BUILDING HAS AN ATTRACTIVE INTERIOR

Press, Volume C, Issue 29565, 14 July 1961, Page 9

BUILDING HAS AN ATTRACTIVE INTERIOR

The interior of the new headquarters building of the Automobile Association (Canterbury) is perhaps even more attractive than the exterior. On the fifth floor is the members' lounge, the association’s council room, and the members’ billiards room. The lounge and council room are carpeted with a deep-pile oarpet and are provided with comfortable chairs. A coloured mural photograph covers one wall of the lounge and there is a writing desk, and telephone. The indirect lighting gives an air of comfort and serenity that is enhanced by the pleasant colour scheme of chair covers, carpets and curtains. The walls are partly panelled in heart rimu. Council Room In the council room a 17ft 6in long mahogany table is surrounded by chairs made of mahogany and upholstered in red leather. The ceiling, as throughout the building, is of acoustic tile. The council room is lit by two chandeliers and four other lights. The general effect is of soft diffused lighting which is nevertheless more than adequate for reading or writing. The billiards room opens off the lounge, and is complete with four tables and

facilities for serving light refreshments. Each table is well lit by six shaded lights. The billiards tables are the only furniture that was brought from the old building in Worcester street. They have been completely renovated. Players may purchase cigarettes and sweets from the billiards room stewards, who also provide a limited after-hours service for maps and touring Information up at 10.30 p.m. each week-day. A long upholstered seat is provided for onlookers. Dinta; Room The diningroom and kitchen are situated on the fourth floor. At the head of the stairs is a display wall on which will be hung a selection of full-colour drawings of vintage cars, together with printed information on each model. The fourth floor lobby opens on to a small waiting lounge at one end of, and incorporated with, the dining room.

The dining room has accommodation for 106 persons at a number of small tables. The tables and chairs are of modern design and the chairs all have upholstered seats. The dining room has an attractive parquet floor and is lit by indirect lighting. Large floor-to-ceiling windows, shaded by colourful sunblinds, provide an excellent view over the city towards the river Avon. Outside the windows is a balcony about 6ft wide and 50ft long. The walls of the dining room are part panelled in heart rimu. An unusual feature of the dining room ceiling, which is repeated in other parts of the building, is a low framework of polished beams. These are designed to break the light and provide a more intimate atmosphere. Kitchen The kitchen is fully equipped with the most modern equipment, and is provided with a service hatch to other floors. There are ovens, a bain-marie, a refrigerator, dishwasher and several stainless steel sinks and sink benches. The room is about 20ft by 30ft and is provided with two large extractor fans to dispel

steam and prevent cooking smells from penetrating to the dining room. The third, second and first floors are leased by the association to the Valuation Department, and have been partitioned to the department’s requirements. Public Office On the ground floor is the main public office of the association, a large airy and well-lit room with plenty of space for filing systems and other office equipment. Opening off the main office are the offices of the general secretary and the accountant the machine room (where addressing machines are operated) and the office manager's office. The main office, like the dining room, has a parquet floor. The columns rising through it are embellished with a mosaic of coloured piece# of tile set in the concrete. Behind the main office are the entrances to the office of the chief service officer, the centre of the telephone exchange system, and the association's garage. The office of the chief service officer, and the office of the technical officer which

adjoin* it, are divided from the main floor of the garage by a wall fitted with large windows. Garage The garage itself is about 60ft by 50ft and is equipped with a vehicle inspection pit and a vehicle hoist It will eventually also contain a full range of engine tuning and wheel alignment equipment. It is also planned to install an exhaust gas extractor to eliminate the danger from fumes. A pressure greasing plant for servicing the association's own fleet of vehicles will also be installed. At the rear of the garage is a signposting shop and three storerooms. Behind this is a cycle shed. Vehicular entry to the garage is gained through large steel folding doors. The architects for the building were Messrs Hall and Mackenzie.