THE NEW CITY HALL
Pier and Star Ferry Pier.
The models and the plans of the the whole of the proposed new re- building in relation to the new piers proposed new City Hall were on clamation, including the new Queen's and as it would appear to the on-
looker from the reclamation itself.
The comments expressed through The photographs published on this the medium of newspaper columns page are taken from the model from were generally unfavourable, but various angles which show the new these were more concerned with the
exhibition in the British Council Reading Room on the 7th, 8th and 9th October, for the purpose of giving the public of Hong Kong a preview of the completed project. The model showed
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accommodation provided and the planning of the interior than the ap- pearance of the building itself, al- though the design came in for cri- ticism as well.
The objections to the planning centered around the fact that the City Hall Committee's recommenda- tions for the facilities and the accom- modation to be provided were not followed, and that by far the greater proportion of the area was to be de- voted to a Concert Hall, interest to which would be confined to a rela- tively small proportion of the popula- tion. It was felt that the activities in which larger numbers of people could take part had not been given due con- sideration in the planning.
A storm of objections was also rais- ed to the fact that it was proposed to put part of the Urban Council of- fices in the building. It was felt that the encroachment of a Government office into the building would even- tually lead to a very serious curtail- ment of the public activities for which the City Hall was originally intended. It was also felt that too much of the interior space had been set aside for promenades which many felt was a useless waste of the areas.
Concerning the actual design of the building. it is unfortunate that nothing was heard from architects and other knowledgeable individuals whose criticism would carry some weight. The range of adverse com- ment from members of the public extended from the fact that the build- ing was too low and squat to the fact that it was not of a design which would blend in with the bank build- ings forming its principal background.
Other adverse opinions also includ- ed the shape of the roof covering, the fact that there was too much glass in the exterior of the building, and the verandahs which extend from three sides of the building.
It is absolutely impossible to visual- ize a design which would meet with universal and unanimous approval, but many suggestions were made for the improvement of the design and lay- out which should be given serious con- sideration in the final planning of the building. One fact, which was men- tioned, was that the sum of $16,000,- 000.00 set aside for the construction of the building was, inadequate to pro- vide a really imposing structure and include all the amenities recommend- ed by the City Hall Committee. This may be true to a certain extent, but the fact remains that with $16,000,- 000.00, even in this day and age, sub- stantial building work can be done and should cover essential features in the planning of the City Hall,