ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE.
CHIEF ARCHITECT A. M. J. WRIGHT, A.R.I.B.A., A.R.I.C.S.
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NEW CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES.
Preliminary designs have been prepared for new Central Government Offices to be accommodated on a site extending from Garden Road in the east to Ice House Street in the west.
10. Provision has been made for the demolition of the old buildings and the erection of the new buildings in three stages: stage I comprises the eventual Public Works Department wing which will occupy the former Defence Force site; stage II comprises the new Secretariat building and Council Chamber and will occupy the present Secretariat site; and stage III comprises the erection of the largest block which will accommodate other Government Departments at present housed in rented offices.
11. The location and shape of the site has resulted in buildings with horizontal as opposed to vertical circulation. Adequate provision of lifts at the Ice House Street entrance will provide good means of access to the offices for persons approaching from the city.
12. The planning principle adopted throughout is one of office space on either side of central corridors, the depth of offices being determined as the average between requirements for single offices and large registries and draughting rooms. Fenestration is designed in 4′ 6″ units so that offices may be built up of any multiple of this figure. It is anticipated that the entire building will be air-conditioned, but the building has been planned so that natural ventilation can be relied on if necessary.
13. Working drawings for Stage I are in preparation and building work is expected to start in September, 1951.
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS.
14. Residence for the Colonial Secretary. The house formerly occupied by the Colonial Secretary was seriously damaged during the war and subsequently demolished. A new house has been constructed on a site a little less than one acre in area along Barker Road. The house has been planned with the main rooms facing north in order to avoid excessive sun penetration and also to take advantage of the fine view over the harbour. The main accommodation consists of a drawing room—30' x 18', dining room—24' x 18', study—18' x 14'; master bedroom,
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