, female and toilets for the disabled, as well as information counters are available on every floor except 7/F and 11/F.
Anecdote
There existed some memorial plaques dedicated to famous modern Chinese writers in the library, one of them was for the witty and erudite scholar-novelist Qian Zhongshu . When the library was first opened, it was found that the second word of Qian's name 鍾 was mis-represented as 鐘. The mistake drew some criticism against the new library, which contains the greatest number of reference books among the public libraries in Hong Kong.
Highcliff
Highcliff is a 252.4-metre tall skyscraper located on a south slope of on the Hong Kong Island in Hong Kong. The 75 storey building's construction began in and was completed in under a design by DLN Architects & Engineers. It was the Silver Winner of the 2003 Emporis Skyscraper Award, coming in second to 30 St Mary Axe in London.
The tower is the tallest all-residential building in Hong Kong and the 95th tallest building in the world when measured to the highest architectural feature.
Highcliff is remarkably thin for such a tall building. Because of this, a passive was fitted to the top. This wind damper was the first of its kind for a residential building anywhere in the world. This was installed because of the number of typhoons which affect Hong Kong in the late summer.
Due to the visual effect of its proximity to The Summit, another very thin and tall building, the two together are often referred to as "The Chopsticks".
The tower is the tallest all-residential building in Hong Kong and the 95th tallest building in the world when measured to the highest architectural feature.
Highcliff is remarkably thin for such a tall building. Because of this, a passive was fitted to the top. This wind damper was the first of its kind for a residential building anywhere in the world. This was installed because of the number of typhoons which affect Hong Kong in the late summer.
Due to the visual effect of its proximity to The Summit, another very thin and tall building, the two together are often referred to as "The Chopsticks".
High Court Building
The High Court Building of Hong Kong is located on 38 and home to the High Court. It was built in 1985 as the home of the then Supreme Court of Hong Kong, which was renamed in 1997.
The structure is a white clad tower and has a water fountain outside its front door.
The structure is a white clad tower and has a water fountain outside its front door.
Happy Valley Racecourse
Happy Valley Horse Racing Track is one of the two racecourses for horse racing in Hong Kong. It is located in on Hong Kong Island, surrounded by Wong Nai Chung Road and Morrison Hill Road.
It was first built in 1845 to provide horse racing for the British people in Hong Kong. Before it was built, the area was a swampland, but also the only flat ground suitable for horse racing on Hong Kong Island. To make way for the racecourse, Hong Kong Government prohibited rice growing by villages in the surrounding area. The first race ran in December 1846. Over the years, horse racing became more and more popular among the Chinese residents.
On 26 February, 1918, there was a fire and at least 590 people died. By the next day as many as 576 definite deaths were reported by the Hong Kong Telegraph. It is a fire with one of the highest casualties in Hong Kong history.
The track was rebuilt in 1995, and became a world-class horse racing facility. Several , and fields are encircled by the horseracing track.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club Archive and Museum was set up in 1995 and opened on 18 October 1996. It is now located on the second floor of the Happy Valley Stand of the racecourse.
There are four galleries in the museum:
* The Origin of Our Horses: Shows the migration route horses travelled in the early days from the northern part of China to Hong Kong.
* Shaping Sha Tin: Exhibits the history of construction of Sha Tin Racecourse.
* Understanding Horses: Exhibits the skeleton of the three-time Hong Kong Champion ''Silver Lining''
* Thematic Exhibitions: The history of the Jockey Club is exhibited. Selected charitable organizations and community projects supported by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust are also displayed in this gallery.
There is also a cinema and a souvenir shop in the museum.
History
It was first built in 1845 to provide horse racing for the British people in Hong Kong. Before it was built, the area was a swampland, but also the only flat ground suitable for horse racing on Hong Kong Island. To make way for the racecourse, Hong Kong Government prohibited rice growing by villages in the surrounding area. The first race ran in December 1846. Over the years, horse racing became more and more popular among the Chinese residents.
On 26 February, 1918, there was a fire and at least 590 people died. By the next day as many as 576 definite deaths were reported by the Hong Kong Telegraph. It is a fire with one of the highest casualties in Hong Kong history.
The track was rebuilt in 1995, and became a world-class horse racing facility. Several , and fields are encircled by the horseracing track.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club Archive and Museum
The Hong Kong Jockey Club Archive and Museum was set up in 1995 and opened on 18 October 1996. It is now located on the second floor of the Happy Valley Stand of the racecourse.
