YHA Mei Ho House Youth Hostel of Hong Kong. (Photo/UNESCO)
Project name: YHA Mei Ho House Youth Hostel
Location: Hong Kong, China
The transformation of the abandoned Mei Ho House into a youth hostel and heritage museum has successfully extended the life of the territory's first public housing complex. The conservation work is commendable for its nuanced approach to retaining the hallmarks of period architecture while sensitively inserting contemporary amenities catering to the building's new function. The impressive efforts to reach out to former residents and record oral histories have enriched the site interpretation and created the vibrant Mei Ho House Alumni Network. The project has a catalytic impact in the larger renewal of Shek Kip Mei as one of the city's new cultural hubs. The restoration of the Mei Ho House has preserved an important chapter in the social history of Hong Kong and demonstrates the enduring value of the Modern typology of social housing.
