Hong Kong's Architectural Shift from Passive Cooling to Air Conditioning Dependence

The article examines how architectural approaches to thermal comfort in Hong Kong have evolved from passive design strategies to reliance on mechanical air conditioning. Historically, during the late 1960s and 1970s when many post-war modernist structures were built, air conditioning was not widely available. Architects had to employ deliberate techniques such as building orientation, massing, material selection, ventilation systems, shading elements, and thermal management through surfaces to achieve comfort. These passive methods were essential for public housing and residential developments at the time. From the 1970s through the 1980s, air conditioning became increasingly standardized across the region, leading to its widespread adoption. This technological shift fundamentally altered building design priorities, moving away from climate-responsive architecture toward mechanical solutions. The piece suggests that this transition has reorganized the incentives underlying architectural decisions, potentially impacting spatial quality in Hong Kong and surrounding areas.