Study Buddy (Challenger): ‘Unique’ former Hong Kong village school set for demolition

[2] Sze Shan Public School features light green terrazzo similar to that in the Central Market and the Old Wanchai Market Building. Both markets are classified as grade three historic buildings and were revitalised for public and commercial use. Both buildings are on Hong Kong Island. The school was also built in the same year as the State Theatre in North Point, a grade one historic building. Yet, it faces demolition. “It’s a pity that this has somehow been overlooked,” said Dr Prudence Lau Leung-kwok, a professor specialising in cultural heritage and Hong Kong architectural history.

[3] But gradings give buildings no protection against alteration or demolition – only declared monuments are shielded. Before the Sze Shan Public School closed in 1993 – because of low student enrolment – it served as a primary school for 41 years. The future of the school building has been on the line for years, but new signs of construction appeared around it last month, spurring Lau and other experts into action. Lau is a founding member of the Hong Kong chapter of Docomomo – a non-profit international organisation dedicated to documenting and conserving modern architecture.

[4] Wendy Ng Wan-yee, president of the Hong Kong Institute of Architectural Conservationists, said that the Sze Shan Public School is a “really unique and rare” architectural specimen. It is a two-storey Hong Kong village school built in the Streamline Moderne style, while other examples are “usually much smaller in scale and very modest in design, just a square box with little architectural decoration,” she said.

[5] The school building has the same curved interior and exterior lines and rounded corners as the Central Market and the Old Wanchai Market Building, and its staircase is the same colour as the grand staircase at the former. “The markets are promoted by the Hong Kong Tourism Board. If those markets can be preserved, why can’t this school?” Lau said.

[6] Streamline Moderne arose in the 1930s as an offshoot of the art deco style – short for arts décoratifs (“decorative arts” in French) – that emerged in Paris in the 1910s and earned its name in 1925. Lau said this year being the 100th anniversary of art deco is all the more reason to save the former village school from oblivion.

[7] In a statement to the South China Morning Post, the Antiquities Advisory Board said the former school was being demolished to allow public housing construction. Retaining the school building would increase the cost and duration of the project substantially, it said. The board promised to document the former village school by taking “photographs, videos and survey and mapping records” and ensuring the plaques outside the premises and parts of the demolished building are properly stored.

Source: South China Morning Post, March 4

1. According to paragraph 1, which architectural style does the Sze Shan Public School feature? Name two things that influenced the style. (3 marks)

2. In paragraph 2, the writer mentioned the Central Market and Old Wanchai Market buildings to …
A. highlight Sze Shan Public School’s architectural uniqueness by contrasting it with the markets’ commercial nature.
B. draw attention to the shared historical grade and successful revitalisation of other buildings with similar architectural features.
C. to establish a timeline of Hong Kong’s architectural development and how buildings from different time periods should be conserved.
D. all of the above

3. What does “this” in paragraph 2 refer to?

4. What is the difference between graded buildings and declared monuments in Hong Kong, according to paragraph 3?

5. Find a phrase in paragraph 3 that refers to something being “at risk of being lost or destroyed”.

6. According to Ng in paragraph 4, Sze Shan Public School is a “really unique and rare” architectural specimen because of its …
A. interior decorations.
B. location.
C. size.
D. use of materials.

7. What architectural features does the Sze Shan Public School share with the Central Market and the Old Wanchai Market Building, according to paragraph 5?

8. Based on paragraph 6, Streamline Moderne … arts décoratifs.
A. gave rise to
B. is not related to
C. branched out from
D. none of the above

9. Based on your understanding of paragraph 7, what is being prioritised and why?

1. The Sze Shan Public School is an example of the Streamline Moderne architectural style. The style’s key influences or inspirations were automation and aerodynamics.
2. B
3. The fact that although Sze Shan Public School features light green terrazzo similar to that in the Central Market and the Old Wanchai Market Building and was built the same year as the State Theatre, it hasn’t received the same recognition as these buildings and faces demolition. (accept all reasonable answers)
4. Graded buildings have no legal protection against alteration or demolition, while declared monuments are legally protected.
5. on the line
6. C
7. All three buildings have the same curved interior and exterior lines and rounded corners.
8. C
9. Public housing. If the building’s preservation were prioritised, then the cost and time needed to construct public housing would increase. (accept all similar answers)