Gallery: Why Hong Kong Shrouds New Skyscrapers in Cocoons
Photo: Peter Steinhauer01Cocoon and Cranes Hong Kong-2008
Peter Steinhauer's *Cocoon* series looks at a construction tradition native to Hong Kong.
Photo: Peter Steinhauer02McDonald's Cocoon Hong Kong - 2009
When buildings are going up (or being torn down), they get shrouded in bright nylon mesh covers.
Photo: Peter Steinhauer03Greeen Cocoon #5 Hong Kong - 2010
No matter how tall they are.
Photo: Peter Steinhauer04Quarry Bay Cocoon Hong Kong - 2013
Some are white, though that's rare.
Photo: Peter Steinhauer05Cherry Street Cocoon Hong Kong - 2009
Most are brilliant primary hues, like this green.
Photo: Peter Steinhauer06Blue Cocoon #1 Hong Kong - 2008
The cocoons are there to protect debris from falling on Hong Kong's densely populated streets.
Photo: Peter Steinhauer07Yellow Night Cocoon Hong Kong - 2011
The tradition dates back as long as we've had photographs of building being built in the city.
Photo: Peter Steinhauer08Aqua Cocoon Cage Hong Kong - 2012
Underneath the shrouds is scaffolding made from bamboo.
Photo: Peter Steinhauer09cocoon2
Most of the nylon mesh gets reused if there aren't too many holes.
Photo: Peter Steinhauer10cocoon
Though the bright colors look beautiful to outsiders, they're almost universally loathed in Hong Kong because they signify months of loud construction.
Photo: Peter Steinhauer11Southside Cocoon #2 Hong Kong - 2012
And after a few weeks, they become extremely dirty. This one use to be white.
12cocoons
Still their odd beauty still beats the soulless metal scaffolding you'll find in the U.S.