There are four galleries in the museum:
* The Origin of Our Horses: Shows the migration route horses travelled in the early days from the northern part of China to Hong Kong.
* Shaping Sha Tin: Exhibits the history of construction of Sha Tin Racecourse.
* Understanding Horses: Exhibits the skeleton of the three-time Hong Kong Champion ''Silver Lining''
* Thematic Exhibitions: The history of the Jockey Club is exhibited. Selected charitable organizations and community projects supported by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust are also displayed in this gallery.
There is also a cinema and a souvenir shop in the museum.
HSBC Main Building, Hong Kong
The HSBC Main Building is the headquarters building of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited in , Hong Kong. It is located along the southern side of Statue Square at the location of the old City Hall, Hong Kong . The previous HSBC building was built in 1935 and pulled down to make way for the current building. The address remains as ''1 Queen's Road Central, Central''. The building can be reached by a 5-minute walk from Exit K of and facing Statue Square.
The first HSBC building was Wardley House, used as HSBC office between 1865 to 1882 on the present site. In 1864 the lease cost $500 a month. After raising a capital of HKD $5 million, the bank opened its door in 1865. It was demolished in 1886 and rebuilt in the same year.
The main feature of the second building design was the division of the structure into two almost separate buildings. The building on Queen's Road Central was in Victorian style with a verandah, colonnades and an octagonal dome, whereas the arcade which harmonized with the adjacent buildings was constructed on Des Voeux Road.
In 1935, the second building was demolished and a third design was erected. The third design used part of the land of the old , and was built with the style. This third building had, for a period of time after completion, been the tallest building between San Francisco and Cairo. During the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong, the building served as the government headquarters. Locally, it was the first building in Hong Kong to be fully .
By the 1970s the bank had outgrown its headquarters; departments were scattered into offices all over Central Hong Kong, and it was obvious that such a "solution" to the space limitations could not continue indefinitely. In 1978 the bank decided to tear down its headquarters and rebuild it again. The building was finished on November 18, 1985. At the time, it was the most expensive building in the world .
The first major addition to the building, designed by Hong Kong's One Space Ltd, was completed on November 23, 2006, in the form of a ground floor lobby that improves security access to the upper floors and creates a prestigious reception area. Its design and construction included the installation of the "Asian Story Wall", a multimedia installation comprised of twin banks of 30 seamless plasma screens displaying archived bank heritage and artworks.
The new building was designed by the British architect and engineers Arup and was constructed by . From the concept to completion, it took 6 years . The building is 180-metres high with 47 storeys and four basement levels. The building has a module design consisting of five steel modules prefabricated in the UK by near Glasgow, and shipped to Hong Kong. 30,000 tonnes of steel and 4,500 tonnes of aluminium were used. It is rumoured that the building's modular design enables it to be dismantled and moved, if there was any possibility of a disrupted to the People's Republic of China.
The new Lobby and its 2-part Asian Story Wall were designed by Greg Pearce, of One Space Limited. Pearce was also the Principal Architect of the Hong Kong Airport Express station. Conceived as a minimalist glass envelope, the new lobby is designed to be deferential to Foster's structure and appears almost to be part of the original.
The building is also one of the few to not have elevators as the primary carrier of building traffic. Instead, elevators only stop every few floors, and floors are interconnected by escalators.
The main characteristic of HSBC Hong Kong headquarters is its absence of internal supporting structure.
Another notable feature is that natural sunlight is the major source of lighting inside the building. There is a bank of giant mirrors at the top of the atrium, which can reflect natural sunlight into the atrium and hence down into the plaza. Through the use of natural sunlight, this design helps to conserve energy. Additionally, sun shades are provided on the external facades to block direct sunlight going into the building and to reduce heat gain. Instead of fresh water, sea water is used as coolant for the air-conditioning system.
All flooring is made from lightweight movable panels, under which lies a comprehensive network of power, telecommunication, and air-conditioning systems. This design allows equipment such as computer terminals to be installed quickly and easily.
Because of the urgency to finish the project, the construction of the building relied heavily on off-site prefabrication; components were manufactured all over the world. For example, the structural steel came from ; the glass, aluminium cladding and flooring came from the United States while the service modules came from Japan.
