“Step right this way to a slice of England dropped into Shanghai.” That’s how I often describe the Hudec Memorial Hall. It is located at 129 Panyu Road. This building offers us a glimpse into the life and work of László Hudec. He was a prolific architect who shaped much of Shanghai’s skyline in the early 20th century.
The Hudec Memorial Hall is not just a building. It is a portal into the past. This Tudor or Elizabethan-style house was designed by Hudec himself in 1930. He lived here with his family for eight years. Imagine the parties that took place here. Hudec’s daughter Alessa de Wet recalled big garden parties every summer. These parties were for the Austro-Hungarian community.
Notice the steep double-pitch roof. It dominates the house’s facade. Two brick chimneys stand tall on either side of the roof. The southern face features a gable wall. The ground floor uses red brick. There is no plastering. The second floor has white walls. A dark timber frame adds contrast and depth.
Look at the windows on the ground floor. There are three column windows connected by an arch gate. On the second floor, you’ll see bent-line bay windows. In its time, a large garden graced the southern side of the house. It is now a school playground, surrounded by busy streets.
From 1918 to 1947, Hudec completed about 50 construction projects. That is more than 100 individual buildings. Twenty-five of these are listed as outstanding historical buildings in Shanghai. Wherever you are in Shanghai, you can see his works. Think of the Park Hotel, the Grand Theatre, and Moore Memorial Church. These buildings define the “Old Shanghai” style. They house “Shanghai-style culture” and “Shanghai-style spirit”.
Hudec’s journey to Shanghai was extraordinary. He was born in 1893 in what is now Banská Bystrica, Slovakia. During World War I, he was captured by Russian Cossacks and sent to a prison in Siberia. In 1918, he jumped from a train near the Chinese border and escaped to Shanghai.
To make a living, Hudec worked for an American architect. He founded his own firm in 1925. Soon, he became one of Shanghai’s most important architects. He was known for his talent and artistic sensibility.
Step inside the Hudec Memorial Hall. The ground floor has been restored. It now serves as a museum. You’ll find Hudec’s sketches, letters, photographs, and watercolor paintings here. These items provide insight into his life and work. This house was open to everyone.
Hudec left Shanghai in 1947. Yet his legacy lives on. He designed over 100 buildings in Shanghai. More than half of them still stand today. They remain as modern and cutting-edge as ever. The Hudec Memorial Hall is a testament to his enduring impact on this city. Take a moment to appreciate this unique blend of European style and Shanghai history.