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The design achieved the maximum utilisation of a valuable site, with a centre air well plan with offices on three sides, the fourth being for ser- vices, such as lifts and staircases.
The approach to the air-condition- ed banking hall on the first floor is emphasised by a shell canopy, richly finished in glass mosaics. covering steps bridging the sidewalk across a 20-foot strip of landscaped gardens at the main building front.
The building facade rises above these gardens in a series of vertical fins sheathed in aluminium.
Across the fins are suspended gold anodised aluminium sunbreakers. Over the entire building facade. the architects have exercised a careful discipline in design and choice of materials to reduce future main- tenance to a minimum. and to ex- press a feeling of banking and office efficiency with awareness of modern functional aesthetics.
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The building is erected on rein- forced concrete piles driven to depth of approximately 50 feet. and the whole superstructure is in tein forced concrete construction.
▲ The banking hall is commodious
and affords ready access for business transactions.
Office premises on each floor sur- round an internal sky well which lets in light and air to the corridors and rest rooms. Precast concrete vents with a terrazzo finish to the sky well provide a high class finish and per- manent ventilation.
Two fast lifts serve the building. and provision is made to allow for installation of a third lift when the building is extended in the future. for which provisions have been allowed in the piling and the rein. forced concrete framework.
The structure of the building therefore and all other facilities are designed for a future addition of three more storeys.
The ground floor commercial spaces merit some mention. Although let to tenants engaged in differing types of commercial activities. all shop fronts are designed to present a uniform appearance but incorporat- ing features which allow flexibility in use.
THE HONG KONG & FAR EAST BUILDER-VOLUME 18. NUMBER 2
Thus the use of these premises may range from a doctor's clinic to bookshops or cafes, and each display and business sign may be individual- ly distinctive. yet through design control. the overall appearance of the ground floor is one of discipline.
The design and quality of finish of the building can justify the aim of making it a landmark in Johore Bahru. Italian marble is used on the plinth and the two end stops of the side elevations, all floors are mosaic tiled, windows are aluminium and galvanised hot dipped metals, and the panel walls between vertical fins are "Glamorock" finish.
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Bush-hammered plasterwork employed for the remainder of the external walls. The waterproof cement panel roofing is the best of its kind. allowing for foot traffic and carrying long years of guarantee. all of which is intended to produce a maintenance-free building.
Through this building. the Over- sea Chinese Bank expresses its deep confidence in the growing prosperity and importance of Johore Bahru as a commercial and industrial centre.
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