Lui Seng Chun (雷生春)

https://youtu.be/CGtRUC0Ohjo Being a four-storey building, Lui Seng Chun is a typical "Kee-lau" or "Tong-lau" (Chinese tenement). This type of two-to-four-storey residence integrating Chinese and Western architectural styles was very popular in the early 20th century. The structural system for Lui Seng Chun consists of reinforced concrete shallow pad foundations supporting granite columns with reinforced concrete beams, floors and walls. Its architecture reflects the Neoclassical style which is characterised by a square-shaped frame and a row of decorative balustrades in front. The deep verandahs help prevent rain from flooding the house, block sunlight and keep the indoor area cool. This together with the stone plaque marked with the name of the medicine shop installed at the top of the building are all typical architectural features of pre-war Chinese tenements. The main facade of the building was lavishly decorated with classical Italianate designs, one of which is the "broken pediment" at the shop. The curved front elevation was designed to make better use of the narrow strip of land restricted by the road junction. In terms of structure, the external walls of the building are made of plastered red brickwork with columns and beams of reinforced concrete. Lui Seng Chun is regarded as the representative of "Kee-lau" of the pre-war period in Hong Kong.