First of the phase IV twin tower blocks
PERSON
FLAT
PERS.CAC
MAT
ACCESS
BALCONY
9 PERSON
7
FLAT
7 PERSON PLATE
ACCESS
BALCONY
ACCESS
BALCONY
ACCESS
BALCONY
CENTRAL HALL
¡E PERSON:
PLAT
9 PERSON
PLAT
Typical floor plan – twin tower block
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SCALE
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joined together at the corner by a common circulation core, fitted with four lifts and one staircase.
The layout of the phase IV flats is identical to those in the earlier bal- cony-access and central corridor-type blocks. They are self-contained units, including a small kitchen, toilet, w.c., shower and a private balcony. They are designed for seven persons, with the exception of those at the corners which can provide accommodation for families of up to eight and nine per-
sons.
Each block houses 5,460 persons in 730 flats. Roofs and ground floors of the blocks are used as playspace.
The square towers have a height ranging from 21 to 24 storeys. The staggered roofs, one tower being three storeys higher than its twin, results from the ground floor being placed at different levels within the block to suit the sloping site. They give an interest- ing and contrasting skyline.
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By virtue of the square shape of the towers, and the structural cross walls dividing the flats which offer good resistance to wind pressure economy in structural design is achiev- ed. As a result it has been possible to build this new type of block at a cost comparable to that of a central cor- ridor type flat, but with all the ad- vantages of the higher cost balcony access type of accommodation.
Both the balcony access and the central corridor slab blocks are finish- ed externally in white and grey washed granolithic as a permanent facing, with colour accents provided by doors on the balconies or cement painted panels in appropriate places.
Inside, the flats have a cement screed floor, fair faced and limewashed walls and ceiling, steel-framed win- dows and glass louvres, electric light and power points, while in the kitchen is a cold water supply and a tiled dado, concrete workbench, cooking bench and a shelf. Dados in communal places - staircases, entrance halls, corridors, etc. are in gay, multi-colour mosaic tiles.
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Town centre
The heart and pride of the estate is the multi-level town centre whose pro- menade decks offer magnificent views out to sea and the distant islands.
Covering an area of about 72,000 sq.ft., it surmounts a slope down to Kellett Bay and is linked at different levels to adjacent blocks of flats on three sides. Height of the main podium deck above sea level is approximately 140 ft. while the lowest deck is about
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Far East BUILDER, March 1970