Town Hall Planning Contest

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30179, 10 July 1963, Page 14

Town Hall Planning Contest

For yean most Christchurch residents have probably assumed that the design of their town hall will be settled after an architectural competition. Last October Professor G. Stephenson, the City Council’s Australian consultant, recommended this course. Now the City Council’s town hall planning sub-committee proposes to restrict the competition to one for Christchurch architects. Without reflecting upon the abilities of Christchurch architects, citizens may well question the wisdom of this proposal By any standards tr.e town hall will be a big. interesting project, involving considerations that will be dealt with best by specialists in this

particular field of architecture. It is likely to be discussed not only throughout New Zealand, but

overseas. A good, modern plan is essential. Christchurch citizens owe it to

themselves to exploit international architectural talent. While much may be learnt from the proposed studies ui similar projects in Lower Hutt, Wanganui, and Hamilton, the primary need tn profit from overseas experience and to make the best use of an unusually ai tractive site should not be forgotten. Professor Stephenson aptly described •he town hall project as a cnallenge to the city. By bolding an international architectural competition the City Council would show its determination to be equal to the challenge.