The declared monument is a typical example of the eclectic style residences owned by the returned overseas Chinese in the early 20th century in the Guangdong region. To better the understanding of such unique construction style prevalent in the period in Hong Kong, the Office conducted a comprehensive analysis on the materials such as coating, timber, plaster and colourants used on the monument. We adopted a combination of analytical techniques including cross-section analysis on paint films, wood species identification on construction timber and petrographic analysis on roofing tiles and plasters.
The paints collected from doors and window frames revealed that the earlier applications contained a thick powdery lime layer probably mixed with pig's blood, a traditional technique commonly used by the Hakka people. They were then covered by a few layers of modern synthetic paints which may be a result of recent restoration. The construction timbers included China fir and Shorea. The roof was laid a combination of tiles manufactured under oxygenated and deoxygenated environment. The specific arrangement of these tiles not only provides protection from heavy rainfall but also ensures a good ventilation indoors in sunny days.
In addition to the historical significance, the construction materials and methods provided useful information and reference to the early Hong Kong architectural history and assist us in formulating conservation strategies and selection of appropriate materials for restoration.
