“Visual Linkage” For Two Buildings In City
Two double-storeyed buildings incorporating architectural features unique in Christchurch are to be built next year. The buildings are for the “Mercantile Gazette" and Messrs Rhodes and Midgley, public acountants. The main feature of these buildings is that, although they will be separated by a 50ft gap, they will be "visually linked” by the use of the same type of construction.
"It Is a great opportunity to try to relate the two. instead of having a conglomeration of buildings side by side all different heights, colours, and types of construction,” said Mr T. Martin, of the firm of Messrs Griffiths and Moffat, architects for both buildings. A unique constructional feature is the 1 supporting of the floors from beams set into pillars, which in the “Mercantile Gazette” building, will be about three feet outside the walls. In addition the beams will run only in one direction—there will not be the usual grid of floor supports. Because there is not so much room for the accountants’ building, the pillars will project from the outside wall but will not be geperated from it. The walls will be of alternate glass and concrete panels. The concrete panels, however, will rise only to a height of fift Bin and the rest of the space to the stud height will be glass. Ventilation panels will be fitted into the glass. The “visual linkage’’ effect will be increased by having a concrete wall in front of both buildings. Gaps will be left in the wall through
which will be seen landscaping in front of the buildings. Provision has been made to allow for two extra storeys on both buildings and lateral additions to the accountants’ building. The buildings will be in Madras street, almost opposite the Y.W.C.A. Three houses, one of which was used by the Merivale Football Club as clubrooms, were all being demolished yesterday. The “Mercantile Gazette” building should be finished by May next year, and the other building soon afterwards.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19610712.2.63
Bibliographic details
Press, Volume C, Issue 29563, 12 July 1961, Page 8
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333“Visual Linkage” For Two Buildings In City Press, Volume C, Issue 29563, 12 July 1961, Page 8
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