Conserve and Revitalise Hong Kong Heritage

Selected applicant: The Society of Rehabilitation and Crime Prevention, Hong Kong
Capital cost: About HK$160.5 million (as at September 2022 price level)
Government subsidy required for operation of social enterprise: About HK$4.984 million

To revitalise the Former North Kowloon Magistracy into a universal judicial education centre to continue the judicial spirit and traditions of the Magistracy. It will also use the building as a starting point to connect communities with heritage assets within the district, linking up traditional and new cultural resources to promote local culture and creative arts; and
To organise a wide range of activities for the general public under four main themes, namely judicial education, Hong Kong culture, partnership and co-sharing, and leisure life. It will also include lively interpretation areas and exhibition halls with AR and VR technologies as well as themed restaurant, specialty shop and learning facilities which enable visitors to acquire knowledge in a leisure environment.

The historical significance of the building will be demonstrated and maintained by:

Converting the building for judicial education and for promoting local district culture uses have a very strong linkage with the original use of the Former North Kowloon Magistracy and are able to echo with the historical and social values of the building;
Preserving all character defining elements including the conserved defendant cells and old controlled corridor, the central halls and the staircase, the conserved magistrates’ staircase (2/F-3/F portion), defendant staircase and court room No. 1 etc.;
Reconstructing the G/F to 2/F portion of magistrates’ staircase, re-planning the altered portion of controlled corridor and central hall with reference to old plans, restoring three more detention cells and resetting one more court room to demonstrate former magistracy design and atmosphere;
Setting up interpretation areas and providing display on the historic and social values of the building in relation to the Hong Kong judicial development and the district development, its architectural values, and also the revitalisation process; and
Using AR/ VR technology in detention cells and court room to enable visitors to experience the former trial process in the Magistracy.

NK Future complies with conservation guidelines by:

Complying with current day requirements of building regulations, like the provision of barrier free access;
Preserving most of the existing architectural features and external facades;
Constructing a new ramp at North Forecourt for additional barrier free access to the ground floor café;
Constructing a new staircase to roof floor for maintenance access to the PV panels on roof floor; and
Carrying out appropriate alteration and strengthening works which will not have much impact on the internal area and external facade of the building.

The project will bring benefits to the society by:

Providing students and the general public with a wide range of activities, including workshops, talks, experimental courses and guided tours to deepen participants’ understanding of judicial education and Hong Kong culture;
Presenting a variety of interactive activities on judicial education and Hong Kong culture in exhibition halls with AR and VR technologies, which enable visitors to acquire knowledge with entertainment;
Organising two open days annually with different themes to attract public participation; and
Offering job opportunities to the underprivileged which establishes community cohesion.

The Society of Rehabilitation and Crime Prevention, Hong Kong was established in 1957. It provides rehabilitation and multifarious services for those who are charged with criminal offense, have been convicted of crimes, or released from correctional institutions; and to provide community education, mental health service and crime prevention programmes for the general public.