May_1965 — Page 4

and other South East Asian points to accept building projects.

It will also accept big home building projects.

GOVERNMENT HOUSE REDECORATED

WORK on redesigning and redecorating the interior of Government House, Hong Kong, has now been complet- ed at a cost of about HK$900,000.

The Government Public Works and Stores Depart- ments carried out the work to an overall design by local interior decorator, Mrs. Ruth Robertson, who is said to have taken her inspiration from the 18th century archi- tect, Robert Adam. Mr. D. W. McDonald, senior gov- ernment architect, co-ordinated plans.

In many cases skilled local craftsment worked from life-sized drawings prepared by Robert H. Bollore,

a

Ballroom, "Lambrikan" swags over the dias are of wine red velvet. The general colour scheme is Wedgwood blue, with white and gold contrasts on the ceiling and column de- coration.

Living room. The background is again Wedgwood blue and white, Carpets and furniture are locally made.

French designer and cabinet-maker now living in Hong Kong, who put on blue-print Mrs. Robertson's ideas for the furniture, architraves and moulded ceilings in the main drawing room. The latter were executed by Ozeo Acconci, an Italian resident in Macao, and the delicate gypsum sections of the new ceiling were shipped to Hong Kong by junk.

INSTANT HOMES FACTORIES

FACTORIES for producing prefabricated housing units would be set up in Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh, Penang and Johore Bahru the Malaysian Minister of Local Govern- ment and Housing, Mr. Khaw Kai Boh, said last month. The Minister made the statement before leaving on

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a 12-day study tour of industrial housing techniques in France. He said he would try to attract French par- ticipation in Malaysia's housing programme because "they know best how to solve the problem of low-cost housing in our country".

This was Mr. Khaw's second trip abroad for drawing up a blue-print to provide cheap homes for Malaysians. The first was in August last year when he visited Frankfurt, Bonn, Dusseldorf, Hamburg and Copenhagen.

MINIMUM WAGE BILL

CRITISISM of the Philippine Government's Minimum Wage Bill is contained in the official publication of the Philippine Contractors Association. The president of the association, Mr. David M. Consunji, writes: "The con- struction industry is concerned about the Bill, not because contractors do not want their workers to enjoy its be- nefits, but because of its immediate effect once it is signed into law."

The construction trades would find it very difficult to adjust themselves to the immediate effect of the 50 per cent. minimum wage increase from P4 to P6. This was because the cost of the construction contracts, which had been consummated and were now in effect, were arrived at on the basis of the existing minimum wage of P4.

Contractors, Mr. Consunji adds, believed that the increase should be effected on a graduated basis, but would be willing to settle for a concession similar to that accorded to government departments where the P6 mini- mum wage will take effect on July 1, 1965.

BIG HOUSING PROJECT

A SYNDICATE of businessmen in Penang, Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur, has formed a new company, Ipoh Garden, Ltd., to launch a M$30 million housing development project in Ipoh.

Mr. Tan Chin Nam, managing director of the new company, told a press conference in Ipoh last month that a site of 230 acres had been acquired between the Perak Stadium and Canning Gardens for the project, which when completed would be the largest single housing scheme in Malaysia.

Plans provide for a total of 2,300 dwellings. These will include 1,615 terraces units, 544 semi-detached houses and 68 detached houses. Two schools and a shopping centre with cinema and medical facilities will also be erected.

Mr. Tan said that the company had engaged the services of an expert to undertake a programme of tree planting to line all the roads with shade trees. Work on levelling the site had just begun and work on the first phase of 200 houses would start in June.

HOTEL AND OFFICES

A HOTEL, offices, restaurant and night club in a 17-storey block are planned on the site of the 40-year old Nathan Hotel in Nathan Road, Yaumati, Kowloon. Demolition of the existing building is about to start and the new complex is scheduled for completion by the end of 1967. The owners of the hotel are Luk Hoi Tong Co., Ltd. Their architect is Mr. G.D. Su.

Estimated cost of the new building is HK$17 million. The hotel will occupy the eigth floor and above, while the remainder will be offices, shops and restaurant.

PROPOSAL TO MOVE CAPITAL

PROFESSOR of Architecture at Chulalongkorn University, An Niminanhemindra, has put forward a proposal for removing the capital of Thailand to a place north of Bangkok.

In submitting his proposal to the Thai Government, he explains that Bangkok is getting too crowded, being the centre of administration, industry, commerce and residence. More and more people were attracted to the

area.

Far East Architect & Builder May, 1965