September_1970 — Page 38

with aluminium window inserts which were prepared off-site to reduce instal- lation time.

The architects considered a two- storey ceiling height essential for the entrance foyer and the main restau- rant. They overcame the limitations of the existing building's ceiling heights by locating the main floor and en- trance lobby on the first floor. A build up of the approach road to the main entrance reduced the number of steps leading to the first floor and at the same time provided an imposing en- trance that is roofed by a 35 ft. canti- lever porch.

Areas where columns of the exis- ting building penetrated the podium blocks were utilised mainly as offices, toilets and stores functions not re- quiring large free uninterrupted floor space.

To reduce additional loads on the existing building, floors in the podium block are suspended from the main roof structure, making maximum use of external columns and allowing the

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minimum number of supports internal- It is believed to be the first building in ly on the ground floor.

Singapore to have such a complete sprinkler installation.

Services

The accommodation of services in the restricted ceiling height of the tower block involved careful and close planning. Services were restricted mainly to the central corridor and cross runs of chilled water pipes, fire sprinkler, electrical wiring, sound and telephone cables were designed to be housed within 12in. to 9in. of ceiling space below the existing beams.

Chilled water and a fan coil unit air-conditioning system was selected due to the limited service space. Fan coil units serving each room provide the occupants with individual control, while running costs are reduced when occupancy is low. A total of 460 TR is supplied by two centrifugal chillers. All public areas and restaurants are fit- ted with high-efficiency carbon con- trol filters.

The entire building is fitted with fire sprinklers, installed to FOC ruling.

Main staircase connecting entrance foyer to shopping and coffee house amenities

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Interiors

Each bedroom is fitted with tele- phone, telephone call light, taped music, three language channel radio, dual control to all lights, dressing table, desk and lounge set. Bathrooms are furnished with marble top basins, glass mosaic floors and walls, tele- phone, shower and other necessities.

Only four hues were selected by the designer for the interior colour schemes for curtains, upholstery and bedspreads - all of which are in heavy- duty Thai cotton. Glaring contrasts have been avoided to provide a restful atmosphere.

The hotel facilities include French, Japanese and Chinese restaurants, a steak house, coffee house, two bars, discotheque, conference room, guest lounge, shopping facilities and swim- ming pool. For the interiors there is an emphasis on warmth and sophistica- tion, achieved by the use of numerous local timbers as the main finish. The combination of timber and copper also successfully produces an intimate atmosphere. Light fittings were design- ed by the interior designer and archi- tect, and manufactured locally.

Contractors

The Equatorial Hotel has 224 guest rooms and a total floor area, including public areas, of 159,000 sq. ft It was completed ready for occupation in 24 months.

Lim Kah Ngam Ltd. was the build- er. Sub-contractors and suppliers in- cluded:

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Sime Darby (S) Ltd. air-condi- tioning

Diethelm & Co. Ltd. and Alu- minium Malaysia Ltd. - aluminium

McAlister & Co. Ltd. fire sprink- ler and fire equipment

Lian Soon Construction Co. ex- ternal finish

R.E. Morris & Co. Pte. Ltd. electrical installations

lifts

ding

China Engineers Ltd. - Mitsubishi

Borneo Co. (S) Ltd. fascia clad-

Mechanical & Combustion Engine- ering Co. Pte. Ltd. mechanical in- stallations

Langkawi Marble Sdn. Bhd. bathroom marble

Alliance Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

light fittings

Harrisons Lister Engineering Ltd. -

swimming pool equipment.

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Far East BUILDER, September 1970