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THE HONG KONG AND FAR EAST BUILDER
(Left) View of the corridor-verandah on
the south side of the building which provides each flat with a sunporch-cum- corridor-cum-utility room.
(Below) A general view of the buildings showing the compound separating them, the main entrance, covered playground, and car
shelters.
As far as the question of sumptuous accommodation is concerned it is difficult to see how the rooms could have been made smaller, or the flat area reduced without cramping the accommodation to the extent of reducing the value of the buildings considerably. It is true that there is an extra large corridor included in each flat, but this corridor serves several purposes. It faces south and is really an enclosed sun-porch verandah from which the sun may be enjoyed during the winter months As a corridor it provides access to all bedrooms and a bathroom, and in a pinch could be used as an extra bedroom.
There is also a certain amount of waste space on the ground floor, but in a building accommodating thirteen families this is inevitable as a considerable amount of com- mon space is required.
The flats have been planned to ensure direct and efficient through ventilation to all rooms. Consequently they are very cool during the summer enabling air con- ditioning to be entirely dispensed with.
We have attempted to reproduce as clearly as possible details of the flats which will give a better idea of what is comprised therein. As can be seen, particular attention
was given to the provision of main essentials such as cor- rect orientation, efficient sound insulation, and the provision of domestic conveniences such as built-in cupboards, ample kitchen facilities, including electric cookers, and laundry facilities for which gas coppers were installed and a greatly appreciated hot electric drying cupboard provided where the daily quota of laundry may be quickly dried ready for ironing even on the most humid days.
A thermostatically controlled hot water system provides constant hot water to bathrooms and kitchens,
The feeling of light and airy spaciousness has been obtained by the arrangement of the rooms rather than by their size.
All piping is concealed in internal ducts, the wall surfaces and fittings kept plain and there is a feeling of neatness and cleanliness throughout the construction.
Blocks have been staggered as shown on the plans to ensure uninterrupted view and prevailing breeze.
To people who are accustomed to construction work from the designing and costing angle the whole scheme appears a very reasonable one.
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