March_1966 — Page 37

Far East

ARCHITECT & BUILDER

The oldest trade journal in the Far East

EDITOR: A. G. BARNETT

MARCH 1966

news review

Contents

News Review

33

World News

39

Final Stages of Hong Kong's Ocean

Terminal

49

Ocean Terminal

The mechanical and

electrical services, by Morton R. Berger

52

+

Thai Architecture - Past, Present and

Future, by Prof. An Nimmanahaeminda 56

Medical Library and Student Centre, Hong

Kong University

63

Precast Cruciform Units Frame Research

Centre, UK

67

The Architect and Management,

by Prof. W.G. Gregory

71

Civil Engineering Section

The Tokyo Expressway, by A.G.S. Danaraj 75 Hydraulic Pipe Dredge for Thailand Port

Project

New Materials and Equipment

New Contractors' Plant

Building Plans Approved

Contracts Awarded

Books

77

79

83

87

89

91

Cover Picture: Buddhist Temple at Chiengmai, Thailand. Professor An Nimmanahaeminda writes on Thai Architec- ture past, present and future, on page 56.

Published monthly by Far East Trade Press Ltd., 1908, Prince's Building, Hong Kong. Tel: 241031 European Office: Building and Contract Journals Ltd., 32 Southwark Bridge Road, London, S. E. 1. Tel: Waterloo 2060. Printed by Shum Shing Print- ing Co., 7 Ship Street, Hong Kong. Tel: 724513.

Controlled circulation to 5,000 qualified readers

THE CHALLENGE TO HK ARCHITECTS

THE creation of a brighter and better environment for the Colony's population was the main challenge facing Hong Kong's architects, said Mr. Stanley Kwok in his inaugural speech as president of the Hong Kong Society of Architects.

-

Mr. Kwok compared the problem to that which faced Coventry and Rotterdam two decades ago but instead of bomb damage the Colony was faced with dilapidated structures. By the preparation of a Slum Clearance Report, the HK Govern- the had already furthered

architects must now carry through with its implementation.

ment

cause:

"We are all aware that after a tremendous boom in development we are now faced with what is described as a period of recession", said the new president. "This re- cession, good or bad, has ultimately pointed out to us the various pro- blems and to a certain extent the shortcomings of our profession, and I believe that now is the time for us to subject ourselves to a detailed ex- amination in order that we may appreciate and learn from our past errors.

Mr. Stanley Kwok

"Although, when one reflects on statistics, it is diff- cult to relate a recession to the fact that in 1965 construc- tional work amounted to HK$950.000.000 as against $850,000,000 in 1964. But then figures can sometimes be misleading, especially when bearing in mind the fact that development is extremely difficult to slow down and the effect on statistics invariably does not show until a year or so has elapsed."

CAUSE OF THE BOOM

To trace the cause of the boom would be very com- plicated, continued the president. It seemed that there were three main factors.

First, a large amount of overseas remittance which prior to the boom was sent back to the Mainland of China was instead diverted to Hong Kong, either to house relatives who may have come to live there or for invest- ment. This resulted in a high rate of return due to the shortage of housing at that time.

The second cause was due to the transition of Hong Kong from an entrepot to an industrial city. This indus- trial boom created a vast potential employment and consequently created an affluent middle-class and working group.

As an example, the domestic worker's wage increased from $40 to $60 in the late 40's and early 50's to $250 Daily labour increased from $3 to to $300 at present. $5 to $9 to $11 and skilled carpenters from $12 to ap- proximately $24. This combined with the expanding population in Hong Kong created a corresponding demand for flats.

Thirdly, this demand associated with the Building

Far East Architect & Builder March, 1966

33