Contest To Design Town Hall Urged

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30233, 11 September 1963, Page 17

Contest To Design Town Hall Urged

A competition to design the Christchurch town hall should be held among New Zealand architects—who were much better than most persons realised, Mr P. J. Beaven said at the opening of an exhibition of paintings and drawings in the Durham Street Art Gallerylast evening.

Mr Beaven, who recently returned from a tour overseas. said the work of New Zealand architects compared very favourably with that of overseas architects, whose work was often over-compli-mented by the magazine reproductions seen here. A model of a town hall and civic centre for the city, designed by a Christchurch architect, Mr R. T. Carlisle, one of the three exhibitors, was on display. It drew strong commendation from Mr Beaven. “It is an impressive example of the work of which New Zealanders are capable,” he said. In Australia he had seen a magnificent town hall—the result of a competition by Australian architects. It had been judged by oversees assessors, and it was important that such a competition in New Zealand should also be judged by overseas experts, from as far away as the United States preferably, so that all aspects of the designs submitted would receive thorough and expert analysis. Finnish Work It was significant that in Finland, where Government control was kept to a minimum and individuality given scope, the world's finest architecture was found. All architecture there was the work of private offices, said Mr Beaven. Finnish architecture was the most universally complimented, and in the summer, the country was a Mecca for architects from all parts of the Continent. He had been disillusioned by the architecture in some other parts of the Continent, said Mr Beaven. He gave examples of structures which were designed for effect when viewed from unconventional situations. In Sweden, the architecture of which was much vaunted, he found most of the work overdesigned and systematised. Extreme orderliness gave it a pronounced air of artificiality, he said. However it was clean, unlike New Zealand House in London. This building had too much glass and his first impression on seeing it was

one of dirtiness, said Mr Beaven. New Zealand architects were at a considerable disadvantage compared with their overseas counterparts because their opportunities to give full reign to talent were not frequent. Government and national conservatism was stultifying in New Zealand he said. Overseas achitects were “on top.” Given an assignment they were thoroughly briefed and could properly commit themselves to designing artistically, unhampered by public prejudice or unimaginative specification.

For too long other things had taken precedence over art in New Zealand. It was heartening to see an awakening in the vital work on display at the exhibition, Mr Beaven said.

Eighteen paintings by Mr T. A. Field, 14 by Mr A. Oliver, and 15 drawings by Mr Carlisle, are also in the exhibition. About 130 persons attended the opening last evening.