No_2_1955 — Page 16

SOUTH

BED

ROOM NO 3

MASTER [BED ROOM),

ф

VERANDAH

DAY ROOM

SINVAL

SERVICE VERANDAH.

ROOMS

KITCHEN

DINING ROOM

SVT.

HALL LIFT

LANDING

CORRIDOR

CLOSE I

BEO ROOM NO 2

LIVING ROOM

NORTH

VERANDAH:

BALCONY

16.

S CA

24

IL Ε

BALCONY

DINING ROOM

1

DRY ROOM

BED ROOM NO. 3

CORRIDOR

LIVING ROOM

BED ROOM NO. 2

Typical floor plan-two apartments per floor.

tic construction, particularly where it was necessary to erect large num- bers of dwellings as speedily as pos- sible and where the elements of cost enter into the picture.

MASTER BED ROOM

of which join the balcony flanges and unite, symmetrically and decl- sively, the vigorous lines of the whole front elevation.

Every detail of the fittings, both interior and exterior, has been care- fully planned and designed to har- monise with the character of the building. The wrought iron railings

and verandahs

stair to balconies. banisters, and the heavy special sec- tion steel windows are but two exam- ples of this unity in the whole design.

The layout of the apartments fol- lows more or less conventional plan- ning, with the living room and din- ing room placed on either side of the main entrance hall, and the three bedrooms grouped around the access corridor. There is a bathroom at- tached to each of the bedrooms. In addition to the clothes closets in each bedroom, there is a particularly large drying room provided for each apartment. An attractive fireplace with built-in bookcase features each

The lines of the front facade of the building are bold and incisive; a heavy vertical effect, produced by the built-in flower boxes which form the inside walls of the open bal- conies, contrasting with the horizon- However, this generality cannot be tal emphasis obtained by the heavy applied to such truly modern build- flanged louvres above these balconies living room, whilst a built-in side- ings, for example, as skyscrapers which have the practical purpose of board lit with concealed lighting is that rise majestically and boldly into acting as sunshades and air ventila- the outstanding fitting in the dining the sky, overwhelming in their sheer tors. The wide enclosed verandahs room. The placing of the servery mass and stupendous size, yet often on either side of the balconies which and kitchen contiguous to, yet sepa- exhibiting a delicacy of line and form the main feature, have extend- rate from, the dining room deserves precision of proportion which is far ing canopies, the unbroken lengths special mention.

more impressive than the wealth of ornamentation and the riot of colour which is characteristic of other styles.

It is true, however, that in the field of domestic architecture the modern style can be very dull and insipid. It is therefore all the greater pleasure for us to be able to illustrate an apartment block just recently com- pleted in Hong Kong, which, in our opinion, deserves to be considered as an outstanding example of the best of its type of modern architecture.

The building in question is the Senior Staff Quarters of the Hong- kong and Shanghai Bank, designed by Mr. Eric Cumine. It is really a five- story building, but the eight flats, two on each floor, are built above a low-ceilinged ground floor which, with the exception of the entrance foyer. is left entirely open for a loggia on the west side of the main central lift hall and a children's covered play- ground on the east side. The stair- case hall in the centre of the build- ing, which is of extremely generous proportions, of course, extends down to the ground floor, whilst the columns supporting the structure at this level are painted a dark colour and are lost in the shadows. The general effect is that of the main mass of the building standing free on a central support, an effect which dramatically emphasises the balance and symmetry of the entire building.

T

Details of concrete flanged louvres and flower bares.

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