The talk uses the Public Works Department-designed public markets as a point of entry to analyze the gradual transition from classical to modern architecture style. The construction of modern-style buildings, which required modest capital expenditure, was a thoughtful response to Hong Kong’s post-war social conditions and financial reality. The talk outlines the chronological development of public markets, from simple open-type market sheds and small enclosed market houses to multi-story modern buildings containing a full range of amenities; systematically tracking the social imperative trajectory that modernized the public market.

Theme｜“The Modernist Markets in Hong Kong

Speaker｜Dr. Carmen TSUI (Associate Professor in the Department of History at Lingnan University)

Moderator｜HC CHAN (Director of HKAC)

Venue｜1/F Legacy Hall, Central Market

Language｜Cantonese

Online application｜https://forms.gle/rch9hae1uJi2uH6n7

Enquiries｜2805 7146 / info@archicentre.hk