Achieving the right balance or falling between two stools : examining adaptive re-use of flatted factory in Hong Kong : a case study analysis of Chai Wan Factory Estate

Abstract

A flatted factory is an industrial building of more than one-story usually subdivided into smaller units for multiple occupations, for example, manufacturing and assembly. In Hong Kong, the history of the flatted factory can be traced back to 1950s. The first-generation flatted factory buildings, also known as a factory estate, were constructed for both housing and manufacturing purposes. It witnessed the socio-economic history and the development of industry in Hong Kong in the post-war period, which is a valuable heritage. Since 1990s, the deindustrialization in Hong Kong leads to demolition of or vacancy in the old flatted factory. The only remaining H-shaped flatted factory is Chai Wan Factory Estate (CWFE), which was granted as Grade II historic building in 2013. To preserve this valuable heritage, the adaptive re-use that can reinforce and enhance the cultural significance while develop creative and sustainable use of historic place is particularly significant. This study aims at providing a better understanding on how to manage the change of use of the flatted factory for accommodation purpose. It examines the background of the first-generation flatted factory in Hong Kong to give a sense of what are the cultural significances of it and what are the character-defining elements manifest them. CWFE is chosen as a case study. Based on the findings in the case study, the paper then provides analysis on limitations and opportunities of the adaptive re-use of flatted factory, and argues whether reusing the flatted factory for accommodation purpose is a constructive conservation or not. Then, the factors that precipitate the limitations are addressed and the paper argues whether inefficient management is the key factor of it. Finally, recommendations on how to manage the change of use of the flatted factory in residential use are given, along with the conclusion on the arguments.