REDUCING HOUSE COSTS

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27047, 23 May 1953, Page 5

REDUCING HOUSE COSTS

Government Invites Suggestions prizes of £lO9O IN TWO COMPETITIONS (New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, May 21. i The Government is offering cash prizes totalling £lOOO for two housing design and construction competitions. Details of the competitions were given today by the Acting-Prime Minister (Mr K. J. Holyoake). The prize-money in the first competition, which is for the design of a lower-cost family home, totals £625, and for the second competition, which is for ideas in housing construction leading toward lower costs, the cash prizes total £375. The prize-winning entries in both competitions will be used in the Government’s housing drive. The competitions are supported by the New Zealand Institute of Architects, but it was emphasised by Mr Holyoake that the conditions were such that they would not confine the field to architects.

The object of the housing design competition was to produce a good standard family home at lower costs than those which were at present embarrassing both prospective homeowners and the building industry, said Mr Holyoake. The conditions of the competition would show that it was not intented to achieve lower costs by any reduction of essential amenities. Designs submitted would need to conform to the New Zealand standard building code. The investigations made by the Government suggested that the cost of houses could be reduced by careful architectural design which made use of modern experience with planning, building methods, and materials. The type of plan sought, added the Minister, was for a three-bedroomed house in which the third bedroom could either be built at the time the house was erected or added at a convenient time later. The floor area was to be not less than 900 square feet, or about the area contained in a standard three-bedroomed State house. Sketch Plans Required

Entrants in the competition were to submit sketch plans, elevations, perspectives, and adequate description of construction, and a statement of estimated costs.

The first prize would be £3OO, second £l5O. and the third £75. There would also be four prizes of £25. For the second competition Mr Holyoake' said that entries must incorporate some idea which would lead to greater economy or improved efficiency in housing construction either within the existing standard building by-laws or by reasonable variation of them. A brief, but adequate, description of the proposal with a sketch drawing was required with the entry. The first prize would be £lOO, the second £5O, the third £25. There would also be 20 prizes of £lO. The judges for the two competitions will be the Government Architect (Mr F. Gordon Wilson), the Director of Housing Construction, Ministry of Works (Mr R. B. Hammond), a representative of the New Zealand Master Builders’ Federation and a representative selected by the National Council Of Women. Entry forms and conditions of the competitions may be obtained from the secretary, the New Zealand Institute of Architects, Wellington. Entries will close on July 21.