5m. 27m.

5m.

10 m. 10m. 14m.

AVAL

HIS

Structural frame of the main hall

in the excavated foundation for longer than a few minutes and also adversely affected the setting of the concrete.

Until these difficulties were over- come work could not proceed. Geologists were consulted to make field studies and various proposals were tried before a successful solution was accomplished by the consultant engineer. Many parallel horizontal holes were bored deep into the geothermal sources and then lined with p.p. pipes to tap the steam to a place 200 ft. away. The few steam- ing holes that remained were sealed off with cement and no troubles have since been observed. This was the first time that such a method of com- bating ground heat on a volcanic site had been tried.

However, despite this work, the ground temperature was still unusually high and likely to affect the strength of the concrete. A special heat- resisting cement (No. 2 Portland cement) blended with fly ash collected from coal-fired power stations was used for the foundation work.

To protect the concrete from cor- rosion by sulphuric substances the whole foundation work, which used no piles, was wrapped in aluminium foil and asphalt paper Jaminate bonded with No. 7 tropical pitch. All concrete work in contact with the earth was coated with pitch.

also

The sulphuric atmosphere corrodes copper and steel fixtures installed both indoors and out, and for this reason stainless steel is used wherever possible. PVC resin paint was generally adopted for coating the timber parts and polyester paint was employed for the coloured ornaments.

Windows are of aluminium extru- sions. During winter stormy weather prevails in the district and all win- dows had to be constructed in double panel design which provides good

Dynastic furniture in the guests circular living room

Far East BUILDER, August 1968.

insulation against sound and heat.

Both the mess hall and the meet-

ing hall are designed for perfect acoustics. Ceilings are sound-proofed and sound-absorbing velvet is used on the back wall so that there is no distortion of speakers' voices.

Ceiling and palace lanterns

In the external decoration the glossy green of the roofs contrasts with a pure white cement finish to the walls. The two are separated by a thin line of red at the eaves. Part of the outer wall finish is of chiseled

white cement imitation stone and part

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