"BEN VAIR" AT SHEK-O Architects: Messrs. Spence, Robinson and Partners.
Photograph of the building from the hillside.
It is quite some time since we had social centre, the Club. This has in site formation work and in the con- the opportunity of reporting on the no way detracted from their desira- struction of the fairly steep approach construction of a new building in the bility, all being readily accessible road. area administered by the Shek-O from the main road, and all provid- The house, "Ben Vair", at 18 Shek- Development Co. Ltd., at Shek-O, ing different aspects of the beautiful o Road, is deceptively simple in that delightful and exclusive subur- seascape vista.
design. It is well proportioned and ban estate on the long narrow The latest building to be erected is the architects have taken full peninsula which projects beyond the set on a broad spur on the hillside advantage of set-backs, verandah south side of the Island. The build- quite a distance above the west side projections, canopy lines, etc. to ing sites are available only to private of the Shek-O Road. The site, which produce a style of building which, subscribers and, although the de- is about 19,000 sq. ft., is an excellent though modern in theme, avoids the velopment has been slow, they have, one from the point of view of orien- starkness of line and the austerity in the course of years, gradually tation and outlook, but it presented a one normally associates with moder- spread further and further from the few difficulties in connection with nity. It possesses certain individual
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The living room.
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characteristics which immediately label this private residence "home" rather than "house".
The planning of the house follows the conventional pattern of combined living room dining room on the ground floor with pantry, kitchen and kitchen store immediately ad- jacent to the dining room. It varies from the conventional in that the dining room is an odd-shaped one, set somewhat at an angle to the living room and forming а very interesting unit with it. A wide verandah running the full width of the living room merges with а canopied terrace fronting on the dining room, making an open-air extension to the ground floor from which the beautiful view can be enjoyed in comfort and ease.
Another slight variation from the usual is that the garage and servants' quarters are placed at some distance from the house, instead of im- mediately adjoining it, and in such a position as to define and surround