North Kowloon Magistracy's Court Analysis

One of the oldest magistrate’s court of Hong Kong, which functioned for over 44 years is the North Kowloon Magistracy’s historic building. The colossal building was erected in 1960, under the British rule; however, the magistracy’s court discontinued in 2005 due to cost reduction policy by Hong Kong government. In 2009, the government announced the building to be used by Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). Despite the traffics, the building is situated in a peaceful environment next to Tai Po road and South-east slope of Shek Kip Mei’s fresh water reservoir. The historic 7-storey neoclassical architecture and Stripped Classicism featured building was built in granite ashlar blocks, which beautifies its exterior and interior architectural
The exquisite building was once served the community as a lowest magistrate’s court that used to handle minor indictable offences for over 44 years. For example, prostitution, illegal activity, fraud, theft, illegal immigrants case, juvenile case. According to Wikipedia, “In 1960, if the illegal immigrants arrived the Magistracy after making their way from the border, they will be granted permanent residency on Hong Kong”. However, due to cost saving policy, the North Kowloon Magistracy was terminated on 3 January 2005. Even after its discontinuation, court rooms, prisons, special juvenile court still remained in the building. Several years after, the colossal empty former magistracy’s court building was conserved by the government’s demand and had suggested making the North Kowloon Magistracy a declared monument or turning the Magistracy into the headquarters of the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority. Nevertheless, the idea was strongly despised by the Sham Shui Po district council. Later, the building was granted the right to use for one of the branch of Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) for educational purpose in February
The North Kowloon Magistracy’s building is featured by neoclassical architecture and Stripped Classicism, a style mainly obtained from the architecture of classical antiquity. There are very few other buildings of similar design in Hong Kong; thus, it is concerned as a rare architectural building. For the construction, mainly reinforced concrete is used as the materials. For the exterior, it is built in granite ashlar blocks and mostly used granite finishes. For internal, various materials is used for walls and floors. The external wall of the building is simply grey granite texture with blue canopies. The building has got 3 entrances; the main entrance has circular granite stairs, which leads to the main door, as other entrance doors are on the north and the south part of the