No_2_August_1962 — Page 57

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ersity of Hong Kong's new library and idents' Union

Union Building

utilisation of the site, added to the construction costs because the con- tractor had no lorry access to the site, and led to difficulties in plan. ning access.

The new buildings, designed by W. W. C. Shewan, are immediate- ly behind and some sixty feet above the existing Arts Building and Great Hall on a site bounded by steep cut- tings and slopes.

Access was finally obtained by a staircase within an enclosed can- tilevered bridge which leads from the top floor of the Arts Building to the entrance of the Library by way of the open ground floor of the Students' Union. All other methods of providing access would have in volved the climbing of many more stairs and walking some distance.

But however great the problems posed by the awkward site and by the limitations of access, the net result of the exercise has been to add to the University two attractive buildings, well planned for their purpose in a more modern idiom than that of the chief existing build. ings. In spite of being so different from the rather Colonial-classic ap- pearance of the older buildings they add to the attractive picture of a growing and lively university set in surroundings that many other univer sities overseas would be glad to

possess.

The library building has been planned for as much flexibility as possible. There are no structural

Council chamber of the Students' Union in the Union building.

bearing partitions and the minimum number of partitions have been used in dividing up the floors.

processing

The layout was in accord with the outline of the book method in use, but again the design is purposely flexible to allow for rearrangement on other lines if working experience or the preference of future librarians indicates it to be necessary.

seats

The number of readers' which can be provided depends upon the way the library is laid out. For instance, when book space for 336,- 800 books is allowed. there is read- ing space for 470 readers. Increasing the number of books to 390,000 decreases the space for readers to 330.

Flexibility between the number of books and readers can therefore he arranged and when the books start

to push out the readers, two addi tional floors can be added to the existing four floors. The foundations and reinforced concrete structure have been designed to permit this expansion. The lift shaft also allows for an additional lift to be added in future.

Gross area of the ground floor is 15,240 square feet. The entrance hall has self-service cloakrooms needing no attendants on each side. Other accommodation on the ground floor includes control, loan desk. circulation and exhibition space (1.860 square feet); main staircase and lift shaft; circulation librarians' office; catalogues and bibliography (2,000 square feet); periodical or- dering room; secretary and waiting room; file space; librarians office; deputy librarians office; committee room; receiving, work room and bindery (1,350 square feet): photo