September_1965 — Page 10

nerstrale AB and Nordisk ADB, Stockholm, through the Spanish subsidiary Esboga.

The plan includes a number of technical studies con- cerning bridges and tunnels, traffic forecasts and capacity calculations and cost analysis, and also a financial 20-year plan.

The technical study of the most suitable location of the road has been carried out by means of modern photo- grammetrical methods and data processing. Most of the motorway will be of the four-lane type, but certain parts may have to be built for six lanes.

Recently presented to the Spanish Ministry of Public Works, the plan foresees in the first place the building of the Torremolinos-Malaga section, and detailed draw- ings and tender documents have been completed for this part of the work.

Prestressed Concrete Research Organization Formed

RESEARCH into the structural behaviour of various types of prestressed concrete construction is the sole func- tion of a new association formed by firms in America active in the field of post-tensioned concrete.

The organization, known as the American BBR Re- search Association, has its headquarters in Los Angeles, California.

The first series of tests are being conducted in the Los Angeles area and will investigate slab-to-column con- nections for cast-in-place and lift-slab plates, full size lift slabs, and anchorage zone reinforcing requirements for post-tensioned tendons of various sizes.

James R. Libby and Associates, consulting structural engineers, of San Diego, California, have been retained to supervise the technical aspects of the test series.

Tower-type Greenhouse Made of Plastics

CONSTRUCTION of a tower-type greenhouse was re- cently completed at the Leverkusen factory of Farben- fabriken Bayer AG in West Germany. It has been built as an additional facility for the Biological Institute of Bayer and its design is an innovation in greenhouse cons- truction.

In the 23 metre high tower which is covered with corrugated sheets made of Cellidor plastic, the plants are moved up and down by means of an elevator system.

With an effective height of 20 metres and a dia- meter of 4 metres, the greenhouse has the same effective area as a normal greenhouse measuring 30 metres long and 7 metres wide.

The plastic used has a high impact strength and withstands temperatures of between -40°C and +-90°C. Metal parts of the tower have been laminated with Leguval polyester to protect them against corrosion,

Air temperature and humidity in the green- house can be set at any desired levels by means of special box-window type inlet ventilators fitted in the substructure. The air, conditioned in the sub- structure, flows to the top of the tower where it is drawn in through a fan and fed back through a plastic hose of 0.5 metre diameter to the substructure.

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Bayer Greenhouse

Striking visual affects achieved by aluminium patent glazing of the diagonally-set north light roof on the laboratory and work- shop areas of the Department of Engineering Building, Leicester University. The building design won for the architects, Mr. James Stirling and Mr. James Gowan, this year's Reynolds Memorial Award made by the American Institute of Architects. It is the first time the award has gone to Britain.

Success of UK Architectural Technicians Society

THE Society of Architectural and Associated Tech- nicians, formed in the UK last February with the sup- port of the Royal Institute of British Architects, has already admitted more than 1,000 members.

Dr. George Cooper, secretary of the new society, said that there was a small but growing number of over- seas members, many from Zambia and other parts of Africa. "There is also a movement of some of our members abroad which may well build up," he said.

A draft constitution is being prepared and plans made for a regional and branch structure which will eventually cover the whole of the UK. Both matters will be put before a general meeting of members later this year.

Industrialised Houses Made in Australia

AN Australian company has begun production of "instant houses" which it claims take only days to erect, are cheap and, if a fibreglass model is chosen, need no painting.

The houses, which are round in shape, come in various sizes from 6 squares up. They can be added to by the use of extension units. Rondavel Productions Pty. Ltd., the manufacturers, are making the houses according to a patented design by Canberra architect, Robert G. Warren.

The design, entails "bents" or wall-roof sections joined together to form a self-sustaining shell, with the outside walls and roof complete. These can be put together in a matter of hours. Bents can be made of plastics, plywood, metals or a combination of these materials. Inside partitions are light, non-load-bearing and can be arranged in a number of different designs.

Foundations, floors, bents and internal partitions, are manufactured and packed as a house load to be transport- ed to the site for erection.

Services are placed in the centre of the house, but this is not mandatory. Heating plant, lavatory, bathroom- laundry and kitchen are all grouped together for conveni- ence and economy.

Light and ventilation are arranged at the centre, and the houses can be readily adapted to tropical conditions.

Far East Architect & Builder September, 1965

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