Sai Ying Pun Community Complex

Sai Ying Pun Community Complex
rehabilitation of the old mental hospital, Hong Kong.

.	Notable Features	.	References	.
.	Basic Information	.	New Facade	.
.	History of the Building	.	Junction with New Building	.
.	Description of the Building	.	Arcades	.
.	Overview of the new Building	.		.
.		.		.

Notable Features
.
	Reuse of the existing building facade, avoiding total demolition of the building and minimizing the generation of demolition waste.
	Rehabilitation and revitalization of the street and the district of Sai Ying Pun.
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.
Basic Information
.
	Location: Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong
	Architects: Architectural Services Department
	Structural Engineer: Mouchel Asia
	E&M Engineer: Architectural Services Department
	Contractor: Gammon Construction Ltd.
	Quantity surveyor: Architectural Services Department
	Date of original building construction: 1891
	Project and construction date: 2001
	Architect of origin: Henry H Richardson
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.
History of the Building
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Built in 1891, the building was used as a nurses’ quarter until the Second World War. It was turned into a mental hospital after the war and continued to function as such until 1962, and switched back to out patient services until 1971. The building remained unoccupied and fell into disrepair and was badly ruined by two fires.
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Description of the Building
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The original north façade had 18 arches with a pediment marking the middle and turrets at the ends to form a classically proportioned structure. Six more arches were added during the extension uphill. The asymmetry arising from its location on the sloping High Street was skillfully balanced out by the use of a stone plinth to lift the verandah off the street to present a gradation of rhythm.
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Overview of the new Building
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The building was the only specimen of its kind in Hong Kong, but the interior was in a very bad condition after being left vacant for so long. Fire had destroyed much of it and the roof had collapsed. Therefore the option of keeping the existing façade and constructing a new building was considered. This approach and the site conditions allowed the construction of a larger building (taller and wider than the original one) providing space and flexibility for the new functions and new requirements. It avoids total demolition of the building and enhances historical heritage and vitality to the district of Sai Ying Pun. Preserving the façade affected the construction of the community complex behind because it stood in the way of the site access. There was also concern that the façade might collapse when its derelict portion was being demolished. To prevent this, the cross walls were demolished in stages, but this further reduced the amount of room available for construction of the new building. Both temporary and permanent ties were also used to hold the façade in place. Differential settlement was also a potential concern as the façade stood on a much shallower foundation. Repair works were carried out and the original first floor slab was demolished and replaced with a concrete slab fixed with resin anchor bars.
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References

	Rehabilitation, building Journal:
.	http://www.building.com.hk/features/ more/syp/index.html

New Facade

Junction with New Building

Arcades


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