world news
1969 World congress on precast concrete
THE sixth International Congress of the Bureau International du Béton Manufacturé (BIBM), the in- ternational organization of the precast concrete indus- try, will be held in Amsterdam from May 17 to 23 1969. The congress is to be organized by the Nether- lands member association of the BIBM, the 'Bond van Fabrikanten van Betonwaren in Nederland' (Associa- tion of Concrete Products Manufacturers in Holland).
In view of the success of the two previous con- gresses, held in Paris in 1963 and in London in 1966, more than 1,500 participants from countries throughout the world are expected at the Amsterdam Congress. This reflects the enormous development and growth in applications of factory-made precast concrete which has taken place in recent years in both the industrial and the developing countries.
The sixth BIBM Congress will reflect the results of this growth. The programme includes such sub- jects as quality control and mechanisation, the use of lightweight concrete, and precast elements in bridge construction.
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Further information about the congress ing copies of the preliminary announcement obtained from the Congress Organiser: Organisatie Bureau Amsterdam N.V., P.O. Box 7205, Amsterdam.
Chamber of Commerce building completed in Osaka
THE Osaka chamber of commerce, Japan's oldest, has recently moved into a new eight-storey home with a floor space of 19,566 sq. metres.
Earthquake resistant walls are provided on both sides of the structure which has two basement floors, one for car parking. The facade and rear bearing walls are covered with white marble slabs.
The 1,600 sq. metre conference hall, which oc- cupies the seventh and eigth floors is equipped with a simultaneous interpretation system to accommodate international meetings. Inside walls of the conference hall are amber grey Kalcolor aluminium and the ceiling is made of vinyl-coated iron rails.
Central air conditioning of the building is pro- vided through a combination unit with variable air flow which can be regulated to meet any fluctuation in the building population and in environmental conditions at different times of the day.
The building was completed in 20 months by Takenaka Komuten Co. Ltd.
Guide to metric system for architects
THE National Buildings Organisation of the Gov- ernment of India has published a handbook as a guide to architects on how the changeover to the metric sys- tem will affect different aspects of building construction.
Earthquake engineering, concrete shell structures, prestressed concrete, ventilation and air conditioning, and electrical installations are the titles of some of the 22 chapters included. All information is in metric units in accordance with Indian Standards.
The booklet is available, price Rs. 22, from the Manager of Publications, Civil Lines, Delhi 6.
Chinese Cultural Centre for San Francisco
A HOTEL of 572 guest rooms is included in the 26-storey Chinese Cultural and Trade Centre planned for a site adjoining Portsmouth Square Park, San Francisco. The US$12 million development will also include exhibition space, classrooms and offices for the Chinese Cultural Foundation, an auditorium, dining, parking and commercial facilities.
The building will be linked to the Chinatown area by a pedestrian bridge. Its building form is a response to the three different activity areas it contains. The tower slab houses the guest rooms, the sloping upper base contains the public spaces and the lower base the garage, storage and receiving areas.
The structural system is a steel frame that spreads to accommodate the parking in the lower base and
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Facade of Osaka Chamber of Commerce
International conference hall, occupying two floors
Far East BUILDER, July 1968.
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