TNAG-2344-FCO40-3410-Future-of-Hong-Kong-British-Consulate-General-1992 — Page 100

Section 2 Design Brief

The Site

3. The new offices are to be built on a site in one of the traditional residential areas at Nairobi Hill, half a mile to the south of the city. From the site there are fine views over the golf course to the city centre and the distinctive Kenyatta Tower. See town plan under Annex A.

4. Of approximately 31/2 acres, the site is well wooded with a fall of about 1:10 from north to south. Located within 15 minutes walk from the city centre there is good road access and frequent public transport. There is housing to the south-east and north-west of the site (the short boundaries) and roads to the south-west 'Upper Hill Road' and to the north- east 'Lower Hill Road' (the long boundaries). Location Plan, site plan and site photographs are under Annexes A to D.

5. A topographical survey has been carried out and is available at scales 1:500 and 1:250. A site assessment report including services is summarised under Annex H including a full geotechnical survey. 6. The existing buildings and facilities on the site can be demolished. Trees of special quality may be retained: proposals for landscaping should be included in your submission. Existing services passing under or over the site may be replaced as part of the site works. Special note should be taken of the natural surface water courses in the east part of the site which can be designed as a feature or be suitably ducted underground.

Planning

7. The requirements of the Planning Authority are to be construed as follows:-

a.

The site is in an area designated by the Local Planning Authority for mixed residential and office development.

b. The general wooded character of Nairobi Hill should be respected and the new buildings relate to the surroundings architecturally and environmentally.

C.

Any development is subject to a maximum plot ratio of 1:1 with a maximum building coverage (not including roads, car parking or covered ways) of 35%. Maximum building height to be 3 stories, within the existing tree envelope.

d. The boundaries shown on the site plan allow for a 30m wide road reserve zone to Upper Hill Road and a similar zone to Lower Hill Road. Latest information indicates that the new road to Upper Hill Road will be only a single carriage way, approx. 7.2 metres in width with wide verges.

It has been agreed that the land between the existing road and the site boundaries will be leased from the Nairobi City Council until such time, at present unknown, the road widening takes place. Allowance should be made in any design for landscaping and maintenance of these verges.