No_6_1954 — Page 23

ST. FRANCIS SCHOOL Architects: Messrs. Leigh & Orange

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DOELLA

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Architects' perspective drawing of the new school from the north-east.

and apace

а

sufficient relatively until

In a recent speech the Director of standards and modern requirements The necessity of building in two Education said that at the present are extremely wasteful of space. The sections arises from the fact that it rate of increase in population in rebuilding of these old institutions is imperative for the school to con- Hong Kong it would take about fifty into modern multistoried schools is tinue to function in the old building years for sufficient accommodation going on

accommodation is to be provided for school children higher number of children are being made available for the classes to be reaching school age. Nevertheless all admitted into these schools that have moved over into the new building. educational Institutions including

This would then release the old those directly under the Education been remodelled than was possible in

building for demolition and, in its the buildings as originally planned. Department of the Hong Kong

place, additional classrooms as well Government are making every effort One of the lastest of the institu- as facilities for arts and science to provide more accommodation for tlons to undertake redevelopment work, and a kindergarten will be every grade of elementary, middle work so as to obtain more economical erected. and higher school education as well

use of the area they occupy is the as for trade and technical instruction. St. Francis school which at present Additional educational facilities operates in an old rambling building can be provided in two ways, either situated on the steep slopes to the by the building of new schools, or by north side of Kennedy Road. We the modernising and extending of understand that before the war this existing facilities. The problem of building was a Japanese hotel and obtaining suitable ground for the that it was reconditioned and adapt- erection of new schools in the dis- ed as a school after the reoccupation. tricts where they are most needed is one that cannot easily be solved, but

In place of the existing antiquated The existing building is located on fortunately there are a number of structure, a new building designed a raised flat platform, with the institutions built many years ago on most modern lines has been plan- ground falling steeply away from the which according to present day ned, and will be built in two stages. retaining walls to the east. The area

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building in two sections is difficult This business of putting up a

enough on a site that is level and fairly regular in shape but in this particular instance the contour of the site is steep, its shape irregular. and the existing building is awkward- ly placed with respect to the ultimate position of the completed project.