No_3_1956 — Page 33

A

16

24FT

LF

SCALE

REFUSE CHUTE

2

L R.

C

K

3

A

7

10

F

R

Typical floor plan of Block "A", Showing position of the various units with approach corridor. This is the first low cost housing buildings for the convenience of the without at the same time reducing project, ten storeys high, in which tenants, although the architect had the area of the accommodation and lifts have been installed. and it was always felt that the difficulty of the minimum facilities aimed for a matter of curiosity, and of study keeping them in a clean, sanitary must be taken into serious considera- for future economic planning, to see condition more than offset any pos- tion. In this connection, the matter how the tenants were using these sible convenience. No matter how of partitions can become an impor. lifts as compared to the anticipated carefully constructed or lined, these tant factor.

traffic.

In Block A. the one running along King's Road,, two lifts have been in- stalled, one at each end of the build- ing in which there are 120 flats. i.e.. one lift per 60 families.

These lifts are slow, running at 100 feet per minute, and stop only at the fifth, seventh and ninth floors. In

chutes tend to become coated with slime which even hot water cannot

clear. However, the chutes were in- stalled, and during the first six months. it was found that they had been put to less use than originally anticipated. This is possibly because Caretakers are employed and, as is customary in Hong Kong, the small monthly tip is paid by the occupier of the flat to cover emptying of

dustbins.

It is not only the matter of the cost of the partition itself that has to be considered, there is the saving

of reinforced concrete framing which may result thereby. Every partition tional load factor on the floor slabs of brick or concrete requires an addi-

and these additional loads, small though they may be individually soon mount up in the framing of a building that contains several hun dred family units.

order to check the exact use to which these lifts are being put, an automa- tic machine which recorded each trip

Since the cost of installing lifts There is no doubt that the Chinese was installed on one lift, the other and refuse chutes add an appreciable family is highly individualistic in its being closed down, and an observer percentage to the cost of buildings, choice of living arrangements. One was stationed to take note of the the result of these observations may cannot provide a pattern for, say, a exact number of people making up- supply useful guidance in future family of three adults and three trips and down trips.

planning of low cost flats.

arrange

SO

children, setting out where their beds or bunks are to go and where their The result of these observations The chronic water shortage in Hong living space is to be, and expect it to and records have been collated, and Kong has made it imperative for be followed slavishly by the prospec- it was found that with the lift run- flush water to be obtained from tive tenants they are designed for. ning continuously between 7.00 a.m. streams, nullahs or wells; only in and 9.00 p.m.. the tenants of the very exceptional cases will city water

It was found, for instance, in the whole building could be satisfactorily be supplied for this purpose.

pilot scheme at Sheung Li Uk where serviced. even during peak periods.

no partitioning was used within the with one lift.

However, in a big housing project. unit, but where the bed spaces were it is not always possible to obtain indicated as distinct from the living It was, therefore, the architect's sufficient water for flushing as during area, that they were seldom used as conclusion that while for this type an exceptional dry season, nullahs indicated The family was, however. of building and project, it was pos- and even wells tend to dry up. It

free to arrange the space to suit sible to make do with one lift per 120 was, therefore, the architect's idea to themselves, and seldom was the out- families. particularly if the speed of

the ablution facilities

side light and circulation of air inter- the lifts were increased to say 150 or that the water from showers should fered with by their arrangement of possibly 200 feet per minute. the wash down the lavatory pans. This

furniture and possessions. Tenants wear and tear on the lift would be was done by the simple expedient of are encouraged to use curtains on excessive. The ideal ratio would making native type pans flush with "railway" runners rather than ply- probably be two lifts per 180 families. the floor, and grading the floor from wood or fibre boarding, so that they and if it were possible to arrange the the shower position towards the can be drawn back whenever possible planning so that each building would lavatory, instead of the usual prac- making a larger room. have two lifts, one would always be tice of raising the native pans on a available in the event of the other concrete stand about a foot above bedrooms from a living room, there If partitions are used to separate breaking down.

the floor level, with separate chan- will probably be more encouragement Another point which came under nels and gullies to carry away the to use the areas as indicated, but it particular observation was the treat- shower water. This was found to be is doubtful whether the extra cost ment which these lifts received, tak- a very satisfactory arrangement, as involved would mean any greater ing into consideration the class of even during the driest period, the convenience to, or be in anyway ap tenants utilising the building. Most supplementary water from the show- preciated by the tenants. of them had had no previous experi- ers kept the pans clean and sanitary ence in using self-service lifts and it

Another very was expected that abuses would re- being very carefully studied, and that important aspect is sult, particularly from the children. is the question of partitioning. In In point of fact, it was found that low cost housing, and remember we the lifts were being treated in a rea- sonable and proper manner, and only not resettlement, the object is to are discussing low cost housing and normal servicing was required to keep them up to maintenance standard,

The second point was the refuse chutes which were installed in these

provide the best accommodation pos- sible within a definite rental range not exceeding say $70 a month. Any factor which can help to reduce cost

General Contractors:

Const. Co.

Cheong Lee

Electric Installation: Jardine Eng.

Corp., Ltd.

Hope Windows: Jardine Eng. Corp.,

Ltd.

Naco Louvres:

& Co., Ltd.

John D. Hutchison

Lifts: Otis Elevator Company Plumbing & Sanitary Ware: Kitson

& Co.

31