Then & Now | Why Hong Kong’s ceilings used to be much higher, and how ones of galvanised iron sheets were once a hot interior design trend
- In most pre-war Hong Kong buildings, ceilings are much higher than in modern structures – three metres or more is not uncommon, even in residential properties
- The pressed-metal ceiling was an interior design trend in the 19th century – an example can still be seen at Loke Yew Hall at the University of Hong Kong
Throughout history, ceilings were as important to a building’s decorative style as floors and walls.
As superbly detailed Byzantine mosaics, intricate Jacobean wood carving and panelling, and exquisitely carved plasterwork combined with trompe l’oeil paintings attest, ceilings often merited more concentrated attention than the rest of a room.
Practical considerations played a role; unlike floors, which would inevitably wear down in areas of heavy traffic, or walls that would get scuffed or become discoloured from fireplace smoke, ceilings did not suffer from careless wear and tear.
Next time you walk into an old building, look up at the ceiling. In most pre-war Hong Kong buildings, ceilings are much higher than in contemporary structures; even in residential buildings, three metres (10 feet) or more is not uncommon.
With several months of unrelenting summer heat, monsoon rains and periodic typhoon conditions in mind, this soaring design feature was intentional; in the days before the widespread introduction of air conditioning, or even mechanical cooling systems such as fans, high ceilings helped upwardly disperse gathered heat in a room, and encouraged draughts and cross ventilation – all essential for comfort in a subtropical climate.
