The spirit of a market : investigating the spirit of place of Tang Lung Chau Market, Hong Kong

Abstract

This dissertation examines the spirit of place of a Hong Kong market by examining the case study of Tang Lung Chau Market. This is a Bauhaus four-story market building with a functionalist façades characteristic of Early Modernism and built in March 1963. Since it started operation in the 1960s, little about the physical market has changed over time. However, in the beginning of the 21st century, changes in shopping habits and lifestyle are increasingly threatening the traditional operation of the market, it stands half-deserted and may have to face closure and demolition. At present, most of the historical buildings that have been graded in Hong Kong are from the Antiquities Advisory Boards 1444 historical buildings assessment since 2005. At the time, the assessment mainly focused on buildings constructed before 1950 and buildings after this arbitrarily determined cut-off date were ignored. Hence, the assessment guidelines are outdated as they neglect post-war architecture because the lack of historic association and functional design lead to the assumption that they are lacking in historic and architectural values and therefore unworthy of conservation. However, the buildings of the 1950s and 1960s is closely related to the unique post-war social environment of Hong Kong, and in particular the post-war market buildings of this period where their association with the communities that they serve create the spirit of place that gives rise to their heritage significance. Given the issue above, this dissertation focuses on identifying the spirit of place of Tang Lung Chau Market by examining the building’s social history and the life that goes on through its market operation. This spirit of place can serve as the basis for the market’s future conservation, which is not less about conserving the lifeless architectural body of the market but more about sustaining the lively spirit of the market that gives the place its soul and spirit.