March_1968 — Page 4

Preliminary sketch of the Hong Kong pavilion for Expo '70 at Osaka

at a time when the architectural profession was at a low ebb because of the depression in real estate, and might help in a renaissance of architectural appreciation, sorely need- ed by the community.

The call for an open architectural competition was echoed by other critics before publication of the pavilion sketch and re-echoed by many more after. Architect Mr. Jon A. Prescott, again writing in the Morning Post, said that the scheme illustrated just could not be taken seriously as a piece of co-ordinated design work.

"World Expositions", he explained, "have become a vehicle of the utmost sophistication in the presentation of each nation's contribution to the chosen theme. In terms of applied design and architectural presentation Montreal in 1967 offered a superbly high standard. It is anticipat- ed that Expo '70 in Osaka will be even better, especially as the host country is one of the world's leading exponants of both industrial and applied design and modern architecture

"All that the perspective of the proposed Hong Kong pavilion reveals is a completely undistinguished basic structure surmounted by an utter confusion of masts and sails belonging to another form of creation

a boat. The dichotomy of the two parts is not resolved by pretty pools and bridges which fail to be integrated or resolved in relation to the building."

STUDENTS' IDEAS USED

ANOTHER architect, Mr. M. G. Munday, pointed to the many sketch designs produced by students of the School of Architecture, University of Hong Kong, and said that it was clear that some of these ideas had been used by the pavilion designers. Unfortunately, he added, instead of being acknowledged, imaginatively developed and im- proved, some very promising material seemed to have either been ignored, pathetically parodied or misused.

The opportunity to answer their many critics was given to Mr. Fitch and Mr. Grahame Blundell, exhibition administrator, in a television interview on February 19.

Mr. Blundell said that no valid architectural judge- ment could or should be made in architectural terms on the simple perspective sketches. The organisers were not going to seek opinions until the working drawings were properly prepared. When these were complete, the designs would be circulated to recognised international architectur- al publications.

It was only from the full detailed drawings that an- other international architect could judge the merits or the demerits of the design, he added.

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After speaking of the very tight budget which the designers were working to, Mr. Fitch said that the first objective of the exterior design of the pavilion was attrac- tion.

"We want to draw people to the Hong Kong site", he said. "We want visitors to be exhibition to enjoy com- ing our pavilion and to enjoy coming to Hong Kong and if the design does just that then that is what we want".

The controversy is far from ended and the contention that "attraction is everything" has already been question- ed by yet another newspaper correspondent, Mr. Gerald Li. He proclaims: "The question we must be concerned with is what elevates a world exposition above a circus for industrial exhibits".

EIGTH IFAWPCA CONVENTION

MORE than 200 contractors' representatives will attend the eigth convention of the International Federation of Asian and Western Pacific Contractors Association (IFAWPCA) to be held on March 16 23 in Manila.

The presidents of the European and Inter-American contractors federations are also expected to attend, one of the main topics for the meeting being the proposed forma- tion of a World Confederation of Contractors Associations. The Philippine Contractors Association are the hosts and the discussions will be held in the newly constructed Sheraton Hotel in Manila. Mr. Eduardo R. Escobar of the Philippines is the current president of IFAWPCA.

Highlights of the convention will be a technical seminar on the tri-nation Mekong River Project in the Indo-Chinese peninsular and a visit to the Angat Dam project, Luzon,

HK UNDERGROUND RAILWAY PROPOSED

A RAIL rapid-transit system extending over 40 miles, most of it underground, is recommended by the firm of con- sultants appointed two years ago to carry out a feasibility study on Hong Kong's mass transport requirements. The cost of providing the system over the next 17 years would be about HK$3,404 million.

The consultants, Freeman, Fox, Wilbur Smith and Associates, published their report last month. Another transport study, "Hong Kong Passenger Transport Survey, 1964-66", prepared by the Road Research Laboratory of the British Ministry of Transport, also appeared last month, and a third, the "Long-term Road Study", is due out in June.

The Legislative Council is awaiting publication of

Far East Architect & Builder March, 1968