The inverted ‘va’ segments of the suspension trusses spanning the construction at double-height levels is the most obvious characteristic of the building. It consists of eight groups of four aluminium-clad steel columns which ascend from the foundations up through the core structure, and five levels of triangular suspension trusses which are locked into these masts.
The early British settlers in Hong Kong had an interest in Feng Shui; thus, most of the earliest buildings in Hong Kong, and many buildings constructed thereafter, were built with the philosophies of Feng Shui in mind. The Chinese and even the British believe that those who have a direct view of a body of water--whether it is a river, a sea, or an ocean--are more likely to prosper than those who do not . The HSBC building has a wide open area in front of it, with no other buildings blocking its view of Victoria Harbour; thus, it is considered to have "good feng shui."
Even though the Hong Kong Government is proposing extending the existing coastline further out into the harbour in its latest land reclamation project, it will still set aside space so that no new developments will block the HSBC Building's view of the harbour.
Two bronze lion statues are located in front of the building. The statues were cast in Shanghai in 1935 and brought to Hong Kong. Like the other statues of Statue Square, the two lion statues were displaced to Japan for melting by the then Japanese administration during World War II. They were rediscovered at the end of the war there, and brought back to their original location. Bullet impacts from the Battle of Hong Kong in WWII are still visible on the statues. One of the lion statues had a small explosive embedded in it; it remained undiscovered until the early 1990s, when it was removed by police's explosive unit.
From a "Feng Shui" point of view, the two bronze lion statues in front of the HSBC headquarter are believed to contribute to the steady revenue of the bank. Although even in Asia, not every architect believes in Feng Shui, most of their customers do.
The original pair of lions are kept at a museum in Shanghai. The lions at HSBC Hong Kong Headquarters are the second pair. A third pair is kept in in London, and a fourth pair is located at its in Shanghai.
The left lion is named Stephen, after the general manager of Hong Kong branch A. G. Stephen; and the right is named Stitt, after the general manager of Shanghai branch at the time.
Rumour has it that Stitt used to have its mouth open as well, but this would allow it to "breathe in" the eastern wind, giving it life at night and became a menace to the public. Thus Stitt was recast with its mouth closed.
''See also: Imperial guardian lions''
In 2003, the Hong Kong Tourism Board developed a harbour lighting plan called "A Symphony of Lights" , a large-scale multimedia show featuring lighting, laser, music, and occasionally special pyrotechnics effects during festivals, in order to promote tourism in Hong Kong. The show is based on the illumination of key buildings on the Hong Kong Island side, and is best viewed from the Kowloon side across the Victoria Harbour. The HSBC Hong Kong headquarters building is one of the participating buildings in the show. The building has been installed with 716 intelligent lighting units, including 450 Martin Professional Cyclo 03 colour changing fluorescent fixtures in the glass stairwells, Martin Professional Exterior 600's and Exterior 200 fixtures on five levels, 8 search lights, and over one kilometre of LED lighting around the top. Completed by mid-December 2003, the cost of installation is estimated to be HK$5.5 million.
Intelligent lighting is distributed across six sections of the building:
#Vertical Ladder Trusses
#Exoskeleton: Inner + Outer
#Refuge Floors
#Northwest Stairwell
#Eastern Stairwells
#Roof Building Maintenance Units
HSBC has always aimed to adopt a new lighting scheme because Foster did not pay much attention to the illumination of the building at nighttime.
History
The first HSBC building was Wardley House, used as HSBC office between 1865 to 1882 on the present site. In 1864 the lease cost $500 a month. After raising a capital of HKD $5 million, the bank opened its door in 1865. It was demolished in 1886 and rebuilt in the same year.
The main feature of the second building design was the division of the structure into two almost separate buildings. The building on Queen's Road Central was in Victorian style with a verandah, colonnades and an octagonal dome, whereas the arcade which harmonized with the adjacent buildings was constructed on Des Voeux Road.
In 1935, the second building was demolished and a third design was erected. The third design used part of the land of the old , and was built with the style. This third building had, for a period of time after completion, been the tallest building between San Francisco and Cairo. During the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong, the building served as the government headquarters. Locally, it was the first building in Hong Kong to be fully .
