NEW TYPOLOGY OF MIXED-USE RESIDENTIAL BUILDING FOR TEMPLE STREET, HONG KONG, A

Abstract

Temple Street, Hong Kong, characterized by the different types of building found and the varieties of activities that go on at different times of the day, is considered as the center of Yaumatei, which in turn is called the metropolis of Hong Kong. Despite the fact that the 'beauty' of the mix of buildings illustrates Hong Kong's changing urban structure, the existing urban fabric is slowly being eaten up by developers 'pencil blocks' in a piecemeal manner. Behind the thick fapade of the tenement buildings, business such as gambling, prostitution, may be found next door to some religious groups. The interesting mix of people and activities gives Temple Street its uniqueness. Unlike tenement buildings, the modem buildings with 'clean' facades merely serve as residential blocks, without much contribution to the vibrancy of the street. They fulfill the purpose of increasing density and accommodating more people, but lack certain qualities that help to perpetuate the existing activities. The fact that Temple Street is slowly losing its character due to the erection of modem point block towers among the tenement buildings community urges for a solution that satisfies all economical, socio, cultural factors. This thesis aims at designing a new typology of building that satisfies developers' and statutory requirements while at the same time bear qualities that enable the existing activities to occur. Besides being just a normal mixed-use residential building, people such as gambling dens or massage parlours owners may see the possibilities in giving these units a new use.