Zheng Zhenyang (Tugo) is an architect and photographer. Deeply interested in conservation issues, he loves to wander among local historical buildings and capture the bricks and tiles under the light and shadow with his camera. Having witnessed the demolition of many landmarks with historical value, Tugo firmly believes that “conservation” is not only about preserving old buildings, but also requires people’s participation and revitalization. “Not only preservation, but also conservation.” He hopes that the government can provide more incentives to encourage private owners to preserve properties with historical significance.
At the end of last month, Tugo led a photography workshop on historical buildings in the Central and Western District, trying to tell the story of historical buildings through the lens. The workshop was held on a Saturday afternoon. More than 20 participants came to Tai Kwun, a complex of buildings including the former Victoria Prison, with their “long guns and short cannons” to start a four-hour guided tour of the Central and Western District.
The Central and Western District Historic Architecture Photography Workshop Route takes Tai Kwun as the first stop, where Cheng Chun-yang (middle) shares architectural photography techniques.
The former Victoria Prison complex is rich in color and texture. Zheng Zhenyang used the combination of light and shadow to create a composition with sharp lines.Provided by interviewees
Located in the former Victoria Prison complex in Tai Kwun, Cheng Chun-yang used the lines and light of the buildings, coupled with ingenious compositions, to capture the texture of the historical buildings.Provided by interviewees
Tugo explains the architectural features while sharing his experience in architectural photography. Walking to the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong (Bridges Street Club) built in 1918, Tugo pointed out that the red-walled building was covered with some green bricks and tiles, and these red bricks and green tiles were an eclectic architectural feature, blending Eastern and Western elements. This building has just been upgraded from a first-class historical building to a statutory monument. “Historic buildings are not just works of art for appreciation, but require people’s participation and activation. In addition to preserving the building itself, successful conservation must also be people-centered. A delicate balance is struck between new elements.”
Zheng Zhenyang used the glass curtain wall to reflect the Tai Kwun building complex, reflecting Hong Kong’s high-density planning and the strong contrast between old and new buildings.Provided by interviewees
In 2015, Zheng Zhenyang won first place in the natural category of the National Geographic Global Photography Contest for his paintings-like landscapes in the Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang.
Tugo, who was born in the 1980s, has won many international awards, including first place in the nature category of the 2015 National Geographic Global Photography Competition. In recent years, he has been focusing on organizing art photography exhibitions, design or art projects, and will publish a new photography book next year. After graduating from the Department of Architecture at the University of Hong Kong, he went to study at the University of Cambridge in the UK. His master’s thesis that year was on Hong Kong’s architectural conservation policy, but what really sparked his interest in conservation was the conservation project he participated in after graduation: “Involving a Victorian The building was more challenging than I thought. The owner wanted a very modern residence, so we built a glass-walled house at the back (of the building) while retaining the Victorian facade in the front.” Tugo believes that in One of the keys to building conservation in Hong Kong still lies in the attitude of the owners.
Ho Tung Gardens was rated as a Grade I historic building, but the owner insisted on demolishing and rebuilding it, and it eventually disappeared. Photo by Felix Wong/South China Morning Post via Getty Images
Ho Tung Gardens and AIA Building were demolished
Tugo continued that Ho Tung Gardens is an example of the dispute between property owners and the government. In 2010, Ho Tung Gardens was rated as a Grade I historic building, but the owner, Ho Tung’s granddaughter Ho Mian-kwan, insisted on demolishing and rebuilding it. The government once listed it as a tentative historic site in an effort to preserve it. After four years of controversy, Ho Tung Gardens was finally demolished in December 2014, and the ownership was resold for NT$5.1 billion. Tugo emphasized that although collective memories need to be considered, the feelings of those who are more personal and live inside should also be taken into account, so that the demands of different stakeholders can be responded to.
