I Blocks (Chinese: I型大廈)[1] are a design of public housing in Hong Kong. It is mainly divided into three variants: Single I, Double I, and Triple I. Only a few estates currently have I blocks as of today. The existing blocks were built between 1981 and 1983.
Variants
The I block can be divided into three variants: Single I, Double I, and Triple I.
Etymology
The building looks like the letter I. There are three wings - two long and one at the middle. It can be modular by connecting another or two more I blocks. This gave birth of Double I and Triple I.
Naming
Unlike other blocks, Double I blocks are only given one name. Such examples include Mei Fung House in Mei Lam Estate and Shek To House in Shek Wai Kok Estate.
History
The first I blocks was completed in 1981, located at Sun Tin Wai Estate. (Shing Wai House, Foo Wai House, Yan Wai House, Fung Wai House, Wing Wai House) The first Double I buildings are located at Shun Tin Estate, completed about the same as shown above. The last I blocks to be built are located at Chak On Estate, completed in 1983.
Overview
Usually, the height of I blocks may vary. (14-21 stories) Only medium and large units are provided inside the block. (32-39 sqm) Therefore, in public housing estates, it is built with Old Slab to balance the size of units.
Due to the I block taking a lot of space and units focusing on only one size, the I block was stopped being built in future projects. Therefore, few currently have I blocks as of today.
Single I: Single I block contains 27 units per floor.
Double I: Double I block contains 54 units per floor.
Triple I: Triple I block contains 81 units per floor.