OPEN-AIR SCHOOLS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 245, 16 October 1929, Page 8

OPEN-AIR SCHOOLS.

NEW PLAN EVOLVED. ! BY EQARD'S ARCHITECT. BEST OP MANY STYLES. The Auckland Education Board this morning had before it plans of a new type of building recommended by its architect (Mr. A. B. Miller). Recently Mr. Miller inspected the latest types of fresh-air schools in the Taranaki district, and, after comparing them with the Auckland and other model schools of the kind, felt that a practical attempt should be inade to lessen the ratio of disadvantages in the buildings now being constructed by the board. "Although the opinions of those who have taught in the buildings recently erected are flattering, it would be unwise to adopt an attitude of self-complac<*icy," he said. "I have, therefore, prepared a plan in which an attempt has been made to incorporate the most desirable features of existing types of open-air schools, and to eliminate as nearly as possible those features which have proved to be undesirable. I do not recommend an immediate general changeover to any new type until practical tests have been made."

In the type proposed each individual classroom, although incorporated in one hlock, will be self-contained, states the architect's report. It will have a cloakroom to each classroom and will adjoin the entrance on the southern side of the classroom, and form part of a covered way. The balance of the wall on that side, together with the whole of the wall on the northern side, will be thrown open with sliding windows or folding doors, and it is proposed, for test purposes, to erect two rooms with windows and two with doors. Where windows are installed on the northern side, a door will be provided for free access on this side. There will be pivoted sashes above these doors or windows in the northern side, and above the flat covered way on the southern side. The wall at the teachers' end of the room will be treated as at present. In order to overcome the lack of space which more openness in the classroom naturally causes, it is proposed to instal the blackboarding for the use of the children in the form of a front to a cupboard for the full width of the room. In construction, the width of the stud will be available and the cupboard will not encroach on the floor space. Each panelled blackboard forming the front ■will slide vertically to give access to the cupboard, and this will also enable the child to operate at a normal height for the full length of the board instead of having to adopt all manner of attitudes as at present. In the case of the senior classes the doors will slide horizontally, and the cupboard will be used for library and other purposes. If the individual cloakrooms were provided between the classrooms, this would enable a larger proportion of the.southern side to be thrown open and give Inore space for cupboard and other, purposes, and the cupboard at the back of the classroom could be omitted. Consideration of the report and plans was deferred until next meeting.