No_6_April_1963 — Page 92

of materials. and achieving, par- ticularly in the facing entrances to the two homes. dignity and ease.

Both buildings are basically single storey erections in reinforced con- crete with staff quarters on parts of the upper floors, but both are de signed to take another two storeys if circumstances and finances call for them.

In keeping with the simplicity of the design. interior and exterior walls are of exposed concrete, paint- ed in black or white, and with a contrasting facing of native granite to the lower courses.

Cost of the Rehabilitation Centre was just over $900,000. half of which came from the United States in the form of gifts from the World Refugee Year Fund and half from the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club. Cost of the Children's Home was nearly $550,000, of which about 80 per cent came from the World Re- fugee Year Fund and the rest from the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club. The land was given by the Hong Kong Government.

The Princess Alexandra Red Cross Children's Home has accom- modation for up to 60 crippled orphans. It provides these unfor-

3505

90

▲ General view of the two buildings. The columns projecting from the roof of the Rehabilitation Centre in the foreground are for future extensions. The Children's Home is to the right rear.

tunate children with a home, a full primary education

are the

In the detached block kitchen, a dining room, and a staff dining room. From the front en- trance an outside stair leads to the flats for the matron and physio- therapist which are placed over the classrooms. Also on the first floor a staff kitchen, staff quarters. laundry and store rooms and an outside drying space for laundry.

are and complete

physical care, leading where pos sible to cure or, if not, to the pro- vision of appropriate surgical ap pliances for their later absorbtion into a full life. It prepares them to go out into the world ready for a job suitable to the child's ability and aptitude. revealed in the train- ing for an adult life as little shatter- ed as possible by the physical disabilities the child has suffered.

The Children: Home is built in the form of a wide U with a double bar at the bottom and an additional block to the side. In one wing of the U are two dormitories with a room for the "mother" between them. In the other wing are two dormitories. The first cross bar is occupied by classrooms and the inner cross har is given over to play rooms, which open to a large open air play space between the two wings. In addition linen rooms, toilets. bathrooms. treatment rooms and store rooms are provided.

The Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation's Centre has, at pre- sent. accommodation for 10 men who have received crippling injuries in work, in other accidents or It is the task of through disease. the Centre to take these unfortunate people after they leave hospital and put them through a course ot treatment and training which will enable them to return to life in the world again able to earn their living and take a proper place instead of remaining cripples.

This object is achieved by medical and surgical treatment, the fitting of surgical appliances such as artificial arms or legs. occupational and physiotherapeutical training. training in special workshops and finally by training in jobs to which the patients have shown themselves fitted to undertake.

THE HONG KONG & FAR EAST BUILDER VOLUME 17. NUMBER 6