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1950’s – History of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong

The Department of Architecture was first introduced into the University in 1950, under the Deanship of Professor R. Gordon Brown.  The first five-year Degree of Bachelor of Architecture was awarded in 1955. In 1958, Professor W. G. Gregory was appointed Dean until the School was amalgamated into the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture in the same year.

1950s Arch. Studios 1953 to 1958

[img src=/60/wp-content/flagallery/1950s-arch-studios-1953-to-1958/thumbs/thumbs_10228-01.jpg]4020First Year Studio with Master Lars Myrenberg
General view of our first year Studio with our year master Lars Myrenberg. Looking on were Theresa Hus and Patsy Leong (back to camera). Working on the drawing Board and back to the camera was Fannie Chen. We had 22 students when we started out first year. All the students had plenty of space for our work in the studio as compared to the crammed condition in the School now. But apart from a projector for our history Lectures, we had no other equipment and facilities and we had to depend on our heads and hands to complete our assignments. Now the students have lots of computers and other facilities but no space on the studio to work on.[img src=/60/wp-content/flagallery/1950s-arch-studios-1953-to-1958/thumbs/thumbs_10229-02.jpg]4060Opposite angle and showed Kwan Sai Chung
This photo was taken from the opposite angle and showed Kwan Sai Chung on the left, John Tang Kwong Hon & Cedric Wang Shao Wu. In the background were the 3 ladies with Myrenberg. You can see we had very casual dress code in our studio.[img src=/60/wp-content/flagallery/1950s-arch-studios-1953-to-1958/thumbs/thumbs_10230-03.jpg]27703rd Year (1956) with Fannie Chen & Gilbert Poon
Description Taken in our 3rd year (1956) with Fannie Chen and Gilbert Poon Sze Chiu working hard on their assignment and their future. Miss Chen is now Mrs Poon. [img src=/60/wp-content/flagallery/1950s-arch-studios-1953-to-1958/thumbs/thumbs_10231-04.jpg]2300David Sun on his Final Year Thesis in the Studio
This photo was taken in 1957 with Kodak Etachrom colour film and after over 50 years the colour and faded and the funny colour was the result of the faded negative and the photo was reprinted in 2006. David Sun working on his Final Year Thesis in the Studio.[img src=/60/wp-content/flagallery/1950s-arch-studios-1953-to-1958/thumbs/thumbs_10232-05.jpg]2170David Sun's classmate Donald Tsao
[img src=/60/wp-content/flagallery/1950s-arch-studios-1953-to-1958/thumbs/thumbs_10233-06.jpg]1950David Sun's classmate Cedric Wang Shao Wu
[img src=/60/wp-content/flagallery/1950s-arch-studios-1953-to-1958/thumbs/thumbs_10234-07.jpg]2030David Sun & his Vice Chairman Chan Mo Yin

