Open Competition For Town Hall

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30498, 21 July 1964, Page 1

Open Competition For Town Hall

A two-stage architectural competition on a national basis was approved by the City Council last evening to decide on the architect to design Christchurch’s Town Hall; and Mr E. Armstrong, of Gisborne, was chosen as professional adviser for the competition.

The town hall committee said discussions had been held with Mr E. V. Dawson, chairman of the executive of the Institute of Architects. Draft conditions for the i unpetitions had been prepared by the institute and circulated to branches for comments.

Mr Dawson was reported as saying that the two-stage method would ensure the maximum of entries. It ensured that an architect whose basic conception was not acceptable did not waste months consolidating his failure. A number of architects, not fewer than four, not more than six, might be selected in the first stage, with the prize money divided equally among them, the final winner being entrusted with the work. Mr Dawson said that when a competition was held for the Dunedin University Library the prize money amounted to £2500. This total appeared reasonable for the Christchurch competition. Gallery Designer

Mr Armstrong, who is practising in his home town of Gisborne, served overseas during the First World War and completed his architectural studies in England, being admitted to membership of the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1920. In 1921 he was awarded the Henry Jarvis post-graduate studentship. In 1930 he won the competition for the design of the Robert McDougal! Art Gallery in Christchurch.

In 1934 he was made a fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects, and in 1957 was awarded the institute’s bronze medal for the most outstanding example of new London architecture.