LLLLL
DET UU ATE
HONG KONG"
NEW
BUILDING
CENTRE
The question of whether a Building Centre should be established in Hong Kong has been the subject of discussion in the building industry for many years. On 25th August, 1950, a luncheon was held in the Jacobean Room. Hong Kong Hotel, at which representatives of about thirty firms dealing in building materials were present. The object of the meeting was to discuss the scheme for a Building Centre as proposed by Mr. H. Graye of the Hong Kong Building Service Ltd.
Previous to this meeting, all the architects were given details of the scheme and were asked to give their opinion as to its feasibility. The architects expressed their approval of the scheme by an overwhelming majority.
Briefiy, the Building Centre as proposed for Hong Kong follows the lines of similar institutions in large cities in England and America. with important innovations which would enlarge the scope of the local institution.
The idea is to set up a permanent exhibition and sales room where every type of building material and product could not only be placed on display but demonstrated and tested under actual working conditions.
The Building Centre of Hong Kong, unlike those in other cities which are usually located in the centre of the town, is to be housed in a building now being erected on Island Road just beyond Aberdeen.
At first glance this may appear to be a disadvantage, but the location of the building away from the centre of the town permits of a flexibility of purpose and of function which multiplies the activities of the Building Centre, and thereby increases its usefulness to architects, to prospective purchasers and to exhibitors. Its location also makes possible an economy of operation which allows for the widest possible service at the lowest possible cost.
Since one of the objects of the Building Centre is to provide thousands of building owners and contractors in the Colony with the opportunity of viewing the wide range of materials available in Hong Kong and of introducing to them new materials as they become available, the location on the main road with ample open areas around it will make possible the comfortable accommodation of any number of visitors. It needs little imagination to visualize how impossible it would be to do this were it located in an office building in town where the congestion of road and pedestrian traffic is over- whelming.
There is an even greater advantage in having the Centre at Aberdeen. The peculiar weather conditions of Hong Kong with its high humidity extended over long periods of the year is particularly hard on materials which prove entirely satis- factory in use in other parts of the world. Importers of materials will have ample facilities there to prove the suitability of their products for Hong Kong. Not only cat. weather tests be made, but fire, load and water tests carried out, and demonstrations of local handicraft will also be staged. This will serve to demonstrate not only the value and the application of materials but will also arouse public interest in them.
For the benefit of architects, engineers and others, descrip- tions and prices of all materials available or obtainable in Hong Kong will be kept on file, and small private offices will be provided for quiet and uninterrupted compiling and collating of information. It is also proposed to maintain a comprehensive reference library concerning all kinds of build- ing materials not normally available.
One of the main functions of the Building Centre will be to publicize and stimulate the use of building materials
both in Hong Kong and in China. The volume of new building construction at the moment has fallen off considerably, and an improvement cannot be anticipated for some time to come. However, repair and maintenance work is an annual necessity and a great deal can be done to stimulate this type of expenditure during the quiet periods. The Building Centre by judicious publicity and attractive displays can draw the interest of thousands of building owners in Hong Kong to the necessity for keeping their properties in good condition and explain the best materials with which to attain this object. Those who are planning to re-decorate or alter and enlarge existing premises will also be interested,
Trading conditions with China are unfortunately still a nebulous prospect of the future. However, signs are not wanting which point to the definite possibility that the demand for materials of every description will increase. It will be the aim of the Building Centre to exploit every possible means of informing prospective buyers in China of the building materials that are available from or can be ordered through Hong Kong importers, and to publicize the fact that the Building Centre will welcome their enquiries and are in a position to supply them with all information they may require. Arrangements will be made to receive and assist buyers who visit Hong Kong.
It is also planned to incorporate a private dining room and lounge for the use of architects, exhibitors and other members of the Building Centre where light refreshments can be obtained and where meetings can be arranged.
Finally, to cater to the large number of public visitors expected, it is hoped to be able to complete arrangements for the inclusion of a restaurant and cafe.
The Building Centre will be opened to the public from noon to 8:00 or 9:00 p.m. each evening, including Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, and situated as it is, between Aberdeen and Deepwater Bay, it will be a convenient stopping place where valuable information can be obtained. interesting things can be seen and refreshments obtained at one and the same time.
The following firms are amongst those who up to the present have indicated their intention to participate in the Building Centre:
Bank Line (China) Ltd. Davie, Boag & Co., Ltd. Dodwell & Co., Ltd.
Dreyer & Co., Ltd.
East Asiatic Co., Ltd. Gilman & Co., Ltd.
Getz Bros. & Co.
Green Island Cement Co., Ltd.
Imperial Chemical Industries (China) Ltd. Inniss & Riddle (China) Ltd. William Jacks & Co., Ltd.
Jardine Engineering Corp., Ltd.
Keen Sang Brickworks Ltd.
E. Ott & Co., Ltd.
Shewan, Tomes & Co., Ltd.
Harry Wicking & Co., Ltd.
Mr. A. H. Basto, F.R.I.B.A., is the architect for the build- ing, and Mr. K. Smith-Mitchell designed the front facade. The Hong Kong Building Service Ltd. of Room 117 Prince's Build- ing will manage the project.
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