GOVERNMENT OFFICES-JOHORE BAHRU.
CAPITAL OF THE STATE OF JOHORE
Architect's perspective view from the south.
The building is situated on a hill overlooking the Straits of Johore, commanding from the top of the tower, which is one hundred and eighty feet in height, a magnificent view of the surrounding coun- try to all points of the compass.
The accommodation provided is in three separate self-contained sections, and very careful planning was required in order to have at the same time easy
communication between the various
departments.
The several sections consist of:
1) The State Council Chamber, with a Retiring Room for the members of the State Council and for His Highness, the Sultan of Johore; Recep- tion and Robing Rooms, each with its own entrance.
Detail of dome and recessed arch above Throne in Great Hall.
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2) The Ceremonial portion of the building. This includes a Great Hall and Throne Room and various ante-rooms with special and separate entrances.
3) Government Offices, housing all departments of Government, including private offices for the Prime Minister and other officials.
The building, which is six storeys in height, exclusive of the tower, is a steel-frame structure with reinforced concrete floors, stone facing and metal windows. In design it is modern, but in detail follows Islamic Indian architecture, including the characteristic chuggas which cast deep shadows, protecting the walls from the direct action of the tropical sun. A very effective use has been made of pierced stone screens, instead of windows, in many parts of the building. The "Purdah" stone balconies, a prominent feature of the main approach front, are also of pierced stonework. The top of the tower is finished in blue and white mosaic, and terminates in the Star and Crescent finial which is finished in gold leaf.
Electric lifts afford access to all floors, an express lift being provided to carry visitors to the Observation Gallery at the top of the tower. In addition there is for the use of the Sultan a private lift, the cage and doors of which are specially designed and decorated with his Coat-of-Arms, dis- playing a fine example of superior metal work.
The Lower Ground Floor affords space for a large Garage, a Post Office and a Cafeteria for Civil Servants.
The Great Hall and Throne Room is approached by a wide flight of monumental steps for processions and other ceremonies, the entry being through an archway fifty feet high. The centre portion of the Throne Room is eighty feet in height from the floor to the flat inner surface of the dome which occupies the entire lower storey of the tower, or the seventh storey of the building. The Dais with the Throne is situated in the centre of the wall opposite the main entrance, recessed beneath a tall arch, and under a mosaic disc bearing in full colour the Arms of Johore. The Throne is of white Italian marble, placed in front of a gilded screen.