structural steel. Because this unsup ported cantilever projects so far. it was essential for it to be as light weight as possible.
in
By fabricating the cantilever mem- hers (except at the anchorages which are bolted), it was possible to limit the total weight of the steel work to 150 tons and that of each member to only 5 lb. per ft. run. This makes it possible for the roof to support the additional weight of a lighting bridge at the outer end,
Roof cladding for the auditorium and main buildings
and wall cladding for the exterior walls of the stage house is of 6 ft. x 2 ft. X 2 in. thick lightweight wood-wool slabs treated to render them fire and insect resistant. The cladding is be ing weatherproofed and
and painted
in situ.
Earthworks for the theatre began in 1961 and were completed by August of that year. At the end of 1962. building work started and the stage house and the two, two-storey wings were completed in time for the highly-successful South East Asia Cultural Festival held there in August 1963. Since the festival, work
We
has continued on the auditorium can. tilever roof which is now rearing completion. The budget for the whole project now stands at M$2.2 million.
Architecturally. the National Theatre is pleasingly expressive of its main function as a 'people's theatre built and drawing on the inherent qualities of its materials
the rug- gedness of fair-face" concrete. malleability of steel, the rich colour- ing of brick and the luminosity of glass for its aesthetic effect.
the
the
en-
The natural surroundings trees framing the main street trance and the tree-covered hillside behind are left untouched and un- spoiled and harmonise effectively with the building. In this setting. a more ornate structure of extravagant materials would have been inappro priate as well as tasteless.
As it is. the Singapore National Theatre will serve its purpose well a place where the ordinary people of Singapore of every
race and every
section of society can participate in the cultural life of the city in pleasant informal surroundings and a place where the rich and varied culture
streams of the different races can be gradually merged into a single dis- tinctive Malaysian culture.
The general contractor
was the Oriental Structural Co. Specialist contractors for stage
stage equipment. lighting and sound equipment were H.A. O'Connor and Co, Ltd. and for mechanical ventilation. Jardine Waugh (S) Ltd.
Sub-contractors and suppliers in
cluded.
PILING: Koh Han Kok.
STRUCTURAL STEEL WORK: George Kwok & Brothers.
SANITARY WORK: Fonghin & Co. Ltd.
ELECTRICAL
INSTALLATION:
R.E. Morris & Co. Ltd.
ALUMINIUM LOUVRES & WINDOWS: Diethelm & Co. Ltd.
PRESTRESSED BEAMS: Re.
liance Contractors.
ROOFING & FIRE DOORS: William Jacks (5) Ltd.
SELF-CLOSING LANTERN LIGHTS: Lea Hin Co.
SEATS & REMOVABLE SCREENS: Chuan Seng Iron & Steel Works.
KOH HAN KOK
Room 44, Bank of China Building, Singapore, 1.
are honoured to be entrusted for the complete piling works for
THE NATIONAL THEATRE SINGAPORE
LICENSEES of "RAYMOND" Prestressed Concrete Cylinder Piles (U.S.A.)
Used in:
Telok Datoh Bridge, Selangor Wharf No. 4, Port Swettenham Tanah Puteh Bridge, Kuantan
Kota Tinggi Bridge, Johore
Prai Bridge at Old Chain Ferry site, Butterworth Bridge over Sg. Pontian, Rompin - Endau Road, Pahang Bridge over Sg. Kemaman at Geliga Ferry, Trengganu Bridge over Sg. Chukai at Bukit Kuang, Trengganu Bridge over Sg. Dungun near Dungun, Trengganu Bridge over Sg. Paka at Paka, Trengganu Bridge Tg. Kling P. Samulun, Singapore.
THE HONG KONG & FAR EAST BUILDER VOLUME 18. NUMBER 5
125