They lead directly on to the first floor of the concourse. the entire frontage of which is reserved as a lounge for members of the House of Representatives.
Double doors give access to the chamber of the House, with its tall roof structure, the shell of the same prominent device whose pleated triangular shape forms such conspicuous part of the overall design.
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The sheer. almost Gothic, folds of this roof vault are lit by diffused sunlight entering through triangular clerestory windows located at their base. The panes for these windows are formed of a double thickness of glass with a hermetically sealed cavity in between for sound proofing.
The roof itself. 80 feet high and 60 feet wide at its base, is support- ed on either side by two cantilever- ed pillars which penetrate through the banquet room below to the foundations of the building. These pillars have less weight to carry than might be supposed. because the concrete of the roof is only 7 inches thick at its maximum and 23 inches at its mimimum.
The limits of the roof. however, do not mark the limits of the cham- ber. because side galleries run under the eaves to accommodate seats for
Top The alumium sun grid, which provides a ceiling mesh, forms intere- sting shadow patterns in this airwell in the main concourse. The angled ramp leading up from ground floor level, with a reflecting pool at bottom left, has earned itself the nickname of "Penguin Walk”
Centre -- This view from the main concourse looking across the orna- mental moat to the foot of the tower block, shows one of the connecting bridges (left) constructed in the from of a Verendahl girder.
Bottom -A sunlit garden, enclosed by an ornamental moat, adjoins the coffee room for members of the House of Representatives. A screen of plate glass keeps the tropical plants in the sun, and the coffee room at a comfortable level of air conditioning.
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