TRADE UNION
Nightview from Shenton Way
posed: that is, a design which would achieve an effective synthesis of the various separate, though inter-related elements involved the conference
hall, and the office, reception and ex- hibition facilities, etc. within a sin- gle aesthetically-harmonious structure which would at the same time have the grandeur and dignity essential to a public building of its importance.
covers a
The detailed development scheme was initiated immediately after the competition award. Piling began in August 1962 and was completed by May 1963. Construction work fol- lowed almost at once, and this was substantially completed by June 1965.
The whole building ground area of approximately 210 ft. by 140 ft. and is dominated by the massive cantilevered terrace and roof which are supported by rows slender reinforced concrete columns and also by five monolithic towers extending above roof level and hous- ing all main services such as lifts, and escape stairs, toilets, etc.
of
This basic structural framework. together with the main elements of accommodation within the building, are made clearly visible from outside by an extensive use of glass. Apart from ensuring maximum natural light in the main concourse and offices, this allows effective emphasis to be laid on the simplicity and strength of the basic framework.
The main conference hall, with its raked floor, is located on the northern side of the building. Below it are the administrative offices and dele- gates' rooms and, on the ground floor, an enclosed exhibition hall which can be sub-divided into three separate meeting or lecture rooms.
The central concourse, which rises up through the full height of the building, is a vast space which can also be used for movable exhibitions.
It serves as a central gathering point from which all the other parts of the building can be seen,
On the south side of the building at ground floor and first floor levels are the reception rooms and the pub- lic restaurant, with its kitchen and service areas below. Above these, on the second, third and fourth floors, are the rooms housing Singapore's National Trades Union Congress.
The NTUC section of the building has its own private entrance on the south side plus direct lift access to the three floors. Its rooms are group- ed around the research core which is the air-conditioned second-floor lib- rary which also houses the labour research unit.
NTUC Offices
The NTUC section consists of about 30 offices, some of which are air-conditioned, for trade union offi- cials and the secretariat. In addition,
TH
Nightview from the rear of the building
Far East Architect & Builder December, 1965
there are four committee rooms and a central meeting room on the fourth floor. Lounge spaces are provided on each floor for informal meetings.
Highlight of this section of the building is the air-conditioned library- cum-labour research unit which has a mezzanine and is two storeys high. It is lit by dome roof lights from above and by large plate-glass win- dows giving on to the central con- course of the building. The latter windows are provided with curtain drapes to ensure complete privacy when required. For quietness, the library flooring is in p.v.c. tiles, to a special design, while the furniture has also been provided as an integral part of the design.
All floors of the NTUC offices are served by a dumb-waiter from the ground floor kitchen while the main public restaurant on the first floor is directly accessible.
Reception Hall and Public Restaurant
Below the NTUC offices on the first floor is an air-conditioned recep- tion hall reserved for state functions, and other official gatherings. It over- looks the private reception lounge and bar located on the ground floor below.
The ceiling of the reception hall is in Kapur, a local hardwood.
The light fittings chosen for the area have been designed in the form of chandelier-like clusters. The hall is partitioned off, by means of sliding doors, from the public restaurant but both are served by a common servery with service lift connections to the kitchen below.
The public restaurant is on the eastern side of the building and opens out on to the large terrace and car park area. The kitchen and utility spaces are on the ground floor and are ventilated by built-in extractor fans with ducting up to roof level.
Central Concourse
The central concourse can be seen from both main entrances at the front and rear of the building and gives an
61
Page 25Page 26