No_6_1959 — Page 29

building could rise up to its maxi- mum height of five storeys.

Principally for economic reasons, and partly because of the multi- formity of the wards and offices, a single block plan was employed with an axial access, thus enabling a con- vergence of the various departments with minimum loss of space.

Vehicular access to the site is from Peak Road. from which a driveway leads along in front of the building to the main entrance at the western extremity. For egress, the drive circumscribes a small garden, or continues beyond and around to the rear of the building for all such trade and undertaking operations that are confined there away from public view.

In and along the front of the ground floor, and opening out to the driveway is the carport for am- bulances and doctors' cars.

The shape of the building is oblong, and the construction is of simple monolithic reinforced con- crete frame with brick panel walls.

The keynote of the design lies in its simplicity--a theme evident. par- ticularly, in the interior, where the emphasis is on latitude.

sec-

The whole length of the front elevation is divided into two tions. The first part, equalling two thirds of the total length of the entire building, which is the hos pital proper and nursing quarters, displays a continuous delineation of plaster walling. interspersed by equally placed vertical concrete clasps from the ceiling down to the window-sill level.

The pattern of grey clasps super- imposed on a white plaster walling is repeated along all the floor levels of this section. This arrangement is sharply pitted against the second section, which houses the adminis trative and operative or surgical departments.

The same delineat'on of the plas- ter wailing continues. but in a more modified design without the vertical clasps, enclosed within a box-like

crate.

To break the suggestion of mono- tony this second section is rendered in a supplementary shade of burnt ochre, thus creating a warm and quiet atmosphere.

THE HONG KONG & FAR EAST BUILDER

The design of the interior is an example of meticulous planning. Here. spaciousness is most apparent. a feature which can

only be achieved by simple lines. The lobby from the main entrance has on its right the receiving offices and out- patients departments, with their ancillary clinics, dispensaries and therapy rooms. On the left are the general administrative offices and the laboratory. To the rear are the X-ray room and attendant process- ing room, and the pharmacy.

There are two passenger lifts and provision is made for a third should the necessity arise.

This pattern, with hospital wards and nurses' quarters on the left and surgical and maternity theatres on the right, is duplicated on the upper floors. Between these sections there is provision for intermediate rooms serving as liaison stations for duty sisters. On the maternity floor. there is an insulated viewing room for visitors wishing to see their new- born infants.

All the operating theatres are air- conditioned and fitted with the latest cquipment. The flooring is laid with special anti-static tiles. Com- plete with all their ancillary rooms, offices and doctors' toilets, etc., each theatre is a unit in itself. The mater- nity section has two theatres with attendant labour rooms, nursery, etc.

In the hospital quarters much latitude has been allowed for pos- sible conversion from wards to nurses' quarters. and vice versa. In the wards themselves, whether first or third class, the architect has suc- ceeded in creating an atmosphere not generally experienced in ordinary hospitals.

If any criticism may be made it may be of the extraordinary amount of space allotted to each ward. Suffused lighting with the aid of curtains by day, and diffused fluores- cence by night; pleasing shades of Vinyl tiles harmonising with pastel walls. all help to make the ward resemble more a comfortable rest resort than a medical institution.

The doors, too, strike a note of conspicuous simplicity in their neat- ness. They are imported from Hol- land and are so constructed with dual hinges that in moving a bed or a stretcher case the larger opening, which normally would not be re- quired for privacy, is used.

The architect has been most gen- erous in his supply of baths and toilets they abound in every nook and corner, and this superfluity is also found in the built-in cupboards and lockers.

All the staircases and corridors are unusually wide, and well lighted. The balustrades are novel in that they are of moulded plastic sur- mounting steel railings.

One of the highlights of the hos- pital of which the public may not be aware, is the chapel located on the top floor of the administrative section, and adjacent to the Sisters' quarters.

It is altogether a little church, with a vaulted roof. The very sim- ple but exquisite marble altar sur- mounted by a large crucifix, is a gift of the architect in memory of his mother.

Orange stained glass louvres set at an angle provide the subdued lighting in this vaulted sanctuary.

ALCOVE

ALCOWE

ALCOTE

ALCOVÉ

ALČOVE

ALCONE

IL COVE

ALCOVE

ALCOVE

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Second floor plan.

VOLUME 14, NUMBER 6

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