Covert resistance : an Embodiment of the "One Country. Two Systems" Principle in Hong Kong

Abstract

Architecture is always political. Always. Society shapes the built environment and architecture impacts the social systems. Yet how far can architects push in changing society? Is architecture the passive one or the aggressive one? Can architecture resists an authoritarian regime? This thesis inquires into the role of architecture and its potential influence in a politically unstable environment. In the context of Hong Kong, fierce conflicts arose between the local and the visitors after fifteen years of reunification with China. The distinction of the Hong Kong Chinese and the mainland Chinese was a result of the systemic differences across the border. The "One Country, Two Systems" principle allowed the capitalist and democratic systems of the British colonial rule remain unchanged in Hong Kong, setting the city apart from the rest of the communist Chinese cities. However, Beijing's overt interference on the supposed autonomous territory have caused contentions in all levels of society. This discontent against the Chinese system is then released in the daily contacts with the mainland Chinese visitors. Hong Kong, charged with enormous resentment, is facing an unprecedented instability. This thesis proposes a passive-aggressive solution for the city. It tests on the possibility of designing an architecture with dual readings; an architecture that has an apparent program and function while at the same time secretly holds a hidden agenda. This hidden agenda is not desired by the local government nor the Beijing government, but the general public. The hypothesis is, for the context of Hong Kong, should there be any solutions to change, they should be pursued under the disguise of a Beijing-government-favoured story. Only that can an attempt be flourished before it got outmaneuvered.