By the 1970s the bank had outgrown its headquarters; departments were scattered into offices all over Central Hong Kong, and it was obvious that such a "solution" to the space limitations could not continue indefinitely. In 1978 the bank decided to tear down its headquarters and rebuild it again. The building was finished on November 18, 1985. At the time, it was the most expensive building in the world .
The first major addition to the building, designed by Hong Kong's One Space Ltd, was completed on November 23, 2006, in the form of a ground floor lobby that improves security access to the upper floors and creates a prestigious reception area. Its design and construction included the installation of the "Asian Story Wall", a multimedia installation comprised of twin banks of 30 seamless plasma screens displaying archived bank heritage and artworks.
Design
The new building was designed by the British architect and engineers Arup and was constructed by . From the concept to completion, it took 6 years . The building is 180-metres high with 47 storeys and four basement levels. The building has a module design consisting of five steel modules prefabricated in the UK by near Glasgow, and shipped to Hong Kong. 30,000 tonnes of steel and 4,500 tonnes of aluminium were used. It is rumoured that the building's modular design enables it to be dismantled and moved, if there was any possibility of a disrupted to the People's Republic of China.
The new Lobby and its 2-part Asian Story Wall were designed by Greg Pearce, of One Space Limited. Pearce was also the Principal Architect of the Hong Kong Airport Express station. Conceived as a minimalist glass envelope, the new lobby is designed to be deferential to Foster's structure and appears almost to be part of the original.
The building is also one of the few to not have elevators as the primary carrier of building traffic. Instead, elevators only stop every few floors, and floors are interconnected by escalators.
Characteristics
The main characteristic of HSBC Hong Kong headquarters is its absence of internal supporting structure.
Another notable feature is that natural sunlight is the major source of lighting inside the building. There is a bank of giant mirrors at the top of the atrium, which can reflect natural sunlight into the atrium and hence down into the plaza. Through the use of natural sunlight, this design helps to conserve energy. Additionally, sun shades are provided on the external facades to block direct sunlight going into the building and to reduce heat gain. Instead of fresh water, sea water is used as coolant for the air-conditioning system.
All flooring is made from lightweight movable panels, under which lies a comprehensive network of power, telecommunication, and air-conditioning systems. This design allows equipment such as computer terminals to be installed quickly and easily.
Because of the urgency to finish the project, the construction of the building relied heavily on off-site prefabrication; components were manufactured all over the world. For example, the structural steel came from ; the glass, aluminium cladding and flooring came from the United States while the service modules came from Japan.
The inverted ‘va’ segments of the suspension trusses spanning the construction at double-height levels is the most obvious characteristic of the building. It consists of eight groups of four aluminium-clad steel columns which ascend from the foundations up through the core structure, and five levels of triangular suspension trusses which are locked into these masts.
Feng Shui
The early British settlers in Hong Kong had an interest in Feng Shui; thus, most of the earliest buildings in Hong Kong, and many buildings constructed thereafter, were built with the philosophies of Feng Shui in mind. The Chinese and even the British believe that those who have a direct view of a body of water--whether it is a river, a sea, or an ocean--are more likely to prosper than those who do not . The HSBC building has a wide open area in front of it, with no other buildings blocking its view of Victoria Harbour; thus, it is considered to have "good feng shui."
Even though the Hong Kong Government is proposing extending the existing coastline further out into the harbour in its latest land reclamation project, it will still set aside space so that no new developments will block the HSBC Building's view of the harbour.
Lion statues
Two bronze lion statues are located in front of the building. The statues were cast in Shanghai in 1935 and brought to Hong Kong. Like the other statues of Statue Square, the two lion statues were displaced to Japan for melting by the then Japanese administration during World War II. They were rediscovered at the end of the war there, and brought back to their original location. Bullet impacts from the Battle of Hong Kong in WWII are still visible on the statues. One of the lion statues had a small explosive embedded in it; it remained undiscovered until the early 1990s, when it was removed by police's explosive unit.
From a "Feng Shui" point of view, the two bronze lion statues in front of the HSBC headquarter are believed to contribute to the steady revenue of the bank. Although even in Asia, not every architect believes in Feng Shui, most of their customers do.
The original pair of lions are kept at a museum in Shanghai. The lions at HSBC Hong Kong Headquarters are the second pair. A third pair is kept in in London, and a fourth pair is located at its in Shanghai.
