Burra Charter

Haw Par Music

Chan Tsz Fung, Louis 3035796139

Source: HeritageGovHK. 2021.

 Haw Par Mansion & Article 1.2: Cultural significance means aesthetic, historic,
scientific, social or spiritual value for past, present or
Tiger Balm Garden future generations.

Cultural significance

Historic value • Past residence of the Aw Poon

family
• A large-scale popular theme park
in the past

Aesthetic value • A Chinese Eclectic style

• Site= Tiger Balm Garden+ Haw
Par Mansion+ natural landscape

Social value • Collective memory of Tai Hang

residence

Source: Tourism Board. 2022.

 Main principle
‘These places of cultural significance must
be
conserved for present and future
generations
in accordance with the principle of inter-
generational equity.’ -The Burra Charter
2013, Preamble

• Target of adaptive reuse in every aspect

Source: Australia ICOMOS. 2013.

Minimal Intervention
• Preamble: Do as much as necessary to care and make it reusable. Reused architecture
Otherwise, do as little as possible to retain cultural significance
• Article 3.2: Changes to a place should not distort the physical or other
evidence it provides, not be based on, conjecture
• Article 22: New work such as additions or other changes to the place may be
acceptable where it respects and does not distort or obscure the cultural
significance of the place, or detract from its interpretation and appreciation
Haw Par Music
• Re-use the tiger and panther statues and stone bench from
demolished Tiger Balm Garden Source: Louis Chan. 2022.

• Re-construct the images of the Eighteenth Floor of Hell in a

mural painting
• Re-open the mansion as a place for art performances and guided Source:
tours (closed to public in past ) but restrict access to the upper Louis Chan. 2022.
floor

Source: Louis Chan. 2022.

Reflection: Successfully retain the cultural significance
with new user experience and new function
Service-oriented & User-centred Operation
Haw Par Music
Participation
Article 12: Conservation, interpretation and management of a place should
provide for the participation of people for whom the place has
• Heritage dialogues, artefact exhibitions,
significant associations and meanings, or who have social, spiritual or seminars and workshops related to
other cultural responsibilities for the place. heritage conservation
• Music concerts and festivals
Article 24.1: Significant associations between people and a place should be
respected, retained and not obscured. Opportunities for the interpretation,
• Collaboration with singers and social
commemoration and celebration of these associations should be investigated organization
and implemented. • Engaging different stakeholders to
make connections to the place

Preservation
Article 17: Preservation is appropriate where the existing fabric or its • Repair the stained glass moongates
condition constitutes evidence of cultural significance, or where
insufficient evidence is available to allow other conservation processes • Construct building service facilities E.g.
to be carried out. Lifts and fire alarms
Article 26.4: Statements of cultural significance and policy for the
place should be periodically reviewed, and actions and their
consequences monitored to ensure continuing appropriateness and Reflection:
effectiveness. • Lack of promotion
• Over-estimate the local market
for art performances
• Weak public participation
Management (Staff & Feedback)

• Article 26.3: Groups and individuals with associations with the place as well as those
involved in its management should be provided with opportunities to contribute to and
participate in identifying and understanding the cultural significance of the place. Where
appropriate they should also have opportunities to participate in its conservation and
management.
• Article 29: The organisations and individuals responsible for management and decisions
should be named and specific responsibilities are taken for each decision.

Haw Par Music

• Security guards that prevent unauthorized access
• Receptionist A booth was set on LG/F for scanning the LeaveHomeSafe
• Tour Guide/Courier QR code in the past (Source: Louis Chan. 2020.)
• Event organizer and related staff
• Collect feedback through email, telephone and social media
Reflection: Well-allocated human resources
• Staff in charge of pandemic measures has been moved from the LG/F to the main
entrance of Haw Par Mansion due to the less serious pandemic situation
• Allow visitors to enter the garden freely & Enhance the user experience
 Maintenance
Conservation
Routine Treatment in HIA
Maintenance
Article 1.5: Maintenance means the continuous protective care of a
place, and its setting. Maintenance is to be distinguished from repair
which involves restoration or reconstruction.

Article 16: Maintenance is fundamental to conservation. Maintenance

Source: Antiquities and
should be undertaken where fabric is of cultural significance and its Monument Office. 2014.
maintenance is necessary to retain that cultural significance.

Haw Par Music

• Heritage Impact Assessment that includes the procedure Crack on
concrete
and details of repairing work
• Conduct inspections and repair different materials
• Lack of proper maintenance

Source: Louis Chan.

2022.
 Long-term planned maintenance
Article 32: Records Haw Par Music
32.1 The records associated with the conservation of a place should • Heritage Impact Assessment that includes
be placed in a permanent archive and made publicly available, the procedure and details of long-term
subject to requirements of security and privacy, and where this is repair work
culturally appropriate. E.g. Maintenance management plan &
property management proposal
Article 16: Maintenance is fundamental to conservation.
Maintenance should be undertaken where fabric is of cultural
significance and its maintenance is necessary to retain that
cultural significance. Source: Louis Chan. 2022.

Reflection: Poor maintenance

• Some obvious defects on site
• Lack of financial resources to conduct
maintenance work

Water dampness on exterior Water dampness & crack

façade of Haw Par Mansion on back gate
Insufficient financial support
Article 29: The organisations and individuals
responsible for management and decisions
should be named and specific responsibility
taken for each decision.
Article 30: Direction, supervision and
implementation
Competent direction and supervision should
be maintained at all stages, and any changes
should be implemented by people with
30%
appropriate knowledge and skills.

Article 31: Keeping a log Article 34: Resources 0%

New evidence may come to light while Adequate resources should be provided
implementing a policy or a plan for a place. for conservation.
Other factors may arise and require new
decisions. A log of new evidence and
additional decisions should be kept.

Haw Par Music

• has proposed to terminate the tenancy agreement earlier than its expiration on March 31, 2025, amid financial
problems
• Under R-scheme, gov. has subsidised Haw Par Music for 3 years only (no financial aid afterwards)
• Income relies on guided tours, donations, venue rental, sponsorship and programmes (limited revenue)
• Haw Par Music Foundation Limited is a not-for-profit organization (difficult to maintain financial sustainability
itself)
Reference
• Antiquties and Monuments Office. (2014). Heritage Impact
Assessment for Revitalization of Haw Par Mansion into Haw Par
Music Farm. Haw Par Music Foundation Limited. 
• Australia ICOMOS. (2013). The Burra Charter. Australia ICOMOS
Incorporated International Council on Monuments and Sites. 
• Haw Par Music. (n.d.). Retrieved November 11, 2022, from
https://www.hawparmusic.org/