news review
Successful CAA Regional Conference
The Third Asian Regional Conference of the Commonwealth Association of Architects ended in Hong Kong last month with delegates united in the view that the architectural and allied professions should play a stronger role in the promotion of environmental research and technical advancement.
In re-affirming their support for more regional co-operation the delegates resolved to set up an
Dr. Thomas Howarth
architects regional centre (Arcasia) which will be located in Singapore. This followed a feasibility study on the idea by Dr. Thomas Howarth of the University of Toronto.
A delegation will visit aid organisations in Bang- kok shortly to seek funds for the project. (See 'Firm steps towards Arcasia' page 13).
Building plans approved
Fifty-six new building plans of all types were approved by the HK Building Authority, and 33 completed buildings were certified for occupation last October.
Of the new building plans approved, 13 were on Hong Kong Island, eight in Kowloon, 14 in New Kowloon and 21 in the New Territories. In addi- tion, the Building Authority approved the demo- lition of. 16 buildings - all on Hong Kong Island.
Metrication committee to be set up
Hong Kong's Financial Secretary, Sir John Cowperthwaite announced recently that the Government had decided to establish a Metrication Committee to advise on the timing of desirable changes to the metric system in different sectors of the economy.
Far East BUILDER, January 1970
Sir John said the committee, under an un- official chairman and on a continuing basis, would guide and keep in review the progress of changes, including making recommendations on such legis- lation as might be necessary.
The decision to set up such a committee follow- ed a recently-completed study to determine where the balance of advantage lay for Hong Kong in introducing metric systems of measurement into various spheres of the colony's life, Sir John said.
The study concluded that there were areas of activity where, because of international relations or other circumstances arising outside of Hong Kong, it was necessary to convert at an early date to metric systems.
Second medal for Palmer & Turner
The architectural firm of Palmer and Turner was awarded the Hong Kong Society of Architect's silver medal for 'excellence in architecture' at the society's annual dinner last month.
The AIA Building (featured in Far East Builder in February 1969) which the firm designed, was selected for the prize by the council of the society and the award was received on behalf of the firm by Mr. J. Kinoshita and Mr. Heinz Rust.
The award caused a good deal of controversy among Hong Kong architects and in correspon- dence in the press it was pointed out that as a commercial building the AIA did not fall into the categories of 'public buildings and institutions' which should have been the subject for this year's award.
No very satisfactory reply was given on this point and it is difficult to understand the council's
AIA Building
thinking. The AIA Building is well worthy of com- mendation but from the press correspondence it would appear that the society's members were not made aware that submissions for the award could range to commercial buildings.
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