Public Housing Design
50s
60s
70s
80s
90s
The New
Millennium
1950s
Example
Shek Kip Mei Resettlement Area
Floor Area
11.15 sq. m. / 120 sq. ft in general.
In 1956, it was changed and ranged between 7.99-22.3 sq. m. / 86 and 240 sq. ft.
Flat Design and Block Facilities
- 6-7 storeys high
- No water or electricity supply in flat, but tenants could apply for electricity connection at their own expense
- Two wings contain communal bathrooms and toilets
1950s
Example
Tung Tau Resettlement Area
Floor Area
Similar to H-shaped (Mark I) blocks
Flat Design and Block Facilities
- Increased to 8 storeys in 1960s
- A kitchen, tap water supply and balcony at both ends of each floor
1960s
Example
Kwai Chung Resettlement Area
Floor Area
9.94 - 26.01 sq. m. / 107 - 280 sq. ft.
Flat Design and Block Facilities
- 8 storeys high
- Private balconies for cooking and laundry
- No water supply in flat; most tenants had tap water installed in flat after moving in
- Communal toilets and bathrooms shared among 2 to 3 households
- Electricity supply for each flat
1960s
Example
Sau Mau Ping Resettlement Area
Floor Area
Mark IV:
9.94 - 31.96 sq. m. / 107 - 344 sq. ft.
Mark V:
8.92 - 20.07 sq. m. / 96 - 216 sq. ft.
Mark VI:
14.03 - 26.94 sq. m. / 151 - 290 sq. ft.
Flat Design and Block Facilities
- Generally 10 storeys high
- Flats with water and electricity supply
- Private toilet in flat
- Lift access to every three floors
1970s
Example
Oi Man Estate
Floor Area
36 - 44 sq. m. / 388 - 474 sq. ft
Flat Design and Block Facilities
- Generally 20-23 storeys high
- Flats with water and electricity supply
- Private balconies, kitchens and toilets
- Lift access to every floor
1970s
Example
Mei Lam Estate
Floor Area
35.3 - 65.1 sq. m. / 380 - 701 sq. ft
Flat Design and Block Facilities
- Private balconies, kitchens and toilets
- Lift access to every floor
- Flats with water and electricity supply
1990s
Example
Tin Yiu Estate
Floor Area (Internal Floor Area)
One-person flat:
17 sq. m. / 183 sq. ft
One-bedroom flat:
34 sq. m. / 366 sq. ft
Two-bedroom flat:
43 sq. m. / 463 sq. ft
Three-bedroom flat:
52 sq. m. / 560 sq. ft
Flat Design and Block Facilities
- Air-conditioners could be installed in rooms
- Gas supply available; residual current devices installed; emergency generators installed in each block
The New Millennium
Designs of new housing estates with environmentally friendly measures include:
- a minimum greening ratio of 30%
- use of sound insulation materials on floor slabs
- adoption of rainwater and air-conditioning condensate collection systems to water some of the planters
- adoption of a number of green building techniques
- installation of photovoltaic panels on the roofs of public housing blocks to power public facilities
2000s
Example
Upper Ngau Tau Kok Estate
Floor Area (Internal Floor Area)
One-/Two-person flat:
18 sq. m. / 194 sq. ft
Two-/Three-person flat:
22 sq. m. / 237 sq. ft
One-bedroom flat:
31 sq. m. / 334 sq. ft
Two-bedroom flat:
40 sq. m. / 431 sq. ft
Flat Design and Block Facilities
- Laundry rack and drying rods installed inside and outside bathroom
- Emergency generators installed in each block
- Stainless steel cooking bench and sink unit installed in kitchen
2010s
Example
Kai Ching Estate
Floor Area (Internal Floor Area)
One-/Two-person flat:
14 sq. m. / 151 sq. ft
Two-/Three-person flat:
22 sq. m. / 237 sq. ft
One-bedroom flat:
31 sq. m. / 334 sq. ft
Two-bedroom flat:
35 sq. m. / 377 sq. ft
Flat Design and Block Facilities
- Each block equipped with a twin-tank system to ensure uninterrupted water supply
- Two-level lighting systems installed in public areas to save energy
- Common W-trap systems used in waste water drainage to block odours and bacteria
- Bench provided in lift lobby of each floor for residents waiting for lifts
Housing for Millions