Tugo feels that it would be a pity for some distinctive and elegant buildings to be demolished even if they are not graded. For example, the AIA Building on Stubbs Road has been demolished and rebuilt in recent years. “The architect is Mr. Kinoshita who designed Jardine House, which is a landmark of modernist architecture in Hong Kong. I like this building very much, but I feel it is a pity that it has been demolished.” .”
The AIA Building on Stubbs Road in Wan Chai, completed in 1969, was demolished and rebuilt in recent years and was not rated before.Wikipedia images
Since the incidents of defending the Star Pier and Queen’s Pier in 2006 and 2007, architectural conservation has begun to enter the social agenda. Tugo also feels that the overall awareness of conservation in society has increased in recent years. He believes that this is not only due to the popularization of education, but also related to Hong Kong people’s sense of belonging and identity in Hong Kong. “More people appreciate some old buildings. But what I see people appreciate are usually the old buildings that have been renovated (restored). Just now (guided tour) Wah Yin Fong West (nine restored old buildings), before the URA It is so rotten that you are afraid of collapse even when you walk in. After the renovation, you will see the original architectural features, but also new, upgraded, and organized things. Conservation does not mean just leaving it here if it is not demolished. Conservation means not only preserving, Still need to educate.”
The West Tang Building in Huaxianfang has a history of more than 60 years and was in dilapidated condition before conservation.URA pictures
At present, the restoration of Wah Yin Fong West House has been completed. In February this year, the URA stated that it would introduce a co-living plan and recruit an operating agency to manage it.URA pictures
Promote the provision of technical support for conservation
However, “education” is not easy. Tugo noticed that when privately owned historical buildings in foreign countries are rated, they will regard it as an honor. However, this is not the case in Hong Kong. If the building is rated historically or even becomes a statutory monument, it will be difficult or impossible for the owner to sell it, so sometimes the owner will not want to Buildings are rated. According to Tugo’s observation, retaining the building’s facade requires considerable time and effort, both in terms of hiring consultants and engineering work to temporarily support the building. “So I don’t think the current incentives (provided by the government) are enough. In theory, the government is not painful. I’m not giving you money.” Tugo suggested that the government could consider relaxing some plot ratios in exchange for owners to conserve buildings. In addition, it is necessary to Providing technical support, “We asked some consultants to come back from the UK at that time. Even those who lay bricks and even those who started doing things, we specially invited them back from the UK.”
The Hong Kong Museum of Medicine, located in Kin Lane, Sheung Wan, was formerly the Hong Kong Bacteriological Laboratory established in 1906 to deal with the plague. It is now a declared monument. Cheng Chun-yang said that the bricks needed for the brick wall repairs had to be found in the UK.
Tugo, who is both an architect and a photographer, revealed later in the interview that he is also a licensed mediator. No wonder he attaches great importance to balancing the views of all parties: “The key is to have a compromise mind when doing conservation. Where feasible and feasible, Protect the most things within a framework that satisfies everyone.”
Hong Kong Photography Competition 2023 Organized by National Geographic Magazine, the “Historic Buildings” category was added this year. The conference pointed out that historical buildings are not only urban landscapes, but also collective memories for Hong Kong people. They hope to deepen their understanding of Hong Kong’s history and culture from different angles through the eyes of photographers.
Sponsor: National Geographic Magazine
Registration period: now to December 5
Competition categories: landscape, ecology, city, people, historical buildings*, mobile phone category
*This is a new category this year; the definition of historic buildings: statutory monuments or historic buildings rated as Grade 1, 2 or 3 by the Antiquities Advisory Council
Awards: The winning works will have the opportunity to be published in the Chinese version of National Geographic magazine and displayed in public exhibitions
Submission date: now to December 5, 2023
The 4-hour workshop concluded with the “High Street Haunted House” in Sai Ying Pun. This building was formerly a medical dormitory and mental hospital. It was listed as a statutory monument in 2015, and the Baroque-style building facade has been preserved.
2023-11-14 10:55:00
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