The left lion is named Stephen, after the general manager of Hong Kong branch A. G. Stephen; and the right is named Stitt, after the general manager of Shanghai branch at the time.
Rumour has it that Stitt used to have its mouth open as well, but this would allow it to "breathe in" the eastern wind, giving it life at night and became a menace to the public. Thus Stitt was recast with its mouth closed.
''See also: Imperial guardian lions''
Lighting scheme
In 2003, the Hong Kong Tourism Board developed a harbour lighting plan called "A Symphony of Lights" , a large-scale multimedia show featuring lighting, laser, music, and occasionally special pyrotechnics effects during festivals, in order to promote tourism in Hong Kong. The show is based on the illumination of key buildings on the Hong Kong Island side, and is best viewed from the Kowloon side across the Victoria Harbour. The HSBC Hong Kong headquarters building is one of the participating buildings in the show. The building has been installed with 716 intelligent lighting units, including 450 Martin Professional Cyclo 03 colour changing fluorescent fixtures in the glass stairwells, Martin Professional Exterior 600's and Exterior 200 fixtures on five levels, 8 search lights, and over one kilometre of LED lighting around the top. Completed by mid-December 2003, the cost of installation is estimated to be HK$5.5 million.
Intelligent lighting is distributed across six sections of the building:
#Vertical Ladder Trusses
#Exoskeleton: Inner + Outer
#Refuge Floors
#Northwest Stairwell
#Eastern Stairwells
#Roof Building Maintenance Units
HSBC has always aimed to adopt a new lighting scheme because Foster did not pay much attention to the illumination of the building at nighttime.
Flagstaff House
The Flagstaff House is the oldest colonial-style building remaining in Hong Kong, China. It is located in 10 Cotton Tree Drive, - within the Hong Kong Park.
It has been a longtime residence of the Commander of the British forces in Hong Kong during . Today Flagstaff House houses the Museum of Tea Ware. The building is a popular setting for wedding photography.
Flagstaff House, which was called Headquarter House until 1932. There is some disagreement as to who designed it, but it was completed in 1846 and initially served as the military headquarters office and residence of the . The site chosen was a small buff above and above Queen's Road, then at the waterfront.
The building was created in . Historians suspect it was designed either by Murdoch Bruce, a Scotsman who was inspector of buildings, or by Lieutenant Bernard Collinson of the . The first occupant was Major-General George Charles D'Aguilar, General Officer Commanding from 1844 to 1846 who also held the post of Lieutenant Governor.
The west and east wings were shelled when the , and it suffered bomb damage. The Japanese repaired it and the Commandant took the building as his residence during .
After the , Flagstaff House was again the Commander's residence until 1978, when the Commander moved to a purpose built house on Barker Road. It was handed over by the military to the civilian Hong Kong Government as part of the surrender of . The Government put it under the responsibility of the in 1981.
The building was in 1989. It was restored as far as possible to its original mid-19th-century appearance, structurally reinforced, and the interior was to be modified so that it could be used as a museum.
In 1984, the Flagstaff House was converted into the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware, a branch museum of the Hong Kong Museum of Art. The museum specializes in the collection, study and display of teaware, including many examples of the Yixing teapot, from China's Jiangsu Province.
A new wing, the K.S. Lo Gallery, was added in 1995. It is named after a local collector, which made a donation to the city in the 1970s. This donation now constitutes the core of the museum's collection. The new gallery contains a collection of and Chinese seals.
It has been a longtime residence of the Commander of the British forces in Hong Kong during . Today Flagstaff House houses the Museum of Tea Ware. The building is a popular setting for wedding photography.
History
Flagstaff House, which was called Headquarter House until 1932. There is some disagreement as to who designed it, but it was completed in 1846 and initially served as the military headquarters office and residence of the . The site chosen was a small buff above and above Queen's Road, then at the waterfront.
The building was created in . Historians suspect it was designed either by Murdoch Bruce, a Scotsman who was inspector of buildings, or by Lieutenant Bernard Collinson of the . The first occupant was Major-General George Charles D'Aguilar, General Officer Commanding from 1844 to 1846 who also held the post of Lieutenant Governor.
The west and east wings were shelled when the , and it suffered bomb damage. The Japanese repaired it and the Commandant took the building as his residence during .
