--
Striking an effective note in this entrance-circulation
area are the staircases which rise just off the centre of the foyer as an indepen- dent unit, not built into the walls. Further emphasis is given to the staircases by the use of anodised aluminium for balustrades, staircase edge trim.
and
• In contrast to the subdued tones of the foyer the overall effect of the concert hall is rich and warm, an ef- fect introduced by the use of red padded leather walls at the rear of the auditorium. The lower side. walls are faced is a red leathercloth with white vertical stripes. These two materials form the predominant colour of the hall.
P
Most of the interior of the concert hall is faced in timber and, as acous- tically there is little difference in the value of one type of wood against another, the final choice has been dictated by visual effect.
•
Therefore oukoume, an African hardwood veneer with an attractive grain and a warm colour, was chosen for the upper side walls and most of the platform and reflectors. The proscenium wall and the high level flat ceiling are painted a dark forest green with contrasts effectively with the white hanging fibrous plaster re- flectors and the anodised aluminium grilles between. Against this setting the yellowish covered seats, while giving scale to the interior, do not predominate in any way.
In contrast to the deliberate large scale effect produced in the concert hall, the small theatre (which can also be used as a cinema) is planned on a smaller scale in order to create a more intimate feeling between ac- tors and audience. To achieve this materials have been used to make the auditorium appear as wide as pos- sible.
Ceiling and back wall are com posed of horizontal elements and the side walls are faced in black. white and grey plastic faced tiles, which also increases the feeling of width, giving an illusion of being able to see through the wall.
Timber is introduced into the in- terior by vertical teak-ribbed side cheeks which lead the eye directly on to the stage and eliminate the
usual proscenium arch treatment which presents a hole in the wall to the audience. The teak gives warmth to the interior and also helps acous- tically to render the theatre suitable for chamber music.
rooms,
Dressing
practice and green rooms are provided behind the stages of both halls, and there are also
also sound studios with full equipment at the back of both audi- toriums so that full direct broadcasts can be made of performances in either hall.
This main low block is linked to the tall block by a single storey block
on
the Connaught Road side in which are placed various plant and air-conditioning equipment rooms, and by a colonnade around the mem- orial garden which is the fifth unit in the complex.
THE HONG KỌNG & FAR EAST BUILDER-VOLUME 16, NUMBER 6
Decision to house the many civic activities now centred in the City Hall in the tall block freed a con- siderable amount of ground area which has been laid out on several levels as a public garden centred on a small shrine to commemorate those who gave their lives in defence of the Colony in December 1941 and during the later years of the war.
The garden is enclosed by the tall block the the air-conditioning plant room on two sides and by a covered way with an open promenade over it (access to which is by stairway in the garden) on the two remaining sides.
These various units are connected by a deep wide band which forms a
The Architects, Mr. A. Fitch and Mr. R. J. Phillips, leave the entrance Foyer.
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