ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE
Assistant Director: G. P. NORTON, A.R.I.B.A.
GENERAL
2.01. The Architectural Office was responsible for the control of the Government building programme. Much of the work was designed and supervised by staff of the office but it was necessary to engage private architects on a number of projects due to the size of the programme in hand.
2.02. Maintenance of all Government and leased property totalling 1,638 buildings was the responsibility of a separate section of this office. 2.03. All work was carried out by contract and the design, supervisory and clerical staff numbered 374. Expenditure on new works rose by 25% to $108,683,000 and was made up of $44,393,000 on resettlement and low cost housing, $23,354,000 on work by private architects, and $40,936,000 for general projects undertaken by the office. A further sum of $7,235,000 was spent on maintenance and alterations, and $924,000 on works carried out from funds received as a result of World Refugee Year.
EDUCATIONAL BUILDINGS
2.04. With the help of private architects and the use of standard plans wherever possible, steady progress was maintained on the construction of new schools. Three 30 classroom primary schools, one each at Blake Gardens, Kai Tak and Kowloon Docks together with Fuk Wah Street Secondary Modern School and the Clementi Middle School were completed. Extensions were also made to Kowloon Junior School and Queen's College. The thirteen projects under construction included new buildings for the Northcote Teachers' Training College, six primary schools, a secondary school, a secondary modern and a secondary technical school, and major extensions to other schools.
2.05. Design and working drawings were in preparation for a further eight 30-classroom primary schools and three secondary schools.
MEDICAL BUILDINGS
Queen Elizabeth Hospital
2.06. Progress on the construction of the main hospital building was very satisfactory and had reached roof level by the end of the year. The
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