BA(Conservation)Bachelor of Arts in Conservation

Faculty of ArchitectureThe University of Hong Kong

What is Conservation?

As defined by English Heritage, “conservation is the process of managing change to a significant place in its setting, in ways that will best sustain its heritage values, while recognising opportunities to reveal or reinforce those values for present and future generations” (2008).

Heritage is all that has been passed to us by previous generations. It is in the houses we live in, our places of work, the transport we use, our places of worship, our parks and gardens, the places we go to for our sport and social life, in the ground beneath our feet, in the shape of our landscape and in the placing and arrangement of our fields, villages, towns and cities. Heritage is also found in our moveable possessions, from our national treasures in our museums, to our own family heirlooms, and in the intangible such as our history, traditions, legends and language.

English Heritage, 2012

The process of heritage conservation is recognised as an important component of sustainable development for every city, including Hong Kong. It is through the thoughtful management of such change that heritage assets can continue to contribute to present and future generations.

Why Conserve?

There is increasing demand for research and practice in conservation as cities around the world recognise the need for more rigorous professional understanding and expertise in the field of conservation; an understanding based on international best-practice standards. This is, and will continue to be, particularly important for cities undergoing rapid development, such as Hong Kong and developing countries in the region.

Places of cultural significance enrich people’s lives, often providing a deep and inspirational sense of connection to community and landscape, to the past and to lived experiences. They are historical records that are important as tangible expressions of identity and experience. Places of cultural significance reflect the diversity of our communities, telling us about who we are and the past that has formed us. These places of cultural significance must be conserved for present and future generations.

Australia ICOMOS, Burra Charter, 2004

Since the Government announced its conservation policy in 2007 and embarked on an initiative to demonstrate the feasibility of integrating conservation with development, the demand from both the public and private sectors for professional architectural conservationists has grown rapidly. Our city’s heritage needs professional conservation expertise, and conservation encompasses much more than historical studies and material protection, but demands sophisticated know-how in strategic conservation, as well as sustainable management.

Dr. Lee Ho Yin, ACP Director

Architectural Conservation Programmes (ACP)

The Architectural Conservation Programmes (ACP), within the Faculty of Architecture at The University of Hong Kong, offers a 4-year Bachelor of Arts in Conservation Degree [BA(Conservation)]. The BA(Conservation) integrates the discipline of conservation with the fields of architecture, construction management, landscape architecture, surveying, and urban planning and design.

ACP Undergraduate Aims

The BA(Conservation) offers problem-based, experiential learning covering a broad spectrum of aspects and issues concerning the field of conservation. The curriculum provides core competencies in the history and theory of conservation and the understanding of building structures and fabric in terms of material science and construction techniques. Ultimately, students are able to understand the complex and multi-disciplinary nature of architectural conservation in a progressive manner.

Our programme equips students with essential knowledge in architectural conservation under the framework of sustainable urban development, to enable them to tackle the challenges of conserving and revitalising valuable heritage assets in Hong Kong, Mainland China and overseas.

Dr. Lee Ho Yin, ACP Director

ACP Teaching Staff

The core and adjunct teaching staff of ACP are all well-known and experienced professionals in the field of architectural conservation, with almost all of them having obtained a PhD. ACP also relies on, and benefits from, an extensive network of international and local experts in various areas of heritage conservation, including academics, practitioners and senior government officials involved in heritage conservation-related projects.

Architectural Conservation Programmes (ACP)

ACP Undergraduate Curriculum

Year 1 Semester 1

Year 1 Semester 2

Year 2 Semester 1

Year 2 Semester 2

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

12

6

6

6

30 30

30 30

CONS1001 Introduction to Conservation

ARCH1028 Sustainability and the Built Environment

CAES1000 Core University English

Common Core Course Common Core Course

Common Core CourseElective

CONS2004 History of Urban Hong Kong and its Built Heritage

RECO2028 Planning and Development

Tourism Course(GEOG2056, SOCI2055 or another, with approval)

RECO1200 Housing and Cities

RECO1201 Introduction to Building Technology

CEUC9001Practical Chinese

Common Core Course

Common Core Course Common Core Course

CAES9121 Communication Course for Built Environment Students

CONS2005 Conservation Technology 1

CONS2003 Conservation Studio: Reading Heritage Buildings

Year 3 Semester 1

Year 3 Semester 2

Year 4 Semester 1

Year 4 Semester 2

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

12

6

6

6

30 30

30 30

Core: History and Theory CoursesCore: Technical CoursesCore: Studio CoursesCore: Research CourseCore: Non-CONS History and Theory Courses

Faculty Foundation CoursesLanguage CoursesCommon Core CoursesElective Courses

Elective

Elective

Elective

Elective

ElectiveElective

CONS3002 Surveying and Conservation Studio:Pre-ConstructionCONS3005Interpretation of Heritage PlacesARCH3058 Architectural History and Theory 2: Global Perspectives I

ARCH3058 Architectural History and Theory 3: Global Perspectives II

CONS3004 Surveying and Conservation Studio: Post-ConstructionCONS3003 Conservation Technology 2: Why Buildings Fall Down

RECO2029 Land Economics

RECO4004 Economics of Property Rights

CONS4001 Conservation Research Thesis

CONS4004Area Conservation Studio

CONS4002Conservation Laboratory:Conservation ScienceCONS4005 Conservation Intership: Practical Training Placement

CONS4003Conservation and Society

Architectural Conservation Programmes (ACP)

ACP StudentsThe undergraduate students of ACP hail from Hong Kong, Mainland China, Brazil, Canada, Macau, Malaysia, South Korea and Thailand; with new additions each year.

Career OpportunitiesOverall, the analytical skills developed in the programme and the multidisciplinary nature of the curriculum, will prepare students for a successful career in many fields. BA(Conservation) graduates will be well-suited for careers in the civil service, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) as well as private practice firms. The programme also provides students with a high level of competency for continuing their studies in the Master of Science in Conservation [MSc(Conservation)], as well as other postgraduate studies in such complementary professional fields as Landscape Architecture, Surveying, and Urban Planning and Design.

The BA(Conservation) programme is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), allowing BA(Conservation) graduates to choose a RICS professional pathway, through which full professional status is gained after completing an approved practical training placement and passing the RICS Assessment of Professional Competence (for the Building Control or Planning and Development Pathway).

AdmissionsAdmissions to the BA(Conservation) is both rigorous and competitive. ACP encourages applications from students with a broad range of academic and cultural interests, with students from both Arts and Science streams being accepted. Besides strong academic performance, selection criteria also include demonstrated interest and commitment to heritage conservation. Strong proficiency in spoken and written English is compulsory. Non-local students may need to show competency in the English language. Final selection of applicants to the BA(Conservation) programme is by means of an interview.

To learn more about ACP and the BA(Conservation) visit our websites:acp.arch.hku.hkfac.arch.hku.hk/arch/ba-conservation

For further information, contact:Ms. Katie CummerAssistant LecturerACP Admissions TutorTel: 2859 1101Email: kcummer@hku.hk

Image Credits: Ian Babbitt, Katie Cummer, Hoyin Lee