No_3_October_1963 — Page 111

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Privacy will be heightened by 12 inch sheer load-bearing walls, a feature of the construction.

Occupants in one block will scar- cely be aware of occupants in

another.

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Bell House was planned as tight-budget. housing project for middle income earners.

Luxury flats were not warranted by the locality, yet tenements were definitely "out."

Mr. Lee has designed an impres- sive building containing 330. small. two to three bedroomed flats ranging from 380 to 825 sq.ft. Each has a bath. utility verandah and fixed partition walls. The bigger units have an additional W.C. None have quarters for amahs or servants.

The floor to floor height for all domestic floors will be 9 ft. 8 in.

106

▲ Artist's impression of the com- pleted Bell House in Nathan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong.

while the ground floor will be 17 ft. 6 in. high.

A plot ratio of 15 was imposed on the site by the Crown Lands and Survey Office. The total gross floor area will be 261, 263 sq.ft.

Sheer wall structure was chosen for the domestic floors (from the fourth to 20th storey) because of the great saving in structural costs. the reduction in wind load and its suit- ability for the features and type of housing mentioned.

The traditional column system was adopted for the lower floors.

The architect considers sheer wall construction one of the best systems

for Hongkong because this increases the rigidity of tail buildings. sup- plies uninterrupted space. gives ade- quate sound insulation and results in a great saving in steel reinforce-

ment.

Other details about Bell House: It will have all-concrete piles, a structure of reinforced concrete, walls plastered with cement (inside and outside). heat resistant and water repellant ceilings. 10

10 lifts (each carrying 1.200 lbs), a separ- ate drying area for each flat, mosaic- tiled corridors. a marbled entrance, complete bathroom fixtures (includ- ing soap holder and toilet paper han- ger). a sink and stove stand sup- plied in each kitchen.

Co-architects for the project are Chau. Lee and She and the structural engineer is Mr. T. K. Leung. B.Sc.. AMI. Str.E.

THE HONG KONG & FAR EAST BUILDER-VOLUME 18. NUMBER 3