No_6_April_1961 — Page 44

WHAT TO BUILD?

15.5

The Hong Kong Housing Society in its annual report for 1960 examines a problem that is among the Colony's greatest to-day.

MUCH investigation and discus-

sion about the type of flat that should be built is summarised in the annual report of the Hong Kong Housing Society in its report for

1960.

There was no doubt, says the report, that while higher standards were desirable, the worst overcrowd- ing conditions were still in the poor tenement buildings occupied by the poorer classes. While the Govern- ment had announced that its im- proved resettlement flats would eventually cater for some families rehoused from condemned property, it would be some years before ap- plications could be received from the general public.

It had been said many times that if standards were not to be reduced to resettlement block standard or the Kai Tak pilot scheme type of flat with communal kitchens and shared toilet facilities, a Government sub- sidy should be forthcoming. Large numbers of the Hong Kong popula- tion came within the $150-$450 group who could not spend more than one-seventh of their income on rent, and their housing need was greatest.

(From page 37)

from first principles and designing their way out of it.

The finding and taking advantage of loopholes forces the Building Authority to plug them, with the result that the Authority promulgates more and more regulations. The

ultimate effect of this might easily be that all buildings in Hong Kong will eventually bear the stamp of the Buildings Ordinance, despite the efforts to the contrary of consicen. tions and creative architects.

We have only ourselves to blame. if the Building Authority treats our submissions with suspicion. We

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It seemed inevitable therefore that public opinion supported the Society in including in all future housing programmes some sub-standard ac commodation for this group, at any rate for the time being. Building standards had to be maintained. Maintenance costs would rise and the lower rents charged would not cover repairs.

At the other end of the scale, there was a demand that the Society should devise some scheme for build. ing better class flats for rent or sale. Many families not in Government service were envious of the generous terms given to civil servants under the co-operative scheme. This help to commended, but it natural that others should ask if similar schemes could be made available to other Hong Kong citizens.

was

was

Speculative builders had produced many flats for sale but sale agree- ments and subsequent management and repairs had not been altogether satisfactory and profits made in some cases had been very high indeed.

What was needed was for a reput- able society to build flats between $15,000 and $35,000 on small sites to be sold to applicants such as teachers, welfare society employees

should endeavour to cultivate in the breast of that body, a feeling of benevolent tolerance, which would induce, more often, the will to grant a modification,

Finally, have we thought how this atttitude towards bylaw building effects the status of the architect? In Hong Kong, he is only recognized in the appellation "authorised archi- tect, This, in fact, means literally "one found capable of building in accordance with the Buildings Ordinance.'

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The term "architect" (without prefix) should mean a great deal

and others on building society terms over about 20 years.

Many had asked the Housing Society to take on this type of development and the executive com- mittee had agreed it was worth pursuing. There were problems. loans at cheap rates would not be of this sort would not benefit by half upset land terms and government Loans at cheap rates would not be available. Bank loans were often for short terms only but more sympathe- tic consideration might be forthcom- ing. There was also the question of whether the Society's constitution would allow it to undertake this type of housing.

It was known that in certain cir- cumstances it would be in order, and if it was not, it was felt a request for alteration would be approved.

The Society had therefore decided to try to buy Crown land for such a scheme. The Argyle Street front- age of the Ma Tau Chung land and a site in Tin Hau Temple Road were in mind and it was hoped the

venture would soon come to fruition.

There was also a demand for the Society to build better class flats for rent or sale on a restricted profit basis.

more.

It should describe a a profes- sional man who by virtue of long training and experience is capable of giving a personal service to a client, to be able to advise him on all aspects of building, to design his buildings and arrange for their con- struction in such a way that the client's needs as to function, time, cost and site utilisation are satisfac torily met and at the same time to create something that is fine and good, satisfying man's aesthetic needs, visually and environmentally.

Let not the term "architect" be- come synonymous with the literal meaning of "authorised architect."

THE HONG KONG & FAR EAST BUILDER ·

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· VOLUME 15, NUMBER 6