Metal Security Shutters
There are many kinds of metal security shutters in Hong Kong, but there are four kinds of metal security shutters in Hong Kong are very popular. Traditional shutter folded in the shape of the accordion, when modern shutter scroll up. This kind of security shutters is generally used for shops. Another metal security shutters is a double-door shutters or a single-door shutters. This is commonly used for residential or construction sites. Then it’s the roller shutter, which is also common in the shops. The last shutter is Pull shutter, which is used in commonly used in residential security door.
Different styles of metal security shutters have different uses. The most common is that traditional folded shutter, and this can be one of most distinctive shutter in Hong Kong. Traditional folded shutter especially ones for independent shops, such as restaurant in the shopping mall or some of the characteristics of the shop. And you can see many paintings, graffiti, written on and adorned with shutters. This is the very personalized with a publicity model. Sometimes people just watch these “Publicity model”, then they will know what this store selling. This painting has a different purpose and commercial value. Compared to China, it is hard to see this kind of traditional folded shutters, and the publicity model of each store is not the same as well.
Chinese characters carved on traditional shutter are also very common, not only dress up the shutters, but also advertised the shop. Traditional Chinese characters are also very unique. This personalized approach is usually smaller stores used to stress the importance of its business name. This should be a very important commercial use in Hong Kong. This lettering also saves the cost of advertising.
And some doors are not lettering, but on both sides of the door affixed with red paper, the word in the red paper it is show a traditional Chinese word — 出入平安, which is mean brings luck to those who enter and leave. Actually, these little red paper is also very popular in China, not just in Hong Kong. Just want to bless family and myself. Shutters with personalized sculpture reflect the individuality of the enterprise.
The most common in the city is carving in tradition folded metal shutters, but actually also have another type of metal shutters. Painted metal shutters are very common in Cheung Chau Island of Hong Kong, not in the city. You will often see different colors of the metal shutters, and just the traditional folded shutters, also you will see double door/single door metal shutter and pull shutters. Except the shutters, the buildings in this island are also very colorful and unique, such as the school and the church.
On the side of the road, a seafood restaurant on Cheung Chau has painted the shutter bright yellow. You can also see a painted bright blue roller shutter, which painted a carp and a large mosquito, such a funny combination. Those kind of painting are very hard to see in the city of Hong Kong.
Interesting residential anti-theft metal shutters are also the highlight of the island, although they are all single or double metal shutters. Many door handles are very Chinese characteristics. They are designed as a lion’s head, in fact, is useful. The purpose of the lion’s head is evil spirits, auspicious. One of the main meanings is derived from Buddhism. Manjusri is riding a lion. That’s why people like put this on the shutters. This idea is very important in China. Also you will see many in the China Forbidden City.
On the streets of Hong Kong, you can easily see the folded metal shutters, but all the shutters are traditional engravings shutters and without colors. Causeway Bay has many shopping malls, perhaps because of the bustling area of reason, I saw a red folding metal shutters. Different from Cheung Chau Island, the shutter is the only one I saw in the shopping mall. And this folded metal shutter is the door of Hong Kong tea restaurant. They want to use a unique design to attract people’s attention, so the success of my attention. Bright colors seem to reflect a culture of flexibility and independent enterprise.
Pull shutter is very common in Huafu Village of Hong Kong, basically is installed with residential area. The pull shutters are often installed on the outside of the main doors, the purpose is to strengthen the anti-theft, which is totally same as China. Moreover, the designs of pull shutters are very simple, rarely see a very colorful or a sense of design of the pull shutters in Hong Kong. In the city do not often see this shutters.
Roller shutters are also very common in the city of Hong Kong. Usually used for shops. I saw a very interesting roller shutter, the shutter was covered with many advertising, you can not even see the color of the shutters. And this shutter, only posted rental advertising, moreover, also posted a “prohibited label” stickers. The owner does not want people stick the advertising on the shutters, but always can not stop, this is a problem very common now. Torn and re-posted the move, has been repeated in the cycle. These personalized features revealed more personal interaction between the owner and the stranger.
Can be seen from the analysis, the metal safe shutter can in various ways and with different purposes to personalization. These objects are designed is to keep the store security. However, you can also through the unique design of the metal shutters to achieve their a small part of the purpose. These metal shutters also reflect the spirit and culture of the people of Hong Kong.
By: qinying Teng (Maggie)
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/151793447@N06/
Reference:
Heung Gong (Cantonese), Xianggang (Mandarin), 2008, Hong Kong, viewed 25 February 2017, <http://www.everyculture.com/Ge-It/Hong-Kong.html>.
Best of all it’s in Hong Kong, Living Culture,viewed 25 February 2017, <http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/see-do/culture-heritage/living-culture/index.jsp>.