Conservation Management Plan for

North Kowloon Group 3

BANGOLAN, REYLAN R.
CALUPAS, SUMMER JADE
PACER, CHARLOTTE B.
RODELAS, ZENNAH MAE K.

Magistracy CUSTODIO, KYLA JUSTINE

• It was a reinforced concrete structure with granite ashlar blocks • seven-storey historic building comprises a series of tall narrow
forming the base walls on the lower ground floor, and a central windows symmetrically designed on the main elevation
light well from the third to the fifth floors originally designed to dominating the front façade with neo-Classical architectural
draw natural light to the central staircase on the second floor. features with moulded door cases.
 HISTORICAL
BACKGROUND
• Pre-1942: Two magistracies handled Kowloon offenses. One,
located on Shanghai Street, was demolished in 1957. The other, in
Gascoigne Road (built in 1936), became the South Kowloon
District Court in 1957.

• 1960: To meet growing needs, the North Kowloon Magistracy

was constructed on Tai Po Road. Designed by Palmer & Turner
Architects, the seven-story building became a busy courthouse.

• 2000: With the closure of the Gascoigne Road courthouse, North

Kowloon became the sole judicial court handling Kowloon
offenses.

• 2005: In a government consolidation effort, the North Kowloon

Magistracy closed. Its cases were transferred to Kwun Tong and
Kowloon City Magistracies.
CULTURAL
SIGNIFICANCE
• The Magistracy embodies a specific architectural style -
"pseudo-classical" or "Stripped Classicism"
• Its design reflects a particular era in Hong Kong's
architectural history.
• It stands as a testament to the evolution of the legal
system and government administration in Kowloon.
• The Commissioner for Heritage's Office (CHO) launched
the "Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership
Scheme" to find new uses for suitable government-owned
buildings.
• The North Kowloon Magistracy became part of the first
batch under this scheme.
• Conservation plans focused on adaptive reuse while
preserving the building's heritage value.
Documentation Review
Court buildings are a symbolic visual
landmark easily recognised by the local
community.
The North Kowloon Magistracy building is
among one of a few court buildings of
similar design left in Hong Kong.

NKM is considered as a good example

of early typical civic buildings.

There is a central Italianate style

staircase with ornamental ironwork
balustrades featuring Grecian motifs.
NKM Architecture Original Features
 Adaptive Reuse
the main Conservation
Objective of this project is to
cater for adaptive reuse of the
conserved historic building
The transformation of the historic North
Kowloon Magistracy (NKM) Building into
an art and design university will
undoubtedly create an exciting platform to
stimulate economic and cultural activities
in the Sham Shui Po and Shek Kip Mei
areas.

Preservation Techniques
& Strategies
Repair rather than replace character-defining elements

Respect the original character or architectural style of the

building fabric and retain its traditional
building materials or construction system as much as possible.
Community Engagement
& Stakeholder
• Public Consultation: The Commissioner for Heritage's Office may have
Involvement conducted community feedback on the North Kowloon Magistracy. This
could have involved public meetings, surveys, or online forums.

• Community Outreach: The CHO or project developers might have

implemented initiatives to raise awareness about the conservation project and
its significance to the local community. This could involve public talks, tours
of the building, or educational programs about the North Kowloon
Magistracy's history.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Stakeholders like local residents' associations,

historical societies, or architectural groups might have been consulted to
ensure the new use respects the North Kowloon Magistracy heritage value
and integrates with the surrounding community.
 Legal and Regulatory Framework

Antiquities and Statement of Intent on the Guidelines for the

Monuments Ordinance Conservation of the Built Revitalization of Historic
(Cap. 53): Heritage (2000): Buildings (2011):

This ordinance is the primary
piece of national legislation
governing the protection of
archaeological sites and
monuments in Hong Kong.
This policy document by the
Hong Kong government
outlines its commitment to
heritage conservation.
These guidelines issued by the
Development Bureau provide a
framework for the adaptive
reuse of historical buildings in
Hong Kong.
COMPARATIVE
ANALYSIS
 PUBLIC PERCEPTION

Its location in Sham

Public engagement
Shui Po provides
efforts include thematic
affordable living options
Challenges arise from exhibitions, lectures, The North Kowloon
and easy accessibility,
mixed perceptions on guided tours, and Repurposing the NKM Magistracy's conversion
poised to become a
conservation due to Heritage Fiesta events to aligns with into a higher education
pivotal cultural resource
private ownership promote appreciation for environmental center continues its
promoting heritage
issues, prompting active historic buildings. sustainability goals, legacy of serving
conservation.
government engagement recognizing the inherent significant purposes,
in public education and value in its historical fostering community
outreach. materials and spaces, respect through cultural
enriching the and educational
community's cultural activities.
fabric.
 The North Kowloon Magistracy conservation plan successfully
revitalized the historic building while maintaining its architectural
heritage. They achieved this through a minimal intervention approach,
focusing on preserving the exterior and character-defining elements.
This balanced approach ensures the building serves a new purpose
while remaining a testament to its past.

CONCLUSION
THANK YOU!