November_1965 — Page 17

Tall block of the City Hall

The first standard type of primary school had 24 classrooms running in two sessions to accommodate 1,080 children. About five years ago this type was replaced by a 30-classroom school taking 1,350 children. This contained five floors of classrooms above a covered play space and in- cluded a roof top playground and ancillary accommodation. The same basic design has been adopted for secondary modern and secondary technical schools.

Three standard secondary schools. the first of which was finished early in 1964, have been built. These in- clude 24 classrooms and a full range of laboratories, special rooms and a large hall. A teachers training college for 400 students and several exten- sions to the Hong Kong Technical College have also been completed.

Between 1960 and 1964, 13 pri- mary schools were built. The peak year for educational buildings was 1962/1963, when four primary schools, one middle school, secondary modern school, one secon- dary technical school and one teachers training college were com- pleted.

Urban Services Department Buildings

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The Architectural Office produces a great deal of work on behalf of this department and some recent buildings designed include markets. bazaars and public latrines, Besides these necessary projects the Architectural Office also designs the layout of public parks and other amenities.

Largest and most interesting build- ing produced in recent years for the U.S.D. has been the City Hall, which was opened by His Excellency the Governor in March 1961.

This imposing contemporary build- ing occupies a commanding position

Model of standard

scheme consists of a tall block dominating a lower group of build- ings. The tall block houses a mar- riage registry, public library, lecture and committee rooms, offices and a museum and art gallery.

Facing the waterfront in the low block are a ballroom and a restaurant with imposing views of the harbour, adjacent to a concert hall for 1,500 people and a theatre for 460 people with dressing rooms and with the latest stage lighting equipment.

Police, Fire Services and Prison Buildings

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An ever growing demand buildings for the civilian uniformed services of the Hong Kong Govern- ment is another responsibility of the Architectural Office.

The largest schemes completed for the police force during the last five years have been a project to house 826 married police rank and file at Cheung Sha Wan and three similar schemes to house 1,600.

The old buildings of the Police

on the waterfront of Victoria. The Concert hall inside the City Hall complex

Far East Architect & Builder November, 1965

11-storey fire station

Training School at Aberdeen are being replaced by a new complex consisting of living quarters, messing and laundry facilities to house a total of 800 cadets. A programme of im- provement to existing police stations and extension of police facilities to outlying districts is progressing. Two small police posts have been con- structed and three divisional police stations are being designed by private architects to a standard design.

Two of these standard police stations have already been completed at Wong Tai Sin and Kwun Tong and a further one is under construc- tion, at Yuen Long in the New Ter- ritories. A further divisional police station has been built at Mong Kok.

The increased burden put on the Fire Brigade by the growing popula- tion of Hong Kong has made it necessary to construct to a standard plan three new fire stations in Aber- deen, Lai Chi Kok and Kwun Tong during the last five years.

In addition a scheme has been completed to house 110 married fire- men at North Point and another of

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