January_1966 — Page 60

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An earlier experimental village at Saikung with single-storey houses

Fronts of units at Tsing Yi with walkway access at both levels

Rear view of houses at Tsing Yi

As well as being on a series of different levels, the units at Taipo are laid out in stepped lines on plan. This gives an impression of variety. although the units are identical and simple in design. A community cen- tre, shop and communal toilets are incorporated in the overall plan and plenty of playspace is provided for the large number of children.

The houses themselves are two- storey, with one family on each floor: balconies and stairs give access to the upper floors.

At Taipo there are five stairways for the 24 units. No family has to pass more than three homes to reach its own, but on the other hand the balconies give a circulation at first floor level which adds interest to the scheme.

Rough Texture

The walls of the houses are of un- rendered coursed masonry, and the roofs, which slope downwards from front to back, are of corrugated as- bestos. Dominant features of the houses are the rough texture of the stone walls, the dark wood of the balconies and stairs, and the white roofs with the party walls standing up above them and providing a break between each unit.

The accommodation consists of a kitchen, into which one enters when coming into the dwelling, and a single living room with a long louvred win- dow in the back wall. Upper floor rooms also have a long window ad- mitting light and air to the living room above the kitchen. The living rooms are 15 ft. from front to back and 10 ft. wide; they include a sleep- ing shelf against the kitchen wall. reached by means of a bamboo lad- der. Kitchens, excluding the attach- ed stores but including the through to the room beyond, are 71: ft. by 5 ft.

way

The space standards, and the gen- eral requirements for the designs not only of the house but of the com-

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Far East Architect & Builder January. 1966

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