About the CPD Talk

A number of historic buildings contain character-defining metal components. The conservation of these components should be as high-quality as the rest of the building structures. Paul will share his experience on conserving architectural metalwork, such as the cast iron pillars of the historic Water Supplies Buildings at The University of Hong Kong, the Alex Grantham Fire Brigade Ship in Tai Koo Shing Park, and the cannons and vehicles at the Museum of Coastal Defence. He will also present what he has learned about the surface preparation and painting of metal surfaces to give these vulnerable materials protection. It is crucial to note that as metal components if not treated, they can be “bad neighbours” and damage the adjacent building fabric, such as stonework.

About the Speakers

Paul Harrison

Paul Harrison has been in Hong Kong for half his life: from 1985 to 1987 and from 1996 to present. He is currently working for local public museums and founded his own practice Phoenix Conservation in 2003. He is a member of HKICON.

Paul holds a Bachelor’s degree in Archaeological conservation and a Master’s degree Archaeometallurgy (ancient metalwork) from University College of London. He usually works for museums and collections, and also works on conservation of building fabric.

His expertise in conservation of architectural metalwork encompasses a variety of exterior ironwork, from cannons, to pillars, to military vehicles, amongst which is the renowned Alexander Grantham Fire Brigade Ship of Hong Kong Museum of History.