The Hong Kong Public Works Department (PWD) was founded in the early 1880s and its Architectural Office was in existence by the late 1930s. Following the end of the Second World War the PWD played a major role in rebuilding and development. The PWD was formally abolished in April 1982 and the Architectural Office's role was inherited by the present Architectural Services Department, which currently sits under the Works Branch of the government's Development Bureau.