Kw c Report 080123

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

1/68

K O W L O O N W A L L E D C I

study ofa c c r e t i

ARCH 392 | assignment 01Narrative

Taken from documented lives within Kowloon Walled City (KWC), the narrative demonstrates

ow both the design of the city and the daily lives of its inhabitants were results of a

trong pattern of accretion.

overlapping weaving stacked shared

Spaces and experiences are closely related to one another through the existence within

he boundaries of KWC.

Regional Context | Site Plan

Providing information concerning location, size and scale, the context is an important introduction into theocial-political history behind the growth of KWC.

Brief History | Population Growth

The history of KWC was represented as a means of studying the pattern of accretion. It includes the factors which led

o a dramatic increase in populationwithin the city walls. The political interest -or lack thereof- in Kowloon City, created

he perfect environment by which an anarchical, multi-celled organism could evolve and flourish.

Structure|Evolution andAccretion

The evolution of Kowloon was also documented through the growth and infill of its buildings. Concrete and steel struc-

ures served as the basic frameworkfor the creation of a dense city fabric built on the personal contributions of the

nhabitants. The mazelike connections through multiple floors between buildings resulted in one large agglomeration

f additions built within the original frame. These additions were the most obvious form of accretion and can easily

e dissected into a kit of parts forming anything from a balcony to additional stories on top of an existing building.

Structure |Lighting Study

A Daylight 1-2-3 simulation accompanied by a SketchUp shadow study illustrates how little sunlight penetrated

eyond the perimeter of KWC. Circulation spaces were lit by streetlamps during all hours of the day, while less than

quarter of the residences had access to any source of natural light.

Density | Unit-Building -City

Comparing the extreme density of KWC on multiple scales, illustrates a quantitative, multidimensional study of living

onditions. Space had been sacrificed as the rate of accretion increased to a final peak in 1986. This became the

oint when the commercial, residential and institutional activities of the 50 000 person city were no longer manageable

within the 24 000 sm site. The final density of KWC measured 1.9 million people per km2, with each person having

ttle more than 2 sm of living space.

Services |Water-Electricity - Plumbing - Telecommunications

The ad hoc growth of the city, resulted in services being installed post factum. As the new structures appeared, they

equired new connections to existing infrastructure. The circulation space was thus the main space to make these

onnections. Water pipes, electrical cables, sewer, and telecom. allintertwined through the interior pathwaysof the

ity. The only source of potable water within the site, was a single well. Circulation itself rarely extended the entire

eight of a single building, but provided lateral connections though KWC, connecting 2-3 floors at a time over a range

f buildings. At the same time, it demonstrating the step bystep construction of the city over time.

Living City|Layers of Existence

The density and means of dwelling were such intricate city systems that as a whole, they adopted a lifelike complexity.

Understanding the units each as having a relationship to one another, while fulfilling a higher order is what the

ectional study illustrates. Every feature within Kowloon Walled City from the dimensions and adjacencies of each

nit to the overall systems and communal spaces- had been personally suited to the functions of its inhabitants and to

etter serve the functionality of KWC.

Narrative |Revisted

We leave Kowloon Walled City with the memory of life it had not only contained, but had grew to become:

an absolute representation of an unrelenting pattern of accretion

summ

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

2/68



Geoffrey ChrSarah E

Meghan GalacKatia Issa

Katie K

ARCH 392 | assignment 01

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

3/68

Hak Nam | Kowloon Walled City | Hong K

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

4/68



Geoffrey ChrSarah E

Meghan GalacKatia Issa

Katie K

ARCH 392 | assignment 01

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

5/68



ARCH 392 | assignment 01Narrative

Taken from documented lives within Kowloon Walled City (KWC), the narrative demonstrates

ow both the design of the city and the daily lives of its inhabitants were results of a

trong pattern of accretion.

overlapping weaving stacked shared

Spaces and experiences are closely related to one another through the existence within

he boundaries of KWC.

Regional Context | Site Plan

Providing information concerning location, size and scale, the context is an important introduction into theocial-political history behind the growth of KWC.

Brief History | Population Growth

The history of KWC was represented as a means of studying the pattern of accretion. It includes the factors which led

o a dramatic increase in populationwithin the city walls. The political interest -or lack thereof- in Kowloon City, created

he perfect environment by which an anarchical, multi-celled organism could evolve and flourish.

Structure|Evolution andAccretion

The evolution of Kowloon was also documented through the growth and infill of its buildings. Concrete and steel struc-

ures served as the basic frameworkfor the creation of a dense city fabric built on the personal contributions of the

nhabitants. The mazelike connections through multiple floors between buildings resulted in one large agglomeration

f additions built within the original frame. These additions were the most obvious form of accretion and can easily

e dissected into a kit of parts forming anything from a balcony to additional stories on top of an existing building.

