that it is extremely compact and allows reasonable space between it and the peripheral properties. In terms of architectural aesthetics too it is satisfying in that it gives a sense of unity to the whole plan shaved down peripheral building heights con- strasting with a high central point.
However it is not only a question of architectural aesthetics and unob- structed outlooks. The radial design also provides a degree of social in- tegration, flats in each of the seven residential blocks being accessible to each of the others by means of a common circulating verandah on each floor.
One Lift Shaft
This arrangement has solid prac- tical advantages in terms of econo- mies in circulating space, lifts and staircases. Whereas in the more conventional 'H'-type of multi-storey layout the maximum number of re- sidential blocks which can be served by one set of lifts is four, in Hill Tops one set of lifts caters adequately for all seven.
On each floor the lifts give access to a circulating verandah running around the full circumference of the open, central courtyard and serving all seven flats on the floor.
The radial layout also means that two staircases are quite sufficient. One staircase is situated at each end of the central courtyard, so that all flats are within safe distance of emer- gency stairs.
The open central courtyard has been sensibly utilised as a play area for children. The potential disad- vantage of a central play area noise has been eliminated by making the walls of the flats particu- ly thick on the sides facing the cen- tral courtyard and, at the same time, reducing the number of openings in these walls to a minimum.
One important additional advant- age of the radial design is that it offers ideal scope for the use of a tower crane during construction. With building now in progress, a tower crane has been set up in the central courtyard.
Accommodation
one
The Hill Tops development pro- vides 100 three-bedroom flats per floor in each block. In addition there are three double-storey mai- sonette pent-houses, each occupying two floors in a block.
Residential accomodation begins on the first floor, the ground floor being left open to provide parking space under cover for more than 100
cars.
The floor plan of a typical single- floor flat shows that the portion of the flat abutting the central courtyard is reserved for the kitchen and service rooms and is reached by its own separate door from the circulating verandah.
The remaining accomodation in the flat consists of three bedrooms and two bathrooms arranged in a line. The 21ft. by 12ft. master bed-
Another view of the model. Parking for 100 cars is provided at ground level
room, which is situated at the outer end of the flat, has fitted cupboards and its own adjacent bathroom. The second bedroom is about 14ft. by 10ft., while the third, slightly larger. is about 17ft. by 10ft.
The two-storey pent house flats have a dining room and lounge, kitchen and service rooms on the upper floor and bedrooms and a family room on the lower.
Construction
Hill Tops is planned on the prin- ciple of very large spans. Each block of the building is supported by only six reinforced-concrete columns, set at 27ft. 3in. centres in two rows of three, the rows being 38ft. 9in. apart.
This allows the ground floor to be left relatively free and unobstructed
Far East Architect & Builder January, 1965
for car parking space.
It also per- mitted the designer to work in very large modules, thus greatly simplify- ing construction.
Basically the building is made up of reinforced-concrete walls, floors, columns and beams with mainly brick infill. Exterior rendering is mainly Shanghai plaster. Floors under the residential blocks are of brick paving on 4in. mass concrete with b.r.c. No. 65, above a 6in. layer of hardcore, while roofs are of flat, reinforced-concrete panels above a layer of hollow tiles. Steel case- ment windows with 3/16in. glazing are set in 6in. by 2in. steel mullions.
Piling for Hill Tops started in December 1963 and actual construc- tion work began five months later. The building is scheduled for com- pletion by the end of 1965.
CAIRNHILL
CIRCLE
CAIRNHILL
CIRCLE
Layout at ground level
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