No_4_March_and_April__1949 — Page 71

BANK MANAGER'S RESIDENCE

View of this modernised residence in contrast with the original. Below is shown detail of the north east corner of the verandah.

STUDT

CED

LOOM

10 - 20

BID LOOK

1. 32'

HALL

& The

ВЕС

Ahrine

(A)

LOOM

-21

SITTING

LOOM

T

30

YÜKANDAN

69

Photos by S. Vargassoff

DI

PANTRY - KITCHEN

TELLACE OVER

GALAGE

ENTAT

DINING

LOOM

VELANDAH

ТЕЛАНДАН

To rehabilitate and modernise an old building which, in addition to its original ugly mid-Victorian facade, is also badly damaged by looting, is a task no architect need be envied. To build up and around the mistakes of one's predecessors is far more difficult than to plan a new building into which one's ideas can be incorporated right from scratch.

It is, therefore, all the more to the credit of Messrs. R. Minutti & Partners, that the conversion of No. 507 The Peak, the residence of the Manager of Banque de l'Indo-Chine, was so successfully carried out.

The building as it stands to-day is a truly beautiful example of present day architecture with its clean lines and atmosphere of airy spaciousness. It is also of particular interest that in some rooms the circular fanlights to the windows have been retained to add dignity and variety to the planning.

The access up a rather steep drive-way from Barker Road leads to the entrance on the north side of the house, which is placed on an eminence above Magazine Gap commanding a magnificent view of the south, east and northern aspects of the Island. The entrance vestibule, tiled in marble flooring of contrasting Belgian Black and Carrara marble with Green Genoa surrounds, leads into the main hall from which all rooms radiate.

It is a one-story bungalow type of building with a small, but handy, private study set in a mezzanine above the pantry- kitchen.