ART GALLERY.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19726, 17 September 1929, Page 10

ART GALLERY.

DESIGN APPROVED. TO BE BUILT IN STONE OR brick. The Domains Board unanimously decided at its meeting yesterday afternoon, to agree to the design submitted tor the new art gallery and to its being buil# on the sito in the Botanic Wardens, at present partlv occupied by the curator's house. It added a strong recommendation that the gallery Be built in stone and that if it were decided not to erect it in stone the materials to be used to be submitted to the Board for its approval. Land was also granted to enable the site to be shifted three feet six inches to the north of the site originally proposed so that th© steps of the building would come between two trees with the result that no trees in the avenue would need to be cut down. The discussion of details tooK placo rn committee, the principal point being the materials in which the gallery was to be constructed. It is understood that the provisional plans provide for a brick building, but the Art Gallery Committee has not discussed this point. The feelings of the Domains Board on the question are embodied in the resolution passed yesterday. Mr George Harper and the Hon. Mr Buddo were appointed to represent the Domains Board on the Art_ Gallery Committee in future negotiations. At the beginning of the meeting, Mr Harper explained proceedings as far as they had gone He was not oresent at the special meeting in the Gardens when it had been atrreed to offer the site of Mr Young's house for the gallery. If he had been he w-ild have voted for this site. Since then they had had a conference wHh the Art Gallery Committee and had nn opoortnnity of seeing the different plans The Board had to approve of the nlan submitted, but whatever decision they miorhf come to it would he subject to the decision of the Minister for whoso verdict would be final. Hut the olans had nlreadv submitted to exnerts, so it was lively that he would follow expert advice.

WINNING DESIGN SELECTED. A UNANIMOUS DECISION. The winning d?sign in the competition for the new Art Gallery was selected at last night's meeting of the City Council on the recommendation of the Jury of Award. The discussion was taken in committee, and when the Council resumed the Mayor announced that it had unanimously adopted the recommendation of the Jury of Award to accept Plan No. 30, that of Mr E. W. Armstrong, 36 Bedford square, London. The other two plan* were submitted by Mr A. S. Eeid, 36 Temple Gardens, London, and Messrs Gummer and Ford, Auckland, and were placed in that order. By a unanimous vote the site offered by the Domains Board was accented, a condition being that the Council provide for the removal and re-erection of the curator's house, the cost not to expeed £2OOO. The question of raising the money was referred to the Finance Committee.

The Mayor (Mr J. K. Archer), Cn. J. A. Fleaher, I>. G. Sullivan, M.P., in conjunction with the chairman of the Domains Board (Mr George Harper), were appointed a sub-committee with power to act in arranging for the necessary legislation for the transfer from the former Bite to the present site. It was also decided to recommend that the Art Gallery be erected in Halswell stone, and witfo a view to making this possible, that the stone be supplied by the Council without cost. The Art Gallery Committee, which will supervise the letting of the contract and the erection of the galleiy, will consist of the Jury of Award—Mr B. E. McDougall, the Mayor, Mr B. Wallwork, and Crs. Beanland, Sullivan, Flesher, Sharpe, and Williamson, together with Mr George Harper. The question of providing quarters for the caretaker and of isuing an Art Gallery book was referred to the Art Gallery Committee with power to act. It is the intention of the committee to get into action right away, so that building operations may be commenced as soon as possible. It was suggested during the discussion that in view of Mr McDougall's generosity in presenting the Art Gallery other citieens might be willing to come forward and provide the cost of preparing the site, which involve# the removal of the curator's house. The Plan. The vestibule is approached by a flight of five broad steps. Entering the building on the right-hand side are the attendants' room and space for umbrellas; on the left-hand a large sidelighted panel, suitable for a picture. The Sculpture Hall opening direct from the vestibule is most effectively designed. The plan is in the form of a Greek Cross. The floor—of marbleis on a level with the floor of the vestibule. Green marble columns of the lonic order support a massive entablature surmounted by a broad frie«e suitable for decorative treatment of historical subjects. The re-entrant angles of the Greek Cross are covered with small domes and the lighting of the hall is thoroughly well distributed by means of a horizontal coffered ceiling—the coffers being formed of truncated pyramids, painted white. On both sides of tho Bculpture Hall three shallow steps lead up to a raised platform, on a level with the two Small Oils" Galleries (31ft * 28ft) to the north and south from which good views of the sculptures will be obtained. Turning to the south along the front or East corridor there are on the left two bays, each 10ft 6i» x 16ft for the exhibition of '' Large Oils.'' These bays are well lighted. The corridors adjoining them l««d to the galleries devoted to the "Miscellaneous works, and Small Oils." Striking Focal Point. Exactly opposite the end of the corridor would be s well-lighted picture forming a striking focal point. similar gallery is placed on the northem side and the corridors, leading into these two galleries, form together with the galleries themselves, a most effective "thoroughfare'' plan. These galleries are 66ft by 20ft wide and have eolutnns at each end dividing the gallery into three parts. The bay treatment is shown to the East and West eorridor. There are eight bay« in all, fonr leading off the Eastern corridor and four off the Western one. Opposite the centre of the Sculpture Hall, facing the vestibule, there is a small room 18ft by 23ft marked «for miniatures and but as the miniatures will be placed in the director's room this small room will probably be devoted to engravings only. On either side of this room staircases lead down to the men's and women's lavatories respectively. The director's room is placed over the vestibule, and •pecial stairs lead up to it. A servery ia provided, as well as lavatory accommodation. In the basement are plaeed

a furnace room, unpacking room, workshop, and storage space. The whole of the interior effect in admirable, and there are delightful vistas in all directions terminated in eaeh case by a well-placed and welllighted picture. The lighting throughout is based on the assessor's system—-top-side-light—now recognised by all art gallery authorities throughout the world as giving the best results. There will be a total absence of all glare: and all reflections in the pictures, wherever hung, will be eliminated. The lighting has indeed controlled the design so that it will be possible to enjoy to the full the proper functions of an art gallery. Zh« Klsvatiooi. The entrance front is on the east elevation. Treated as it is in red brick And Portland stone dressings, when seen In eonjunction with the surrounding dark green foliage there will be produced a fine harmonious effect. There sire many buildings elsewhere recalling such combination of material (e.g., Hampton Court and the Orangery of Kensington Gardens), which, as the competitor remarks is a very appropriate combination for a foliaged site. The design ia essentially a modern one, in that it is a direct and sincere expression of the purpose for which the building is erected. It is austere in its simple dignity. The harmonious relation of the massing of its parts, the fine sweep of horizontal line with its central point of interest in the welldesigned portico—all make for a delightful exterior. This Art Gallery, with its effective lighting for both day and night, its skilful planning, it* harmonious setting and fine exterior will be a notable one among the galleries erected in modern times.