The wings of the Throne Hall are forty-five feet in height, their far sides forming balconies with pierced stone screens, enabling spectators to observe the ceremonies while remaining themselves unseen from the Hall.
The State Council Chamber is on the main floor. It is air-conditioned, and has been so constructed that acoustically it has been brought to a high degree of perfection. The entire exterior wall of the Council Chamber consists of pierced stone screens, but these are backed by metal windows necessitated by the air-conditioning. These screens separate the Chamber from a great terrace where members on occasions may entertain their friends to
tea.
Government Offices occupy the remainder of the building with the exception of the Observation Gallery at the top of the tower.
The metal work generally is of bronze, and the floor of the main halls, corridors and monumental spaces are of ceramic mosaic or marble.
The building was completed in 1941, and was slightly damaged shortly afterward by bomb and shell fire.
Architects...... Chief Designer..
.Palmer & Turner W. A. Dunn, Esq.
General Contract....Ah Hong & Co., of Shanghai. Steel Frame.......
Lifts..
Steel supplied by the Broken Hill Co. of Australia and fabricated by United Engineers in Singapore under the direct supervision of the Architect. .Otis Co. of New York.
Air Conditioning....Carrier Co.
Bronzework..... Plumbing...
W. W. Wagstaff, Shanghai.
S'hai Waterworks Fittings Co., Ltd.
R
(ABOVE) View of front of building before completion.
(LEFT) One of the pierced stone screens showing the Arms
of Johore carved in stone in nearly full relief.
(BELOW) An impression of the Great Hall showing the Throne Taken from a photographie negative).
This article appeared in our August September 1948 issue which is now out of print. Owing to the number of requests
we have received for copies of the above, we decided to reprint it. The Editor.
-
70