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Award for Multi-storey Prefab Apartment House
A DESIGN for a 15-storey prefabricated apartment house has received first prize in a national competition in which 342 architects from all over Japan participated.
The design competition, entitled "Multi-storey Apart- ment House with Steel Structure built in a Housing Area", was sponsored by the Kozai Club, a steel material re- search and business promotion organization comprising representatives of major Japanese steel makers, and sup- ported by the Ministry of Construction, the Japan Housing Corporation, the Japan Architects' Association, and six other architectural organizations. Entries were judged on the basis of originality, advanced construction techniques. maximum use of steel structural components, and efficient cost management. Construction costs could not exceed US$139 per square meter,
The prize-winning entry, submitted by the design staff of Takenaka Komuten Co., Ltd., proposes use of pre- fabricated, cross-shaped units which are stacked by crane. Each of the ten-ton cross-shaped units combines H-beams and U-shaped deck panels which are jointed with those of the surrounding units.
The design provides for a 15-storey apartment house with a total floor space of 13,861 sq. m. divided into 140 two-storey apartments of 75.82 sq. m. each. The
Prize winning design by Takenaka Komuten Co.
required construction period is 180 days, which represents a reduction of 50 days over conventional prefabricated methods. This saving has been made possible because cach prefab cross-shaped unit includes walls, beams and finished floors, keeping on-site construction to a minimum.
After combining cross-shaped units, asbestos is spray- ed on the surfaces of each unit for fire-proofing before finishing work is carried out. Total weight of the build- ing is 300 kg sq. m.
Cumbernauld New Town Planners Win Reynolds Award
CUMBERNAULD New Town in Scotland has been selected as one of the world's best designed communities for mod- ern living by a jury of the American Institute of Architects. The planners of the new town have been presented with
Far East Architect & Builder August, 1967
Part of the residential area of Cumbernauld
the 1967 R. S. Reynolds Memorial Award for Community Architecture.
The jury considered designs from 20 communities in Europe, the United States, Asia and Latin America. It chose Cumbernauld because it clearly exploited to the maximum its potential as a work of community architec- ture without sacrificing human values.“
Four features of the new town were particularly com- mended:
1. Its complete separation of pedestrian and vehi- cular traffic by a system of walkways and roads which has reduced automobile accidents by 50 per cent.
2. A unique multi-level town centre housing almost all the city's stores, offices, hotels, recreation facilities and other public buildings. "The Cumbernauld town centre is the prototype of the form that must evolve, sooner or later, for the central business districts in our cities in the United States,” the AIA said.
3. A high level of amenities, including open spaces and community facilities, provided in a city of truly urban density. The housing areas contain an average of about 85 persons per acre in a variety of detached houses, townhouses and flats.
4. Achievement of real economy, with most hous- ing units renting from US$20 to US$27 a month, not including utilities.
The award consisted of US$25,000 and an original sculpture, entitled “Three Columns,” created by Roy Gus- sow of New York. By agreement of the architects and planners of Cumbernauld, the award money will be used for scholarships in community architecture to be adminis- tered by the Royal Institute of British Architects. award was accepted by Dudley R. Leaker, chief architect and planning officer, and I.. Hugh Wilson, who held that post from the beginning of the project 11 years ago until 1962.
The
Plans for Cumbernauld were started in 1956 by the Cumbernauld Development Corporation. The town now has about 5,500 homes with a population of 23,000. Some 50 industrial firms and 31 shops already have located there with an employment of more than 4,800.
Industrialised Building System Withstands Earthquakes
HOUSES. high rise apartments, industrial buildings, schools and hospitals built on a British industrialised, low-cost "wall and floor" construction system are claimed to be resistant to earthquakes and hurricanes. The system is also said to be highly suitable for developing countries' housing needs. Flexibility in individual design is possible and the system has the added advantage that local ma- terials can be used.
The system comprises three basic products
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