No_4_1955 — Page 47

CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES

SECRETARIAT BLOCK

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Architect's perspective drawing of the new block from the north-west

The third stage of the construc- stone will give a pleasant, dark per- lic with due formality and dignity. tion of the new Hong Kong Govern- manent finish which will require lit- Press tables and radio booths will en-

Although the Colonial Secretariat will be the main department housed the departments will be accommodated in this building, other Government

as well, and the arrangement of of- fices has been made accordingly.

ment Offices and Secretariat is tle. if any, maintenance, an im- able all proceedings to be recorded about to begin. The first section portant consideration in modern and publicized. comprising 80% of the East Wing multi-storey construction. was completed in November, 1953, a month ahead of the scheduled time.

The structural design of the build- Two months later the old Secretariat ing will be similar to that of Building was demolished and work first part of the scheme with load was commenced on the construction bearing walls, floors and roofs of re- of the remainder of the East Wing inforced concrete except that origin- and of the basement and foundations ally the floor and roof slabs were Since the entrance to the Council for the new Secretariat Wing, which solid whereas in the new building Chamber will be by way of the first is Stage Two of the scheme. This they will be of hollow tile construc- floor, the main Council rooms will be was completed in December 1954. tion.

The internal partitions of hol- situated here. These include

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The third stage includes the Secre- low clay tile will be built indepen- Members' room. Executive Council's tariat Building proper and is dently of the main structure and Committee room with a smaller Com- scheduled for completion in 1956, since the design has been worked out mittee room attached, a large wait- when the fourth and last stage on a 4'6" module, the size of the of- ing room opposite the lift lobby, the that of the large West Wing will fice can be varied to suit changing Council's registry and an office for requirements by increasing or de H.E. The Governor with a private creasing the lengths by one or more entrance opening directly to units of 4'6".

commence.

buildings Both

will

the

be

A large

The architectural features will dif-

Council Chamber. fer from, yet harmonize with, the first section already completed.

The Secretariat Building will be The Quartering Authority's offices Hoods and mullions, framing win placed at the west end of the exist- occupy a small section of this floor. dow apertures. will be finished In ing Government buildings and at Shanghai plaster to contrast with

right angles to it.

The Legal Department the natural slate panelling to be fix- will form one unit as there will be located on the second floor. ed along the length of the ground direct access from the old building to area is set aside for the legal library. floor and the spandrels between the the central portion of the new by another for the general office and. windows for the full height of the main north and south elevations. All

means of a wide corridor leading into in addition, there will be offices for the Hon. Attorney-General, the Soli- other walls will be faced with granite. the main entrance and lift hall of

citor-General, Crown Counsels and the new building. in the external finish

Senior Counsels in charge of Advisory of the building is emphasized in the The Council Chamber Annex, Section and Litigation Section. The Council Chamber Annex where the which will be two storeys in height. office for the Senior Crown Counsel continuous coping and string course will be placed at the north end of in charge of Legislation Section is of Shanghai plaster separates the the new wing. The ground floor of situated on the first floor. lighter granite slabs from the darker the annex will be mainly devoted to The next two floors will be reserv- slate facing.

the Secretariat library. with two ed for the Public Works Department,

The contrast

These slate paneis, which are split large rooms for clerks. two large the third for the Architectural Office. into the required thickness. will stores and lavatories. A separate and the fourth, for the Public Works have any obvious irregularities staircase will lead up to the Council Department Headquarters. These smoothed out but will not be polish- Chamber which has been designed for moves are in preparation for the ed. The natural graining of the the seating of Members and the pub- clearing out of the offices now situat-

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