State Cou
Malacca State
NOTHER landmark in the Mala- yan P.W.D. building programme will be the State Council Chamber for Malacca. The superintending architect at P.W.D. Federal Head- quarter, Mr. J. R. Stewart. has completed the design and drawings, while the consulting engineers, Messrs. Keith Edmonds Associates, are completing drawings for the reinforced concrete details. A model of the new building has been made for the State Government and tenders are expected to be invited shortly.
The chamber will be a two-storey- ed reinforced concrete structure having a superficial floor area of about 22,000 sq.ft. It is situated on the slope of historic St. Paul's Hill, about 54 ft. above sea-level. over- looking the Straits of Malacca and having a panoramic view of Malac- ca's coast line with Mount Ophir cutting an oblique silhouette at the southern end.
To keep in sympathy with the general surroundings the chamber has been designed for the landscape. Access to it is by an approach drive fringed on both sides by shade trees and bordered by a garden. At the end of the drive is a car park for about 30 vehicles.
O the ground floor the chamber itself is 50 feet by 50 feet. aircondi- tioned and accommodating 30 coun cillors and 50 spectators. including 14 members of the Press. The floor of the chamber is of teak with nyatoh timber walling with acoustic ceiling fitted with recess and wall lightings.
Attached to the chamber is a press room with modern facilities.
The ground floor also contains a conference room and room for the Speaker. The entrance hall has a miniature pool with glass blue tiles merging into a lobby with a spiral staircase which leads up to the up- per floor.
The upper floor consists of the Chief Minister's office and rooms for his personal and private secre taries. The rooms will have trans- parent panels all round, giving an uninterrupted view of the surround- ings. A fairly large lounge 1.000 square feet in area complete with canteen. counters and other modern conveniences occupies most of the upper floor.
Above the porch in marble exter nal finish is a well-furnished library for relaxed or serious reading.
The entrance elevations are main- ly of marble in different shades. Óther elevations are of glass and modern wall finishes. The roof de- sign with its splayed ends gives a distinctive Malayan feeling to the whole building.
Overall cost of the building com plete with furnishings is estimated to be M$350.000. The construction will be supervised by the P.W.D. Malacca.
Model shows front view
Back view
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