ARCHITECTURE IN CHRISTCHURCH.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20881, 14 June 1933, Page 14

ARCHITECTURE IN CHRISTCHURCH.

« ECCLESIASTICAL AND SECULAR. MANY FINE EXAMPLES. A STRONG GOTHIC INFLUENCE. In a building, as in a musical or literary work, there is generally something special that must be stressed if the proper character of the design is to be divulged. In ji hospital, the administrative block is normally a clue to the design; in any building containing an assembly hall, there is generally unlikely to be any other feature that ran compete with it for prominence. Christchurch possesses a set of buildings combining many of the virtues and few of the faults of architecture, covering a comparatively long period. To-day the natural tendency is for buildings to be more simple, and one seldom sees buildings so overladen with socalled Gothic ornamentation and detail as were favoured in the past. Modern requirements and conveniences have naturally made their mark, particularly in buildings containing lifts. Tending to Severity. There is a general tendency, also, to use reinforced concrete, and this is making itself remarked. In many cases buildings are being finished in cement, and colours in a wide variety are obtainable. A more severe type of building is springing up in Christchurch, largely owing to cost. Overhanging cornices are out of fashion at the moment, due principally to the earthquake risk incurred by parapets and cornices not designed to stand special strains. They are not expected to go out of fashion, however, for the value given to a building by the deep line of shadow at the top is often considerable. They are now tied to prevent falling. Ecclesiastical architecture in Christchurch possesses much charm. St. John's Church, in Latimer square, is early English, tending, in some details, to a slightly later period. The top of the tower was fSlaced in position as a war memorial and was to have been higher, but it was shaken by an earthquake just as it was being completed, and some structural damage prevented the addition of a spire. Mr B. J. Mountfort was the architect. St. Mary's Church, Merivale, is a comparatively recent •work and springs from the early and middle .style of (the Gothic period. Mr E. R. "Wilson, of Invercargil!, was. the architect. Educational Buildings. The Hare Memorial at Christ's College (the centre portion of the picture) is hardly of any particular period of Gothic, but there is a distinct' leaning towards the middle and late periods. It makes up a very happy group and is an ornament to the school buildings. The excessive growth of creeper is to be regretted, as it covers a little too much of the fine architectural lines. 1 Mr Q. W. Wood was the architect The Christchurch Girls' High School, in Armagh street (Messrs Armson, Collins, and Harman were the architects), is Gothic in general style, but does not adhere strictly to" any special period. It makes a pleasing group, however, especially in the older portion. The School of Art .is of the same period as many of the earlier buildings of Canterbury, and is English Gothic. Originally it was the Girls' High School Its porches compose a most pleasant feature. The architect was the late Mr Thomas Cane. A Florentine Note. Another of Mr Mountfort's designs is the Canterbury College Observatory tower. Very plain in style, it shows a marked contrast •with buildings of the ecclesiastical type which are considerably more ornate. It is probably of the middle period. The heavy cobelling beneath the railed platform is more reminiscent of very early renaissance work in Florence than the average English. St. Andrew's College is regarded as a good example of the early style of domestic architecture in Christchurch, when , the leanings were towards the Gothic period. Mr Frederick Strouts was the architect. The Modern Types. A modern school building in which the window area is much greater than that of the Girls' High School, which was built -in an earlier age, is the Christchurch Boys' High School, in Straven road, Biccarton. It makes up a dignified group. Messrs J. S. and M. J. Guthrie were the architects. Free treatment, based generally on a classical type of English architecture, is seen in the Cathedral Grammar School building by Mr W. H. Trengrove. It would be difficult to find a precedent for the large windows on the first floor in a true period, but it has been happily introduced in this instance. Simple dignity exists and the general appearance is most pleasing. An Architectural "Gem." The Canterbury Museum building, as a whole, is not considered by architects to be a happy type of Gothic work. The porch is the most interesting feature, and the fleche on the roof is a gem. It forms a charming terminal to the west end of Worcester street. The carving was done by an artist of very considerable skill, and although the mouldings indicate Early English type, the rendering has been free. The stone tower of the Provincial Council Chambers in Armagh street (Mr Mountfort) was intended originally as a firebreak. It found its favour in the early days, and there is charming detail which makes up for a possible lack of sedateness. Most citizens trust that it will be preserved for many years. Were the structures which have sprung up in the courtyard cleared away, and one or two trees planted, the general appearance would not be unlike the law inns of London. Among other buildings of considerable architectural beauty in Christchurch is the old Colonial Bank, in Hereford street. Its design was taken from a small Italian palace. Indeed, Christchurch has much to be proud of in its sky-line of buildings, and the more modern J structures are in strict keeping with 1 jediitectural progress. I * - '