Structure |Lighting Study

A Daylight 1-2-3 simulation accompanied by a SketchUp shadow study illustrates how little sunlight penetrated

eyond the perimeter of KWC. Circulation spaces were lit by streetlamps during all hours of the day, while less than

quarter of the residences had access to any source of natural light.

Density | Unit-Building -City

Comparing the extreme density of KWC on multiple scales, illustrates a quantitative, multidimensional study of living

onditions. Space had been sacrificed as the rate of accretion increased to a final peak in 1986. This became the

oint when the commercial, residential and institutional activities of the 50 000 person city were no longer manageable

within the 24 000 sm site. The final density of KWC measured 1.9 million people per km2, with each person having

ttle more than 2 sm of living space.

Services |Water-Electricity - Plumbing - Telecommunications

The ad hoc growth of the city, resulted in services being installed post factum. As the new structures appeared, they

equired new connections to existing infrastructure. The circulation space was thus the main space to make these

onnections. Water pipes, electrical cables, sewer, and telecom. allintertwined through the interior pathwaysof the

ity. The only source of potable water within the site, was a single well. Circulation itself rarely extended the entire

eight of a single building, but provided lateral connections though KWC, connecting 2-3 floors at a time over a range

f buildings. At the same time, it demonstrating the step bystep construction of the city over time.

Living City|Layers of Existence

The density and means of dwelling were such intricate city systems that as a whole, they adopted a lifelike complexity.

Understanding the units each as having a relationship to one another, while fulfilling a higher order is what the

ectional study illustrates. Every feature within Kowloon Walled City from the dimensions and adjacencies of each

nit to the overall systems and communal spaces- had been personally suited to the functions of its inhabitants and to

etter serve the functionality of KWC.

Narrative |Revisted

We leave Kowloon Walled City with the memory of life it had not only contained, but had grew to become:

an absolute representation of an unrelenting pattern of accretion

summ

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

6/68

Hak Nam | Kowloon Walled City | Hong K

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

7/68

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

8/68

This is Chau Sau Yee

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

9/68

He sells baked goods along Tung Tau Tsu

Road in front of the Chung Fat Caf.

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

10/68

His small stall offers a variety of traditiona

cakes, as well as internationally inspired

baked goods. Using flour imported from th

USA, Thailand, Holland and Korea, Chaus

stall is popular with the local factory

workers.

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

11/68

This is Ng Kam Mui

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

12/68

He has dined at the Chung Fat Caf ever

day for thirty years.

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

13/68

After his tea and portion of glazed pig he

goes back upstairs and continues

processing his minced fish.

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

14/68

This is Lam Leung Po

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

15/68

He is the owner of the minced

fish processing factory above the

Caf.

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

16/68

His business sells minced fish

to over 200 shops, fishballs to

50 places, and squidballs to 100

shops outside the city.

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

17/68

This is Ho Chi Kam

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

18/68

He is the local barber and cuts

the hair of most of Lams

workers from downstairs.

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

19/68

Opening everyday at 9 am,

the shop offers cheap cuts an

shampoos, often causing a

queue to start down the hall.

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

20/68

This is Kwok Lau Kam

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

21/68

Everyday after school,

she waits for her father

to finish cutting hair, sh

plays with her friends,

on one of the citys ma

rooftops.

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

22/68

Amid a network of

antenna and clothes lin

she finds the perfect pl

to observe her city, the

walled city of Kowloon.

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

23/68

This is her city, Kowloon Walled C

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

24/68

Context | Hong Ko

Kowloon Province

Hong Kong Island

Lantau Island

Yuen Long

Tai Po

Sheung Shui

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

25/68

Context | Kowloon Prov

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

26/68

Context | Kowloon Walled

200m

120m

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

27/68

What fascinates about the Walled City is that, for all its horrible shortcomings, its builders and

residents succeeded in creating what modern architects, with all their resources of money and ex-

pertise, have failed to: the city as organic megastructure, not set rigidly for a lifetime, but continu-

ally responsive to the changing requirements of its users, fulfilling every need from water supply

to religion, yet providing also the warmth and intimacy of a single huge household.

Peter Popham

Introduction from City of Darkness, by Greg Girard and Ian Lambot

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

28/68

KWC |A Brief His

1668

Chinese Signal Station

Established

1810

Small Fort built

1847

Construction of a walled

city mounted with canon.

1842-1842

Hong Kong is occupied by

British. Kowloon remains

under control of China.

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

29/68

KWC |A Brief His

1884

Officials warn of a rise in

the Triad Society.

