ST.
CORRIDOR
10-STOREY BLOCK
BALCONY
LIFT
BALEONT
LIFT
SERV.
KIT
ENT
HALL
LARA
----
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
1 R.
CORRIDOR
SERV
KIT.
L.SD.R.
TYPICAL FLOOR PLAN
and the flats in the smaller building were sold for 40 45,000. These prices, including profits to the inves- tors and contractors, are the usual ones and explain the almost non-exis- tence of grandiosity or outstanding quality in the new housing schemes built in Macau in recent years.
Architectural Character
The two buildings were designed as complementary elements. There is a rhythm of projections and re- cesses and modulation.
Balconies are used as a means of protection against the sun in summer, and have in some cases side panels as shelter from the northern winds in winter.
The blocks are intended to comply with the new town planning bye- laws to be implemented in this urban district (Praia Grande), which will enforce a low ratio of ground oc- cupancy and the insertion of open spaces between buildings.
Since the two blocks are to be seen all around their periphery, all the elevations were treated with the same care to avoid a “backyard ap- pearance" on one side.
The author of this project has sought to enhance the buildings with that special "warmth" which emanates from Portuguese buildings combining tropical and Mediter- ranean architecture. Macau has for centuries shown a very rooted affilia- tion to Portuguese tropical architec- ture, although with adaptations to local conditions and Chinese techni- ques.
this
It was only recently that affiliation was dissolved when a "construction boom", hand in hand with financial speculation, began the creation of a new city without any special character or values. This is a "crisis of growth" which needs to be guided to become real progress.
Mr. Maneiras and other members of Macau's planning division are attempting to revive the tradition of Portuguese architecture in Macau by looking into the past but planning for today and for the future.
54
Architect: Jose C.S. Maneiras. Structural engineer: A.G. Jorge. Contractors: Yau Vo & Co.
1771
View from the south west of the five-storey block and the ten-storey block under construction at the rear. Most of the windows face south for a better intake of summer breezes
Books
Mechanisation in Building, by H. G.
Vallings. (C. R. Books, Ltd., London, 35 shillings)
Contractors, to judge from the frequent but intermittent criticisms which appear in the popular press, are a conservative race, this despite the fact that anyone with a memory which goes back but 25 years can see great developments in practices and procedures.
It is however a fact that the prac- tical small contractor, and the not so small operator, are well aware that if mechanical plant is to pay its way it must be continuously employed on gainful work. How this is to be achieved is not to be found from a salesman's talk nor from demon- strations at exhibitions, but by care- ful study of the needs of a particular undertaking.
In the book which forms the sub- ject of this notice, the author sets out the performances of plant and assemblies against a background of information as to their requirements in the way
of maintenance
and
transport. and the way in which these are reflected in overheads.
The value of the book is that it has nothing to sell and that it en- ables the intending operator to set out and appraise the factors with which he will have to deal.
Building Materials Practice, by L. A. Ragsdale and E. A. Raynhani, (Edward Arnold Ltd., London, 45 shillings)
Books on materials used to fall into two classes, either mere sets of descriptions of well known sub- stances, or works dealing with the physical properties of known and trusted materials with perhaps a short terminal chapter on testing and specification.
This book is intended to afford guidance as to the availability, selec- tion, and appropriate usage of new tional materials which have either and emergent
materials, and tradi-
been improved over the years or
which have been shown to be capable of undergoing more severe treatment than was formerly held to be acceptable or desirable. It is a thoroughly competent work which makes a timely appearance.
Far East Architect & Builder April, 1965