No_2_November_and_December__1948 — Page 19

THE HONG KONG AND FAR EAST BUILDER

17

SHIU FAI

TERRACE

PATEL BAY,

1 Sand Model

Architect's sketch of the front elevation of the mo- dernized block of eight houses illustrating the radi- cal departure from the con- ventional design,

Hong Kong is a very conservative place. This state- ment can be made in the complimentary sense that the Colony adheres to the tried and proven principles which operate to maintain the way of life best suited to the com- munity along safe and sane lines. On the other hand, this phrase may be used to cover mental stodginess and physica! or spiritual stagnation. In the matter of design and con- struction of residential quarters it may more often than not be applied in the latter sense.

The classical example quoted in this connection is the fact that Chinese type tenements are still designed with a 15′0′′ or 17'0" frontage because many decades ago floor spans were governed by these lengths of China Fir poles which were the maximum obtainable in those days.

It is refreshing, therefore, to be able to report the departure from accepted principles of design for the con- struction of a block of apartment houses to be erected at Shiu Fai Terrace on Stubbs Road above Happy Valley.

It is more interesting to note, moreover, that in this development two blocks are planned. One block will con- tain eight units: three storeys high, each floor containing an apartment of an ultra-modern type. The other block, also three storeys high, will comprise fourteen units design- ed as a modern version of the conservative type. The former block embodies advanced principles which are now regarded as essential in the planning of homes on advanced standards, including elimination as far as possible of waste spaces such as long corridors, and the building in of cup- boards, recesses for books, linens, bric-a-brac, etc., and the provision of ample window areas for light and ventilation purposes. Another interesting feature of this new design is the fact that it avoids that bane of duplicated terraces— the overlooking of living and bedroom windows across nar- row courtyards.

The floor plans illustrated on the next page illustrate clearly the advantages accruing from thoughtful planning which results in greatly increased space at the expense of very little additional ground area.

The site is just above the Hong Kong Hotel Garage, Stubbs Road, known as Remaining Portion of Inland Lot No. 2302, Stubbs Road. The site to be developed is located on the highest part of the terrace on a levelled piece of land which commands an excellent and unobstructed view of the harbour and Happy Valley with its beautiful surounding hills. Adjacent buildings are all on a lower level.

The scheme provides for two rows of Apartment Houses.

SCHEME "A"

Scheme "A" provides for a block of eight houses, three stories high, comprising a total of twenty-four apartments. Each apartment is provided with its own garage which is situated below the level of the ground floor. The roof of the garages can be utilised as a large terrace for the use of the occupants of the ground floor apartments, thus increas- ing the privacy of the ground floor tenants and removing the usual objections raised by residents of such flats and making them just as desirable as the apartments on the upper floors. So, instead of a verandah, the ground floor apartments will have the full use of the roof over the garages which can also be utilised as small gardens. In addition, the roof space is available to all apartments from the main staircase. For the servants, a separate staircase has been provided at the rear of the building. The main and service staircases will be commonly shared by every two units.