NEDERINDHA
Photograph (A) General View
In our issue of January February 1949 we described two very attractive residences which were projected for a site on Island Road at the base of Brick Hill. The second one was completed some time ago and photographs taken recently prove that the objects aimed for in the architect's original design were most successfully accomplished.
The design of the building was influenced by the desire for privacy from the main road and the residence on the adjacent lot and also to take advantage of the contours and the trees which were existing on the site. Windows have been located so as to pick out very attractive views out to sea, and these views have been framed naturally by the large trees which were carefully preserved during the course of construction work.
The somewhat odd shape of the living room was the outcome of these requirements. The large windows have had to be carefully protected both from the sun and the rain and this was done by providing overhanging canopies of varying sizes. The sizes of the canopies vary as they were designed to exclude the sun from the rooms during the summer months and yet allow sunshine to enter in winter. The arrangement of the main rooms is informal and the living and dining rooms are visible from the study through a large arch opening. Stone work, roughly dressed, has been used extensively both inside and outside the house,
A description of the house may probably best be given by reference to the photographs.
(A) A general view of the house from upper lawn showing the use of the structural stone work as a decorative feature. Garden divided into two levels. Upper level accessible from the ground floor bedroom and leading from the house to the lower garden which is accessible from living room through large French windows. The sun deck above the living room
is accessible from the master bedroom through the French windows which are visible on the photograph. (B) View from living room looking towards dining room. The informal arrangement of living and dining rooms is clearly seen from this photograph. The only separation between the two rooms being the difference in level. Stone work of fireplace and also of wall adjacent to steps leading to dining room is the same in the interior of the house as for the exterior. Archway from the study is visible just above these steps.
(C)
Another aspect of the living room taken from the dining room level. The photograph also clearly shows the view through the picture window of living room terrace and lawn and of Middle Island in the distance. The French window at left leads on to a large porch.
(D) The master bedroom looking on to sun deck. The precast insulating roof tiles which may be clearly observed in the photograph provide an attractive and practical surfacing. (E) Entrance Hall. The staircase leading to the main bedrooms and an opening from hall into dining room is shown in this picture. The floor of the hallway is laid up in weathered stone crazy paving which extends through from the front door of the entrance porch.
Architect: Mr. K. Smith-Mitchell of the Metropolitan
Land Co., Ltd.
General Contractor: Metropolitan Construction Co., Ltd. Electrical Installation: Jardine Engineering Corp. Ltd. Plumbing: Carter & Sutton,
Standard Fixtures: Andersen, Meyer & Co., Ltd. Steel Windows: China Steel Works Ltd.
Insulating Roof Tiles: Hong Kong Building Service Ltd.
H
Photograph (B) The Living Room
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