December_1965 — Page 26

immediate impression of scale and spaciousness. Rising through the full height of the building to a pent- house roof at the top it serves as a kind of airwell.

At the fourth floor level, overlook- ing the concourse, is the foyer to the main conference hall, and this is reached from the ground and first floors by means of two lift shafts on the east and west sides, differentiated by red and yellow colour respectively.

The central ground floor space of the concourse is utilised as an indoor garden but, with the aid of specially designed movable partitions and screens, can be turned into a flexible exhibition area. Both the concourse and foyer areas are screened against rain by glass curtain walls louvred at body level and open at the top to allow for natural cross ventilation. This use of glass in the central con- course not only ensures excellent na- tural lighting for exhibitions but also gives a pleasing transparency to the building from outside, especially in the evenings.

Conference Hall

The main stairs lead up from the central concourse to the second floor foyer on the sides of the main con- ference hall. The foyer areas, which are naturally ventilated, each open out on to a large cantilevered terrace. and the total space is under the over- hang of the cantilevered main roof. The guide wall leading into the au- ditorium is finished in glass mosaic, with a design inspired by indigenous patterns and colours.

Both the external and internal walls of the auditorium are attractively sheathed with local hardwoods Merbau and Mersawa on the outside and Chengal on the inside the flooring is in Keranji, one of the hardest of local timbers.

while

The ceiling, which is shaped for acoustic purposes. has concealed lighting and ventilating troughs, and consists of pyramidal coffers of gyp- sum plaster on expanded metal.

The stage is not intended for thea- trical performances but will be very suitable for recitals and other musical performances requiring a proper con- cert stage, as well as for public lec- tures and recorded recitals. A full- size concert grand piano has been provided for the hall, together with special music stands and a rostrum when required, and there are also movable platforms on the stage to suit different concert arrangements. Behind the stage are small dressing

rooms.

The main auditorium was designed for international conferences and is fully up to ECAFE and other inter- national convention requirements. Three seating arrangements are avail- able, two of which are for confer- ence purposes.

The first, a U-shaped arrangement, allows room for 265 delegates on the flat floor at the front of the audi-

STAGEDOON COGES

1. CONFERENCE HALL

1.

CONFERENCE OFFICES AND PRESS ROOMS J. EXHIBITION HALL

4. EXHIBITION CONCOURSE

STAFF

רר!

SECTION

MAIN PUBLIC

ENTRANCE

KANI PEDESTRIAN

10

ENTRANCE

and

5. KITCHEN/RECEPTION LOUNGE 6. RESTAURANT/RECEPTION HALL

7.

■

T.U.C. OFFICES AND LIBRARY

SERVICE

!

TUC

1. EXHIBITION CONCOURSE

EXHIBITION HALL

2

3. V.L.P. FOYER

4.

KITCHENS

5. T.U.C. ENTRANCE

RECEPTION LOUNGE

6.

7. MEETING ROOM

STAFF LOUNGE

1. TOILETS

N

•

GROUND FLOOR PLAN

10 20

1. UPPER CONCOURSE

1 RESTAURANT

3. RECEPTION HALL

4. PRESS ROOM

5. CABLE OFFICE

4. CONFERENCE OFFICE

7. ENQUIRY

$. SECRETARIAL OFFICES

9. TOILETS

10. TERRACE

30

FIRST FLOOR PLAN

62

Far East Architect & Builder

December, 1965