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Security bl free aco
new Hong
MEETING the combined but very differing security de- mands of a bank and the building ordinance set a pretty problem to the architect in designing the modern branch-bank-cum-office building on
a 2,000 square foot site in Nathan Road. Kowloon, for the Bank of East Asia. Hong Kong's oldest Chinese bank.
In effect Mr. Chu Pin. of Kwan. Chu and Yang. had to provide within his 2.000 square feet thres separate entrances (and exits) and yet keep sufficient space for the main banking hall. The banking department had to be capable of be ing locked securely: yet free access had to be allowed to and from the eleven floors of office space. Similar- ly he had to allow separate access to the two basement floors in which are housed the vaults and safe de posits, without permitting this to be involved with the access to the office floors. These separate entrances take up less than one half of the ground floor.
The twelve storey reinforced con- crete building stands at the corner of Nathan Road and Nelson Street. in the heart of Tsimshatshui's "gol. den mile." Although the ground area is small the building has cost. excluding land, over $2,500,000 be- cause many new materials have been used in its construction.
THE HONG KONG & FAR EAST BUILDER-VOLUME 17. NUMBER 3