Topic:

Technical Seminar and Webinar on Use of granite in Hong Kong and its exportation in the 19th and 20th Century 

19及20世紀花崗岩石在香港及海外之建築用途

Organizer：

Materials Division

Date, Time & Venue

18 May 2022 (Wednesday). Time: 6:30pm -8:00 pm, at Chan Yat Mei Sophie Room, 9/F of the HKIE Headquarters.

Speaker:

Ir Dr. SW Poon is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Real Estate and Construction, The University of Hong Kong. He is a Chartered Structural Engineer, a Corporate Member of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers and a Member of Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management.

He worked in consulting firms for several years before commencing teaching and research at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, The National University of Singapore and The University of Hong Kong.

His research areas initially include temporary works design and construction, and investigation of accidents and failures during construction. In the last two decades his research interest has focused on historic lighthouses and heritage waterworks.

Programme Highlights

The aim of this talk is to share the findings from the study on the export of Hong Kong’s quality granite in the 19th and 20th century.

In 1844 granite was shipped to China and recorded by the colonial government. During 1850s and 1860s, granite blocks were transported to China, New South Wales, San Francisco and Siam as building materials as well as paving slabs.

In 1852, the Parrott Building in San Francisco was built using Hong Kong granite as the building façade in order to prevent fire. Twenty workers and two supervisors from Hong Kong were also shipped for the erection of this building famous at the time being.

Between 1860 and 1870, granite was quarried in Ngau Tau Kok and Cha Kuo Ling of Kowloon, for the construction of the French Catholic Church in Canton. Dispute was recorded due to the extension in time and the locations quarried.

In 1890, the Gap Rock Lighthouse situated in the Chinese territory was built by a Hong Kong contractor using the granite from Hong Kong.

Between 1928 and 1933, quality granite was chosen as one of the key materials in the projects of The Mausoleum in Nanjing, The Memorial Auditorium and the Memorial Cenotaph in Guangzhou in remembrance of Dr. SUN Yat-sen. These projects were designed by architect LU Yen-chih and constructed partly by contractors from Hong Kong.

The talk will explore the reasons why Hong Kong’s granite, not just being substantially used in local construction, but also exported to China and other countries.

Registration & Enquiries

The talk would be carried out in both physical attendance (max.20) and on Zoom (300 seats) arrangement. Registration is required. Please fill an application form with indicating your attendance preference by 14 May 2022. Confirmation will be made through email by Individual. For enquiry, please contact Ir CS Lam at 91527659. Attendance Certificates will be issued through email within 3 weeks after completion of the seminar. Applicants please fill the HKIE application form at the Registration LINK.