I went back to the Blue house for more sketching today. Glad to also had a guided tour conducted by the Wanchai livelihood museum which was next to this deserted old unit. Apparently the government could not locate the original owner of his house so it has been locked up and left empty before the major renovation next year. A single unit like this could house many families during the 1920s when it was first built.
This building has no flushing toilet so strange numbers were written on the risers of the staircase in order for the night-soil man to remember how many potties each house has. He comes at midnight to every household to remove their potties. Not a job for the faint hearted.
Great studies, Paul! Your sketches are a fine visual recording of this classic old Hong Kong building. There's a real feeling of its' 'spirit' in your studies. Do as many as you can, before they "upgrade" it next year, and that spirit is lost forever.
ReplyDeletelove the use of yellow although it is a blue house. lively!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWow these are great esp the one of the cashier machine... a classic!