No_3_October_1963 — Page 79

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▲ This view of the two eight-storey blocks from the south reveals part of the wonderful aspect seen from their windows.

MOUNT NICHOLSON GAP FLATS

Architects:-

Architectural Office, P. W. D.

Architect in charge:-

74

Cedric Astbury, A. R. I.B. A.,

A. A. Dip.

TANDING at an elevation of

750 feet above sea level, the four blocks of Government quarters newly completed at Mount Nicholson Gap on Hong Kong Island command a magnificent view of the Colony's busy harbour.

The position was chosen original- ly by the Government for building a tuberculosis hospital and the site was levelled before outbreak of the war stopped all operations. After the war there were changes in plan- ning and bungalows for government servants were built on the site. Some of these were demolished to make way for the new blocks of flats, leav- ing a few still at a lower level.

During construction of the new apartments, the contractor co-operat ed in the rigorous protection of ex- isting trees and since completion the site has been turfed and planted with a further 200 saplings and 1.000 shrubs.

Eighty-two flats, of which 66 have three bedrooms. 14 have two bed- rooms and 2 (for bachelors) have only one bedroom, are contained in the four blocks of quarters con- structed. Two blocks are eight storeys high and two blocks 13 storeys. Orientation of the blocks has taken account of the view offer- ed but prevents penetration by dir ect rays.

Structural system adopted was of load bearing reinforced concrete cross walls which are expressed in the elevation. Piling was necessary for the front two blocks only; the rear blocks stand on a concrete raft.

Sound insulation between floors is provided by sheets of exfoliated plastic and heat insulation on the roof is given by wood wool slab and an eight-inch air space under the final concrete tile finish.

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