DN-
UP.
Each flat is for an average sized family of five persons. And. for its occupants. there will be a store and bicycle shed on the ground floor.
The project stands on state land and is financed by Federal loans,
The main structure is in rein- forced concrete and rests on a raft foundation. Hollow concrete decora. tive blocks forming screen walls are used around staircase enclosures to give maximum light penetration.
Hollow blocks are also being used for infill panels. Another feature is the projection of beams and columns to express each flat externally.
In other words, looking at the flats from the outside, one will be able to see at once that there is one flat here, one flat there, etc. Other- wise, the two blocks will look like big hostels.
Right on top there is a roof terrace in each block which can be converted if desired into roof gardens. There
THE HONG KONG & FAR EAST BUILDER-VOLUMË 17, NUMBER 4
is also space here for drying clothes. But knowing the usual practice of Malayan women in hanging out thei clothes from balconies, the authori ties are also providing clothes-lines outside the balconies in order to avoid the usual flagpoles of clothes hanging from bamboo poles from the balconies.
It is expected, however, that the householder will neither hang out their clothes to dry on the ground at the rear of the building nor on the roof.
This is one problem which has always stumped architects in Malaya. To provide a centre well is expensive and not practical in multi-storey buildings because the sun will not reach the lower storeys. The house- holders will not use the backyards nor the roof.
It looks as if this clothes-hanging outside buildings will be a permanent decorative feature peculiar to Asian countries, especially in Chinatowns.
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