Hong Kong : Pencil Towers Course

Special Studies in Building Structure

Pencil Towers and the History and Development of the High-Rise

Instructor: Prof. Dr. Chris H. Luebkeman

Course Description
The term high-rise is one which is often used to describe many structures in Hong Kong. One often forgets that it is a term which has always been very time-bound and relative. High-rise structures were once only as tall as the tallest tree that could be scaled. The meaning has increased as home Sapiens learned to utilize materials to build structures. This course is conceived as a seminar; it will depend upon the self-motivated work of the individual student for its success.

The first part of the semester will be spent examining the development of the meaning of the term "high-rise" over time. This will be accomplished through investigations and presentations by individuals and by small groups. The history of the development of technologies which allowed for the progress skyward and the socio-economic factors which provided the impetus for the development should be discovered. Each student will chose a period to analyze the cultural and technological context within which "high-rises" were erected. This will be followed by a visual exploration of high-rise/towers by functional type.

The second part of the semester will be spent investigating the influences on high-rise design and construction in Hong Kong. Small groups will choose one neighborhood within the territory to document, investigate and analyze. One pencil tower will be selected and documented for analysis.

Course Objectives
The primary objective of the seminar is to provide the opportunity for each student to gain insight into the complexity of the interaction of the multitude of factors which have influenced, and continue to influence, the design and construction of high-rise structures. The secondary objective is the documentation and analysis of a small number of pencil towers in Hong Kong. And the tertiary objective is to compile a small documentation that may be utilized by the to serve as a basis for continued examination of the high-rise.

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