Dig deeper：Bonham Road Government Primary School
【明報專訊】The premises were originally built between 1940 and 1941 as a teacher training college. This three-storey concrete building located in Sai Ying Pun was transformed into Bonham Road Government Primary School(般咸道官立小學) in 2000.
◆ When was it declared a monument (法定古蹟)?
2021. It was declared a monument alongside the Old Tai Po Police Station(舊大埔警署) in Tai Po and Hip Tin Temple(協天宮) in Sha Tau Kok. According to the Antiquities and Monuments Office, the main building of the premises is a prominent example of Streamline Moderne buildings(現代流線形風格) in Hong Kong, characterised by curves and horizontal lines and being functional with minimal ornamentation.
◆ What is the most iconic part of the premises?
The timber doors, steel-framed windows with patterned or plain glass panes and the old-styled ironmongery of the main building are all well maintained. Some parts of the building were designed as air-raid shelters (防空洞), which were then transformed into the library and the activities room.
■Game
Connect the dots!
(See the picture)
(Answers on next text)
■Glossary
premises(n) 建築物
prominent (adj) 重要的
ornamentation (n) 裝飾
iconic (v) 代表性的
[Smarties' Power English 第319期]