1950's Gordon Brown

1950s HKU Campus

1954 Launch picnic with Lars Myrenberg

1950's Class Photos

[img src=/60/wp-content/flagallery/1950s-class-photos/thumbs/thumbs_10501-01.jpg]950Professor & Mrs Gordon Brown appearing at the door
In early 1956, Professor & Mrs Gordon Brown were invited a private party organized by students of the year 1958. Photo shows Professor & Mrs Gordon Brown appearing at the door where the party was held.[img src=/60/wp-content/flagallery/1950s-class-photos/thumbs/thumbs_10502-02.jpg]970Gilbert Poon Sze Chiu showing his skill
Gilbert Poon Sze Chiu (58) showing his skill with the Ping Pong ball on an umbrella with Mrs Brown on the right.[img src=/60/wp-content/flagallery/1950s-class-photos/thumbs/thumbs_10503-03.jpg]1000Gilbert Poon Sze Chiu (58) showing his skill with the Ping Pong ball on an umbrella with Mrs Brown on the right.
John Tang Kwong Hon (58) talking about the night's programme with Gilbert Poon near the door and Phyllis Chow seated on the left of Mrs Brown.[img src=/60/wp-content/flagallery/1950s-class-photos/thumbs/thumbs_10504-04.jpg]780Mrs Gregory helping to dress Miss 3rd Year Fanny So
Mrs Gregory helping to dress Miss 3rd Year Fanny So while Gilbert Poon was laughing at what he saw. Seated next to Fanny was classmate Chan Pui Ming[img src=/60/wp-content/flagallery/1950s-class-photos/thumbs/thumbs_10505-05.jpg]710Our Miss 3rd Year and Mr 3rd Year Fanny So & Chan Pui Ming
Our Miss 3rd Year and Mr 3rd Year Fanny So & Chan Pui Ming at the Party for Professor & Mrs Gordon Brown.[img src=/60/wp-content/flagallery/1950s-class-photos/thumbs/thumbs_10506-06.jpg]670Professor and Mrs Gordon Brown arriving at their Farewell Party at the Shatin Heights Hotel
Professor and Mrs Gordon Brown arriving at their Farewell Party organized by the HKU Architectural Society at the Shatin Heights Hotel in late 1957.[img src=/60/wp-content/flagallery/1950s-class-photos/thumbs/thumbs_10507-07.jpg]630The Official Table at the Farewell Dinner for Professor & Mrs Gordon Brown
The Official Table at the Farewell Dinner for Professor & Mrs Gordon Brown. <br />L to R: Professor Wong our Chinese painting Lecturer, David Sun (Chairman of Architectural Society HKU), Mrs Brown, Professor Brown, Fanny So (Hon Secretary of AS).[img src=/60/wp-content/flagallery/1950s-class-photos/thumbs/thumbs_10508-08.jpg]640David Sun on behalf of the AS thanked Professor Brown
At the same Farewell Party for Professor Brown. David Sun, on behalf of the AS, thanked Professor Brown for starting the Faculty of Architecture in HKU in 1950. Before coming to HKU, Professor Brown was the Principal of Architectural Association School in London. On the extreme right was Gregory, Senior Lecturer of Building Construction. After we had Graduated in 1958, Gregory was promoted to Professor and took over as Professor Gregory and head of the Faculty of Architecture.[img src=/60/wp-content/flagallery/1950s-class-photos/thumbs/thumbs_10509-09.jpg]700David Sun returned to Singapore
After completed the 5-year Architectural Course, David Sun returned to Singapore in June of 1958. Some close classmates were on the MV Tjiluwah to see David off. <br /><br />L to R: David Sun, Fanny So (now Mrs Sun, Simmy Cheng & John Tang Kwong Hon, Cedric Wang Shao Wu took the picture and so was not in this picture.[img src=/60/wp-content/flagallery/1950s-class-photos/thumbs/thumbs_10510-10.jpg]650Another picture taken on board Tjiluwah
Another picture taken on board Tjiluwah with John Tang Kwong Hon, Simmy Cheng & Fanny So.[img src=/60/wp-content/flagallery/1950s-class-photos/thumbs/thumbs_10511-11.jpg]660Class photo for the final year with Studio Master Nedberg taken in 1958
Class photo for the final year with Studio Master Nedberg taken in 1958. Jason Yuen King Yuk was on the left of Nedberg and Wu Pau Cheung on the right were Class Representatives on the Architectural Society for Session 1957 to 1958. 15 of us were in this picture with 3 absent. <br /><br />Seated L to R: Fannie Chen, Phyllis Chow, Chan Pui Ming, Jason Yuen King Yuk, Mr Nedberg, Wu Pau Cheung, Fanny So & Simmy Cheng. <br /><br />Standing L to R: Chan Kai Lam, Hui Man Hin, David Sun, Donald Tsao, Gilbert Poon Sze Chiu, Tsang Chun Kei, Cedric Wang Shao Wu & Kwan Sai Chung.[img src=/60/wp-content/flagallery/1950s-class-photos/thumbs/thumbs_10512-12.jpg]950The Class Graduation picture taken in front of Duncan Sloss Building
The Class Graduation picture taken in front of Duncan Sloss Building in November 1958. HKU had the bad habit of holding the Graduation Ceremony in November as it would be cooler to wear the heavy Graduation gowns. But it was not fair to many foreign students and those went for graduate degrees in other countries. 14 of the 15 graduates were shown in this picture but David Sun was the only person absent as he was working in Singapore. 3 of the classmates were asked to repeat for one year.[img src=/60/wp-content/flagallery/1950s-class-photos/thumbs/thumbs_10513-13.jpg]660Fanny So receiving her Architectural Degree
Fanny So receiving her Architectural Degree in the Loke Yew Hall in November 1958.[img src=/60/wp-content/flagallery/1950s-class-photos/thumbs/thumbs_10514-14.jpg]690Some of the Graduates outside the HKU Main Building after receiving their degrees
Some of the Graduates outside the HKU Main Building after receiving their degrees in November 1958.[img src=/60/wp-content/flagallery/1950s-class-photos/thumbs/thumbs_10515-15.jpg]680Fanny So & Simmy Cheng after receiving their Architectural Degrees
Fanny So & Simmy Cheng after receiving their Architectural Degrees. They were classmates in DGS, HKU & later in the HK PWD for 2 years in the same Department.[img src=/60/wp-content/flagallery/1950s-class-photos/thumbs/thumbs_10516-16.jpg]730Simmy Cheng & Fanny So at the Dinner Reception for the Graduation Dinner
Simmy Cheng & Fanny So at the Dinner Reception for the Graduation Dinner at the Loke Yew Hall in November 1958.