1899

British forces attack and occupy

Kowloon Walled city. The City

begins to fall into squalor.

Population estimated at 750

1947

Rise of triads, heroine divans,

and casinos.

Population estimated at 2,000.

Hong Kong tries to expel them.

1940

Most buildings demolished

for sanitary reasons

1906

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

30/68

KWC |A Brief His

1963

Squatter huts begin to be

replaced by high rise buildings.

Population is estimated at 5000

1973-1974

Police halt triad activities with

over 3,000 raids.

Population estimated at 10,0001993

Demolition and creaton of a park.

1984

Decision made to demolish entire

city. KWC has a lower crime rate

then surrouding Hong Kong.

Population of 35,000-50,000

1973 199

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

31/68

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

32/68

Structure| Disecting the Citysc

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

33/68

Stage

0

Structure| The Evolution of the Citysc

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

34/68

Stage

0


8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

35/68

Stage

0


8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

36/68

Structure|| UA Unit in Connit in Con

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

37/68

Structure| A Study of Day

orth East South West

ue to the density of KWC, the unplanned nature of the city itself and a serious absence of open public spa

ht is unable to permeate past the exterior units. This creates a dark, unpleasant interior condition,

cessitating a total reliance on artificial lighting.

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

38/68

Structure| A Study of Day

Day lighting within the Yaay lighting Study of the city as a whole

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

39/68

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

40/68

Structure| The Evolution of the Fac

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

41/68

Structure|| The Evolution of the FacThe Evolution of the Fac

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

42/68

Structure| The Evolution of the Fac

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

44/68

Structure| An malgamation of Pn Amalgamation of P

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

45/68

MTW

40

.075

3

3

USA

120

.025

18.5

1

KWC

6.5*

.50

1

20

area (sm)

density (ppl/sm)

AREA RATIO

DENSITY RATIO

KOWLOON WALLED CITY

MA TAU WAI ESTATE

TYPICAL AMERICAN UNIT 01

1. square footage based on information provided by http://www.fas.usda.gov/info/agexporter/2001/jan/China.htmconsiders residential floor area only

ensity| Apartment Unit

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

46/68

population

area (sm)

density (ppl/ sm)

KWC

16 900

2 720

.16

Kowloon Walled Cityvs. Mau Tau Wai EsPublic Rental Housing, Hong

OTAL BUILDING AREA1:1

1x16 90016 x1040smper bldgtal 16 900 sm

OPULATION1:1

tal: 1200 ppl 1x12007 x 170 ppl per bldg

ENSITY RATIO 2.5 : 1 MTW

16 900

1200

.07

DENSITY RATIO 2.5 1

ensity| Apartment Building

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

47/68

KWC

4530

1

density(ppl/ km2)

DENSITY RATIO

KOWLOON DISTRIT

52 220

12

HONG KONG

900 000

420

DENSITY RATIO1:12:

DENSITYx1000 ppl/ km2

Kowloon Walled City

Hong Kong

Kowloon District

10 20 30 40 50 600

KWC

4530

1

ens ty(ppl/

DENSITY RATIO

KOWLOON DISTRIT

52 220

12

NG KONG

900 000

0

)

ensity| Regional

KWC HONG KONG

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

48/68

Servicing a City| Circula

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

49/68

Servicing a City| W

2.3m

2.5m

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

50/68

Servicing a City| Communica

2.3m

2.5m

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

51/68

A Living City| Dissecting the Inte

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

52/68

ALiving City| Sectional S

View

0

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

53/68

View

0


8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

54/68

View

0


8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

55/68

Remember Kwok Lau K

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

56/68

This is Chung Lo Ying

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

57/68

He is Kwoks cousin and lives

with the rest of his family in a fl

on Lung Chun Road overlooki

the park.

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

58/68

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

59/68

This is Law Yu Yi

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

60/68

The Ying family, across

hall, delivers tea, meat a

rice to her every week.

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

61/68

After sharing a daily tea w

her friend, she walks ove

to the Old Peoples Cente

near the Yamen.

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

62/68

This is Min Yip Lam

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

63/68

She is Laws sons assis

now working in his medic

practice for over ten yea

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

64/68

The clinic treats mostly

common illnesses, cateri

to the health needs of ma

of Kowloons factory

workers.

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

65/68

This Kwok Tsang Ming

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

66/68

He visited the doctors

clinic a few weeks ago

his lunch break from hi

work at the fishball fact

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

67/68

Everyday, like Kwok, th

city continues to functio

living, breathing,

producing.

8/12/2019 Kw c Report 080123

68/68

This was his city, Kowloon Walled City

Documents

Kw c Report 080123