Miles Glendinning
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milesglendinning.bsky.social
Miles Glendinning
@milesglendinning.bsky.social
100 followers 55 following 4 posts
historian of mass housing (global + HK). New HK housing history: https://www.routledge.com/Hong-Kong-Public-Housing-An-Architectural-and-Policy-History/Glendinning/p/book/9781138680227. Global housing archive: https://datashare.ed.ac.uk/handle/10283/2927
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milesglendinning.bsky.social
In happier days - Flexi point blocks (similar to Wang Fuk) at Siu Hong Court, Tuen Mun Area 51, the largest HOS scheme - 1983 construction view showing mosaic-cladding and finishing, and 2013 mature landscaping view + detail of plaque commemorating 1985 opening by Chief Secretary Philip Haddon-Cave
Siu Hong Court, Tuen Mun Area 51 HOS, 4,676 flats in 20 Flexi 1 and 2 blocks, the largest HOS development in the Territory, designed by the Housing Department Construction Branch and built 1981-4: this view shows Phase II finishing-work and mosaic-cladding underway in 1983 (photo MG) Siu Hong Court, Tuen Mun New Town Area 51 HOS, 4,676 flats in 20 Flexi-1 and Flexi-2 point blocks, the largest HOS development in the Territory, designed by the Housing Department Construction Branch and built 1981-4: this view shows the mature-landscaped centre of the development and the integrated commercial complex and Light Rail interchange in 2013. (photo MG) Siu Hong Court, Tuen Mun New Town Area 51 HOS, 4,676 flats in 20 Flexi-1 and Flexi-2 point blocks, the largest HOS development in the Territory, designed by the Housing Department Construction Branch and built 1981-4: this 2013 view shows the plaque commemorating the official opening by the Chief Secretary in 1985, and the handing-over of the keys to the '40,000th HOS flat' to its new owners, Mr and Mrs Yip Ho-Kay. (photo MG)
November 26, 2025 at 11:15 PM
milesglendinning.bsky.social
This was Sui Wo Court (Sha Tin Area 42A HOS) back in April 2024 - and still today!

And this is what it should be like......
Sui Wo Court, Sha Tin New Town, clad in scaffolding and green sheeting back in April 2024 Sui Wo Court (Home Ownership Scheme), Fo Tan, Sha Tin New Town, seen in 2012 - well before the current protracted refurbishment scheme. The development (originally Sha Tin Area 42A HOS) was designed by James Kinoshita of Palmer & Turner, and comprises an array of clustered 'windmill' plan blocks up to 37 storeys high, featuring elevated 'sky lobbies'. It was built in 1978-82 by contractors Hsin Chong and opened in May 1981 by Governor Sir Murray MacLehose, and won the HKIA Silver Medal. Sui Wo Court (Sha Tin 42A HOS) seen in November 1983, soon after completion. (photo MG)
November 26, 2025 at 10:20 PM
milesglendinning.bsky.social
Wang Fuk Court must surely be the end of bamboo scaffolding on housing. Flexi 2 HOS blocks intrinsically safe – only 8 flats/floor – but the scaffolding is like wrapping them in a ‘temporary Grenfell’! Big questions for HKSAR Buildings Dept. to answer (esp. with other live cases - eg Sui Wo Court)
Typical upper floor plan of 'Flexi 2' 32-storey block built in Tai Po New Town Area 44 under the Hong Kong Housing Authority's Home Ownership Scheme, 1983 - indented plan, one staircase, only 8 large flats (averaging 50 sq m) per floor, very solid RC construction. Designed by the Housing Department Construction Branch under Chief Architect (HOS) Derek Messling
November 26, 2025 at 4:27 PM