THE NEW RAILWAY STATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 204, 28 August 1926, Page 8

THE NEW RAILWAY STATION.

It is not often that we find ourselves in agreement with Government proposals, V.it we heartily commend the decision to -i an Auckland firm of architects into isiiltation in.designing the new rail...iy station building. The work of the t>tate architects has given the community some handsome buildings, but the general effect has not been altogether happy, because designs of a more or less stock pattern have been adhered to; the surroundings of the buildings have had little consideration, and there has been

no attempt to make the design harmonise with the landscape.

The effect, too, of finding a post office, a courthouse, or other official buildings in one town almost an exact duplicate of that in another," or in those of a

dozen others, is jarring and tends to produce an idea of monotony which is far from aesthetic. Such results are

inevitable when one Department is responsible for all—the tendency to make replicas of successful designs is almost irresistible. By calling upon outsiders, however, a new point of view is obtained, and men who understand the architectural needs of a city from residence and study of its potentialities are far more likely to achieve a harmonious design that one whose more limited knowledge handicaps him in dealing with a particular locality.

In making its selection the Government has called on a firm whose fitness for the work is unquestioned, but as a general principle if' the Government is to go outside its own service in designing important buildings decision should be made after open competition.