No_4_August_and_September__1940 — Page 4

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6

Hong Kong Builder

facade. The result is a most happy one, providing ser- breast, projecting one brick thick into the room, tapering vice rooms and servants' quarters that are an integral part of the house, yet entirely separated from the main living rooms.

The retaining wall deserves special mention as in- corporated in it is a bomb-proof shelter that is completely surrounded by reinforced concrete and protected by over twenty feet of earth cover. A glance at the diagrams and photograph on page 9 will explain how this has been

to the ceiling. The fireplace and bookcases have been formed of special sized and faced red bricks, pointed but otherwise unrendered. To the left of this fireplace is a large divan built into, and forming part of, the fireplace- bookcase design, completing an ensemble that combines cosiness and dignity, and presenting an appearance of old world elegance not usually found in modern construc- tion.

Consistent with the style of decoration set by this ensemble the doors are wrought of heavily panelled teak- wood surrounded by cassive carved architraves, while the ceiling is surfaced with Celotex also to a panelled design. A particularly clever feature of the ceiling decoration is that of the heavy reinforced concrete beams which were cast in wrought shuttering which left the impression of the graining of the wood in the concrete. These con- crete beams, unrendered, were then painted to conform with the Celotex panelling and woodwork of the doors to produce the impression of heavy wooden beams.

The wrought iron lighting fixtures and window grilles and the furniture and drapes which were specially designed by the architect complete a decorative scheme which is a credit to the good taste and experience of both owner and architect,

The bathrooms are excellent examples of the beauty of modern sanitary ware. The main bathroom fixtures include the new types of Standard Neo-angle tub, lava- tory, handbasin and bidet, all in Ming green, while a

SHELVE

ROOFED

VERANDAH

DINING ROOM

LIVING

GED

ROOM

COUCH

Travertine marble and wrought iron have been effectively combined in the staircase.

accomplished. The provision of this shelter itself, in addition to the extensive lawn area it makes possible, is complete justification for the expenditure entailed in the construction of this wall.

The construction of the house presented no untoward features being of brick construc- tion throughout, with a sloping reinforced concrete roof slab covered by red tiles which add colourfulness to the appearance of the building.

The size of the house belies its external appearance as it contains but one large living- dining room and one bedroom, but every con- venience, every comfort that experience and thought could conceive of has been incorporated into its design. The photographs of the living room reproduced with this article convey but a hint of its luxuriousness and comfort.

The fireplace which is the main feature of the room is placed in the centre of the north wall and with the built-in bookcases on each side of it occupies its whole area. It is of simple restrained design, with the chimney

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KITCHEN]

ŠNJAMES

PANTRY

YS KITCH LAUNDRY

ΒΟΥ

CLOSET

LAV

Plan of the main floor with the service section extending over the garage.

BOY

TRUNKS

STORE

HALL

GARDENER

DRIVER

I

GARAGE

I

E

Plan of the house at road level. Note the unusual area of storage

space provided.