ANOTHER FINE BUILDING FOR CITY

Press, Volume C, Issue 29565, 14 July 1961, Page 7

ANOTHER FINE BUILDING FOR CITY

MODERN AND IMPRESSIVE

RISING high into the air on the south side of Latimer square the new headquarters building of the Automobile Association (Canterbury) is an imposing addition to Christchurch’s growing list of modern and impressive buildings. The distinctive six-storey building provides full facilities for members and administration in light and airy surroundings. Built at a cost of £130,000, it replaces the association’s old Worcester street building which was recently sold for £42,000.

There is 3300 square feet of space on each of the six floors and a custodian’s flat on the roof. The association occupies 1 the ground floor, the fourth floor and the fifth floor. The first, second, and third floors are '.eased to the Government Valuation Department. The association’s dining room is on the fourth floor and the council room, with an adjacent members' lounge and billiards room, is on the fifth floor. At the rear of the building on the ground floor is a garage, equipped with a vehicle hoist and a servicing pit At one end of the garage is the office of the chief service officer (Mr B. A. Anderson) and the vehicle inspection officer (Mr P. E. Bell). At the other end is a signpost maintenance room and three storerooms. Behind the garage is a cycle shed.

Simplicity The building was designed to be of economical structure. that is, simple in construction and design. It rests, on 68 piles, each 30ft long and each driven fully into the ground. It has a reinforced concrete frame and brick panel walls. The types of brick used were specially selected, and the cream facing bricks are of special manufacture. Considerable experiment was done by the suppliers to produce this type of brick. Little structural steel was used except in the garage on the ground floor and on the fifth floor, where interior columns were dispensed with and steel cross-beams were used. This was mainly done so that the billiards room and lounge should be free from columns. Some aluminium was used for finishing work and for the angle margins of the acoustic-tile ceilings. These ceilings are fully suspended

from the floor of the storey above, and are free to swing in the event of an earthquake. This type of construction also permits .wires and pipes to be placed between the ceiling and the floor of the storey above. One of the advantages of this is that parts of the ceiling can be removed easily and quickly for repairs or additions to pipes and wiring.

Sun-Roof The concrete sun-roof is drained by concealed downpipes. This sun-roof provides about 2000 square feet of space, and is protected by a safety fence. Concrete block windbreaks are also provided. There is an earthquake gap between the multi-storey main building and the singlestorey ground floor garage. The Automobile Association’s crest is on the front of the building. This sign is illuminated at night and can be seen from a considerable distance. On the western side of the building the letters “A.A.C." are placed. These are softly illuminated from behind at night and are very much in keeping with the character of the building. At the top of the building, concrete columns are carried through the top floor, providing what is almost the framework of an additional storey. One of the reasons for this design is to allow any additions to be made in the future without detracting from the general appearance of tlie building.

The front of the building on the ground floor is decorated with panels of polished granite. The windows in the front wall of the main office, the office of the general secretary and the accountant's office, cover only the top two or three feet of the interior wall. They provide good ventilation and light without permitting passers-by to see into the

offices. Large window* are provided in the side wall. The main door is on the western side of the front of the building. A canopy lined with acoustic tile covers the step on to a tiled floor which leads into the foyer of the building through twin glass doors. The canopy was lined with acoustic tile to cut down the noise of leather heels striking the hard tile. Outside the doors and to the right a receptacle has been formed in which dwarf shrubs or other plants may be placed. Similar receptacles, some in the form of window boxes, have been olaced throughout the building.

Foyer The main foyer contain the entrance to the passenge. lift, the stairs and a smal waiting space. Inside the dooi to the foyer is a heating unit which blows hot air downwards and ensures that visitors are warm from the moment they enter the building. A door also opens off the main foyer into a small lobby which opens on to the main office of the Automobile Association. The lobby walls are constructed of vertical strips of polished woodseparated by glass panels. inside the association’s lobby is a display pane showing badges from auto mobile associations through out the world. In addition to the auto matic passenger lift situatec in the main foyer, the building is provided with a goods lift of the “dumb waiter” type which connects the dining room with the ground floor. Except where the floors are of wood or tile, they are of concrete which has been sprayed with a layer of noninflammable grey - coloured plastic. This plastic surface is also used on -the stairs.