December_1965 — Page 4

of buildings, quite another to be able to deliver the goods in the face of restricted credit facilities and inadequacy of capital.

"However", he continued, "this industry, with an elephant's appetite for investment and manpower, has a tendency to trumpet for help when faced by quite small mice. Abandonment is a dramatic word which should not be confused with postponement of construction and in this context Government's recently announced relaxa- tion of time limits for building development is im- portant.

"It is somewhat confusing that though we are told there is a recession, present enquiries reveal no lack of employment and a rising standard of living.

"Further, it is interesting that, in addition to a vast and accelerated programme of civil development

by Government, work is in progress on no less than 17 buildings, ranging in height from 15 to 29 storeys, and these do not include two large power stations, the product of joint overseas and local enterprise. It is indeed a hopeful sign that the world has discovered Hong Kong."

In conclusion, Mr. Kadoorie said: "Today we live in a world of uncertainty and our ends may be shaped by events over which we have no control.

on

our

surveyors

―

"In such a world we are more than ever dependent physical accountants, able to evaluate and to face the future with quiet confidence, basing their practice on the ideals of an institution which has stood the test of time so well.”

MALAYSIAN AIRWAYS HEADQUARTERS

MALAYSIAN Airways has ended speculation that it might shift its headquarters from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur with an announcement that work is to continue on the construction of its M$11 million building at Robinson Road. Singapore.

Piling and substructure work for the 18-storey block is due for completion in March and tenders have already been called for the superstructure.

The building will comprise a three-storey podium with a square tower mounted on one side. The archi- tects are Malayan Architects Co-Partnership.

NEW PHASE OF ROAD COMPLEX

CONSTRUCTION work on another section of Kapok Drive leading from the Queen's Road Flyover to the lower Peak Tram terminus will start shortly in Hong Kong.

This new road is a major feature of the Garden Road Complex which covers the area between Harcourt Road and Robinson Road.

Kapok Drive will eventually run from Harcourt Road along the line of the Albany Nullah to join Garden Road just below the YWCA building. The section to be built now will take traffic from the Queen's Road East flyover

The foundation stone for this five- storey building, to be erected in the compound of the Chulalongkorn Me- dical University, was laid recently by His Majesty the King of Thailand.

Estimated to cost almost 5 million baht, the building will house the University's Dentis- try Department. It is due for comple- tion by the end of 1966.

The architect is Lt. Col. Ararm Ra- tanakul Serirernglit, Chief of Housing Welfare Division, Department of Pu- blic Welfare, Minis- try of Interior.

to a section of elevated roadway to be built Lower Peak Tram terminus at a later date.

near

the

The new road runs along the line of the Albany Nullah and before construction of the road can start, the open nullah has to be replaced by a 96 in. diameter con- crete culvert and retaining walls formed, so that filling materials may be placed up to the level of the new road. When completed, this section of Kapok Drive will be 900 ft. long and will provide a 34 ft. wide carriageway for three lanes of one-way traffic proceeding in the direction of the Peak.

Special measures are being taken during the con- struction work to preserve as many trees as possible along the route and alsɔ to provide 12 ft. wide planting strips along the western edge of the road wherever possible.

COMMERCIAL CENTRE PROGRESS

GEYLANG Serai, one of Singapore's largest suburbs, is to have a modern commercial centre occupying two acres of land between Geylang Road and Onan Road.

There will be a shopping arcade, cinema, bank. restaurants, a car park for 200 vehicles and other facili- ties. A clock tower will dominate the site.

To make way for the project, the 40-year-old Gar- rick Theatre is to be demolished.

Called Galaxy, the project is being undertaken by South East Asia Film Co. Ltd. and has been designed by Mr. Kumpulan Akitek. The total cost of construction which is expected to be completed next year, is estimated at M$1.5 million.

The first phase of the programme, the cinema. which is in fact the centre piece has been completed. Construction on the second phase will start soon.

A feature of the cinema is the ceiling which simulates a night sky dotted with a galaxy of planets glowing in a variety of colours. The auditorium can seat 824 people and the seats, in gold and black upholstery. were designed and manufactured by Heywood-Wakefield of the United States. The walls and ceiling are treated with Minaboard acoustic tiles.

BUILDING PLANS APPROVED

FIFTY-TWO plans for new buildings of all types in Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories were approved by the Building Authority in October. During the same month 91 completed buildings were certified for occupa- tion. Of these. 13 were buildings for domestic purposes. 36 for non-domestic purposes and 42 for combined do- mestic and non-domestic use.

In the previous month 56 plans were approved and 94 buildings were completed.

Cost of new building work in the Colony during the month of October was HK$49,824,742. Another $3,000,926 was spent on site formation work. New

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Far East Architect & Builder December, 1965