OFFICE BUILDING IN MALAYA
Over the past few months, The China Engineers, Ltd., who have an extensive organisation throughout South-east Asia, have gradually moved into new premises in Singapore and Malaya. This pro- gramme has given them the opportunity of displaying the products of their prin- cipals in the best possible way. The
Jisplays are in the contemporary style, and much use, has been made of lighting and colour; such treatment, it should be added, is not extensively used in the East, and has attracted considerable interest.
The new air-conditioned offices and showrooms in Singapore have been fune- tioning for some months. The China Engineers and their associated companies occupy the first floor of the recently open-
Chartered Bank Building, in Robinson Road, which leads into the famous Ratiles Place named after the founder of Singa- pore.
Redecoration and expansion have also occurred in the Penang and Ipoh offices in Malaya, while the Hong Kong office is expected to move into larger premises early in 1956.
However, the Kuala Lumpur office is of more immediate interest and forms the subject of this article. In July, the Municipal President, Mr. Eames Huglies, officially opened a new five-storeyed build- ing for The China Engineers, Ltd., and their subsidiary companies, George Blunn & Co. Ltd., and Sino-British (Malaya) Ltd. It is located in Ampang Road the new commercial part of that thorough- fare colloquially known as 'The Golden Mile' and is the tallest and most up to date in that section of Kuala Lumpur.
On
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(Above) Architect's perspective drawing of the new building (Below Right) Plans of the ground and fourth floors.
The building is rectangular in shape and is about 110' o" by 37' 0''. At the front of the ground floor is a large show entire showroom; the entrance is to one window, through which may be seen the side of this and leads to a lobby with direct access to the showroom past an- other large display window.
The upper floors may be reached from the lobby by a lift or the staircase. At the back of the ground floor is a large store room with a separate entrance from the rear of the lot.
GEORGE DLUNN & CO LTD.
THE CHINA ENGINEERS LTD.
H
SINO - BRITISH
M. LTD.
The first, second and third floors are partitioned off as offices, while on the top floor is a very large and attractively laid out penthouse apartment.
windows
The building has clear-cut, modern lines and presents an attractive facade to the main road. Above the ground floor level the different floors are defined by alternate bands of solid wall and glazing. The glazing consists of long central flanked by panels of clear glass bricks, which were introduced to give the maxi- inum amount of light in the deep and narrow building, but at the same time provide insulation from the heat. The solid walls are faced with oyster coloured faience tiles. The whole facade is unified by a border of dark green mosaic tiles. The entrance doors are of “Armourplate" glass set in a glass brick surround.
All signs, both internal and external, are executed in a uniform type of letter
A photograph of the building taken at night ing. The names of the firms in block
UTILITY
STORAGE
S H
A
SPACE
O
0
TERRACE
VERANDAH
BATH
DRYING YARD
SVT
SVT
SUN DECK
KIT.
BED
SERVERY ACOM
DINING
A/C
ВЕР ROOM
OPEN AREA
W
LIFT
LOUNGE
M
LOBBY
TERRACE
ENT.
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