After the , Flagstaff House was again the Commander's residence until 1978, when the Commander moved to a purpose built house on Barker Road. It was handed over by the military to the civilian Hong Kong Government as part of the surrender of . The Government put it under the responsibility of the in 1981.
The building was in 1989. It was restored as far as possible to its original mid-19th-century appearance, structurally reinforced, and the interior was to be modified so that it could be used as a museum.
Museum of Tea Ware
In 1984, the Flagstaff House was converted into the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware, a branch museum of the Hong Kong Museum of Art. The museum specializes in the collection, study and display of teaware, including many examples of the Yixing teapot, from China's Jiangsu Province.
A new wing, the K.S. Lo Gallery, was added in 1995. It is named after a local collector, which made a donation to the city in the 1970s. This donation now constitutes the core of the museum's collection. The new gallery contains a collection of and Chinese seals.
Clock Tower, Hong Kong
The Clock Tower is a landmark in Hong Kong. It is located on the southern shore of Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. It is the only remnant of the original site of the former on the Kowloon-Canton Railway. Officially named Former Kowloon-Canton Railway Clock Tower , it is usually referred to as the Tsim Sha Tsui Clock Tower for its location.
Built out of red bricks and granite, the Clock Tower peaks at 44 metres, and is topped by a 7-metre lightning rod. The top of the tower can be reached by a wooden staircase located within. The interior of Clock Tower had previously been open for visit, but is currently closed for maintenance. The clock tower is located near Victoria Harbour at the foot of . Another landmark, the Tsim Sha Tsui Ferry Pier, is located nearby.
The tower has been listed as a in Hong Kong since 1990.
The plan of Kowloon-Canton Railway was realised in 1904 with its terminus in Tsim Sha Tsui. The railway was inaugurated on 1 October 1910; however, construction of the station did not begin until 1913. Because of World War I, the British materials required for the construction could not be shipped on time, and construction was halted for some time. The part of the station, together with Clock Tower, was completed in 1915, and the whole station 28 March 1916.
The Clock Tower reused the clock from the demolished Pedder Street Clock Tower. However, only one side had a clock, and it was not until 1920 that the remaining three sides of the Clock Tower were installed. They began operation in the afternoon of 22 March 1921, and have run ever since except during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War I.
In 1975, Kowloon Station was moved to the present-day Hung Hom Station on the newly reclaimed Hung Hom Bay. The building of the station was demolished in 1977 despite the protest and petitioning from the Heritage Society and other pressure groups. However, as a compromise it was decided that the Clock Tower was to be preserved, and is now accompanied by the Hong Kong Space Museum, Hong Kong Museum of Art and Hong Kong Cultural Centre, all built on former station grounds.
The bell inside the Clock Tower is currently in the railway depot in Ho Tung Lau.
Built out of red bricks and granite, the Clock Tower peaks at 44 metres, and is topped by a 7-metre lightning rod. The top of the tower can be reached by a wooden staircase located within. The interior of Clock Tower had previously been open for visit, but is currently closed for maintenance. The clock tower is located near Victoria Harbour at the foot of . Another landmark, the Tsim Sha Tsui Ferry Pier, is located nearby.
The tower has been listed as a in Hong Kong since 1990.
History
The plan of Kowloon-Canton Railway was realised in 1904 with its terminus in Tsim Sha Tsui. The railway was inaugurated on 1 October 1910; however, construction of the station did not begin until 1913. Because of World War I, the British materials required for the construction could not be shipped on time, and construction was halted for some time. The part of the station, together with Clock Tower, was completed in 1915, and the whole station 28 March 1916.
The Clock Tower reused the clock from the demolished Pedder Street Clock Tower. However, only one side had a clock, and it was not until 1920 that the remaining three sides of the Clock Tower were installed. They began operation in the afternoon of 22 March 1921, and have run ever since except during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War I.
In 1975, Kowloon Station was moved to the present-day Hung Hom Station on the newly reclaimed Hung Hom Bay. The building of the station was demolished in 1977 despite the protest and petitioning from the Heritage Society and other pressure groups. However, as a compromise it was decided that the Clock Tower was to be preserved, and is now accompanied by the Hong Kong Space Museum, Hong Kong Museum of Art and Hong Kong Cultural Centre, all built on former station grounds.
The bell inside the Clock Tower is currently in the railway depot in Ho Tung Lau.
Gallery
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)