TNAG-2660-FCO40-3856-Future-of-Hong-Kong-British-Consulate-General-1992 — Page 48

RESTRICTED

113476 MDLOA 8090

15. I THINK THERE MAY BE SOME MISUNDERSTANDING HERE. THE DESIGN BRIEF MAKES CLEAR THAT WE HAVE IN MIND A MULTI-PURPOSE HALL SUITABLE FOR A WIDE RANGE OF DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES. THESE WILL INCLUDE CONFERENCES, EXHIBITIONS AND THE HOLDING OF EXAMINATIONS AS WELL AS A RANGE OF PERFORMING ACTIVITIES. THE BRITISH

COUNCIL EXPECT TO USE THE SPACE INTENSIVELY AND FLEXIBLY. NOTED IN PARA 8 ABOVE, WE CAN ALSO ENVISAGE A RANGE OF FUNCTIONS FOR WHICH THE CONSULATE-GENERAL WOULD ALSO USE THE HALL. WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT A SOUTH BANK OR A BARBICAN.

DEFECTS OF LAYOUT ETC (YOUR PARA 8(H))

AS

16. WE BELIEVE THAT IN THE COURSE OF DESIGN DEVELOPMENT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO TIDY UP THE VARIOUS CASES OF UNDER-PROVISION, OVER-PROVISION AND UNTIDY LAYOUT (WHICH WE TOO HAVE IDENTIFIED).

STAFF CONSIDERATIONS (YOUR PARAS 14-15)

17. THE COMMITTEE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THE TFC SCHEME WOULD PROVIDE A GOOD ENVIRONMENT FOR STAFF LIVING AND WORKING ON THE SITE. THERE WOULD BE MARKEDLY BETTER OFFICE ACCOMMODATION THAN AT MANY POSTS.

18. USE OF THE POOL AND GARDEN WOULD BE A MATTER FOR THE POST MANAGEMENT OF THE DAY. THE POOL IS PROVIDED PRIMARILY FOR STAFF LIVING ON THE SITE. THIS IS A FAIRLY NORMAL PROVISION IN RESIDENTIAL ACCOMMODATION IN HONG KONG, AND MANY OTHER MEMBERS OF THE STAFF WOULD HAVE ACCESS TO OTHER POOLS. WE WILL HOWEVER REVIEW THE POOL'S SIZE AGAINST THE BEST ESTIMATE WE CAN MAKE OF PROBABLE USE.

LEE AND ORANGE DESIGN

19. THE COMMITTEE ALSO LOOKED CAREFULLY AT THE L AND O SCHEME. THEY AGREED THAT IT WAS THE STRONGEST OF THE OTHER DESIGNS, BUT THAT IT ALSO HAD DISTINCT DISADVANTAGES:

-

IT MAKES LESS GOOD USE OF THE SITE:

THE SLAB DISPOSITION IS LESS APT THAN TFC'S PERIPHERAL ONE: OFFICE DEPTH IS GREATER AND LEADS TO PLANNING AND OPERATIONAL INEFFICIENCIES:

- THE MAIN PEDESTRIAN ENTRANCE IS LESS WELL PLACED:

THE FLATS OCCUPY A DISPROPORTIONATE AMOUNT OF THE SITE, AND ACCESS TO THEM IS DIFFICULT:

THE PASSPORT, CONSULAR AND IMMIGRATION SECTIONS ARE

INCONVENIENTLY DIVIDED BETWEEN FIVE FLOORS (AS OPPOSED TO THREE IN THE TFC DESIGN):

PAGE

RESTRICTED