(n)omantic city [2]

Thesis Abstract//
(n)omantic city, non-romantic city.
In a fast pacing city like Hong Kong, it almost feels like a cold-hearted place that gives an impression of coldness. Everything including architecture is highly driven by efficiency, time and money, it is lacking a sense of softness, in particular romance.

Definition//
Romance is a personal feeling, often associated with love and emotion. It is exciting at the same time mystery. I believe that architecture as a background setting may generate an atmosphere for people to experience or to even inspire and ‘spark’ these senses of romance between people.

The romanticism period of architectural history started with excavations and rediscovery of ancient ruins from Roman and Greek Period of antiquity. The purity of these ruins was celebrated as they had meanings of historical events, age and traditional architectural arrangement. Romanticism ‘died’ when the industrial revolution and later on modernism changed the world’s perception of architecture to something highly efficient and functional. Architects’ designs were driven by a very tight schedule with a tight budget. The aesthetics that used to nourish romantic and cultural aspects were no longer top priority of the design.

Focus//
Material here is a key element. New artificial materials like concrete and glasses are rather cruel and brutal, there is no localised identity to the material, which makes one building likes almost like another. The uniqueness of an architectural project no longer exists and creates these repetitious and generic buildings all around the world. On the other hand, natural materials like stone, wood, hand crafted iron can echo the craftsmanship and skilled required by the builders. It is in a way romantic because the quality outcome of the work represents the time and effort that was spent on the piece of work; just like writing a love letter.

London, Paris, Shanghai, Venice, New York are considered as some of the most romantic cities in the world. Yet, some of them have well preserved historical buildings, but some are modernised. It seems that the city does not necessarily have to ‘age’ to be romantic. One element that these cities are that they all have generous public space, not necessarily to be large parks or squares/plazas, but street corners, pedestrian walkways, etc. These spaces, sometimes considered as the ‘wasteful spaces’ do not often have a specific function to the city. Yet they allow people to pause, rest and have a sense of existence and belonging to the city and one may start to appreciate the surroundings and environment. In contrast, Hong Kong’s high density streets-capes creates an atmosphere that is intense and anxious. What can be done to reinvent/ re-introduce the romance back to the cities of Hong Kong?

Methodology//
Specific planning guidance of public spaces of various cities will be studies as precedents. A guidebook / specification will be drafted to accommodate the requirement for ‘romance’ defined by this thesis. Studies on how natural materials can be integrated with the use of modern technology will also be made. Then these specification and studies on materials will be tested on an architectural project, expressing the sense of romance.

Site: not chosen yet.

 

Jacky C.

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