Matchbox-style schools : a potential standard-design modern architectural heritage

Abstract

School designs in Hong Kong is evolving. Before 1950s, school buildings were mainly constructed with different designs. During the 1950s to 1990s, standard design schools emerged and were constructed in various locations in Hong Kong. Nowadays, school buildings are more tailor-made for different schools having various teaching aims and site conditions. The school designs are changing with the economics and requirements in functionality. Matchbox-style Schools is one of the earliest standard school designs that still exists in Hong Kong. It possesses design characteristics of Modern architecture and could be a potential candidate to be qualified as Hong Kong’s Modern architectural heritage. This kind of design first appeared in 1960s, which is largely neglected by the researchers probably because of this standard-design is notorious for health and safety issues. This dissertation addressed whether the standard design Matchbox-style Schools have potential to be qualified as Modern architectural heritage which deserve timely conservation. The paper will first establish linkage between standard-design schools and Modern architectural heritage. Historical development of Hong Kong’s standard school types in relation to the change in economics and demand of functional requirements for school places will then be described, followed by the identification of Character Defining Elements (CDEs) of the Matchbox-style Schools. Lastly, a list of inventories of currently operating Matchbox-style Schools is compiled and analyzed. The objective of this dissertation is to raise the awareness in conserving the disappearing Matchbox-style Schools in Hong Kong. Another objective is to screen the potential candidates among the existing operating Matchbox-style Schools for future detailed study if the schools are to be included as Modern architectural heritage in Hong Kong.