1950s HKU Student Union Dances & Functions

[img src=/60/wp-content/flagallery/1950s-hku-student-union-dances-functions/thumbs/thumbs_10468-01.jpg]650
[img src=/60/wp-content/flagallery/1950s-hku-student-union-dances-functions/thumbs/thumbs_10469-02.jpg]610
[img src=/60/wp-content/flagallery/1950s-hku-student-union-dances-functions/thumbs/thumbs_10470-03.jpg]570
[img src=/60/wp-content/flagallery/1950s-hku-student-union-dances-functions/thumbs/thumbs_10471-04.jpg]590
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[img src=/60/wp-content/flagallery/1950s-hku-student-union-dances-functions/thumbs/thumbs_10475-08.jpg]580
[img src=/60/wp-content/flagallery/1950s-hku-student-union-dances-functions/thumbs/thumbs_10476-09.jpg]550
[img src=/60/wp-content/flagallery/1950s-hku-student-union-dances-functions/thumbs/thumbs_10477-10.jpg]660
[img src=/60/wp-content/flagallery/1950s-hku-student-union-dances-functions/thumbs/thumbs_10478-11.jpg]610
[img src=/60/wp-content/flagallery/1950s-hku-student-union-dances-functions/thumbs/thumbs_10479-12.jpg]580
[img src=/60/wp-content/flagallery/1950s-hku-student-union-dances-functions/thumbs/thumbs_10480-13.jpg]510
[img src=/60/wp-content/flagallery/1950s-hku-student-union-dances-functions/thumbs/thumbs_10481-14.jpg]580
[img src=/60/wp-content/flagallery/1950s-hku-student-union-dances-functions/thumbs/thumbs_10482-15.jpg]790
[img src=/60/wp-content/flagallery/1950s-hku-student-union-dances-functions/thumbs/thumbs_10483-16.jpg]730
[img src=/60/wp-content/flagallery/1950s-hku-student-union-dances-functions/thumbs/thumbs_10484-17.jpg]710
[img src=/60/wp-content/flagallery/1950s-hku-student-union-dances-functions/thumbs/thumbs_10485-18.jpg]520
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[img src=/60/wp-content/flagallery/1950s-hku-student-union-dances-functions/thumbs/thumbs_10487-20.jpg]750
[img src=/60/wp-content/flagallery/1950s-hku-student-union-dances-functions/thumbs/thumbs_10488-21.jpg]570
[img src=/60/wp-content/flagallery/1950s-hku-student-union-dances-functions/thumbs/thumbs_10489-22.jpg]520

Thanks a lots to Daivd Sun who provide so many photos of 1950s.