GOVERNMENT HOUSE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 519, 28 May 1909, Page 8

GOVERNMENT HOUSE.

re - DESICN CRITICISED. THE DISAPPROVAL OF ARCHITECTS. AND THEIR REASONS. The design of the new vice-regal residence to bo erected on the Mount View Mental - ] Hospital reservo has been published in Wellington, and the public is informed that the new Government House is to bo "picturesque in appearance, without extravagance of architecture." The latter is readily, oonceded, but from inquiries made by a member '■[ of our staff yesterday there appears to bo 1 some little difference of opinion as to the "picturesqnoness" or appropriateness of tho Government Architect's design. It was after heanng a good deal of criticism from professional gentlemen who can speak with authority that inquiries were Kit on foot, and it is to hoped that it is not too lato to prevent _this_ design being adopted for a building thai is to accommodate our future Governors. Mot Bold or Dignified. 'It does not strike me' at all as 1 a suitable design for a Government House," stated a leading architect'to our reporter. "It might pass as a•• hospital or convalescent homo, but,the design, as far as one can judge from the print, is lacking in character —there is nothing distinctive about it, nothing bold or dignified, such as one looks for in a Governor's residence. Look at the long, straight sky-line of the roof—it must bo one nundred feet long—without a break; nothing to give relief or, arrest the attention. The exterior design of the old Government House is much better than tho new one. It was well-balanced, had a fairly good entrance, and a nice -tower—a, building that always stood out in a photograph of Wellmeton. . Note the long, plain chimney shafts of the now building, and tho little bit 3of . gables dotted about— it . wants something big and bold. A finer main entrance, with 'a tower above jt might have improved it, but the stylo is too i homely, and undignified to fit such on embellishment. I think that, without spending any more money than is intended, a much finer residence could have been designed. ~This. design is not worthy of the occasion, or the magnificent _ site that has been selected for. the building. A wood and stucco Government House—who ever heard of such a thing?" . : Wasto of Money. ■ Another architect consulted became quite ololonc in his condemnation of the design [ n , Government ■ House, as printed in tho public press. Ho commiserated with the Government Architect on tho limit Placed upon • him, but did -not excuse him for perpetrating such a place. Ho contended that at least another £10,000 might have . been expended on a decent brick edifice, which money could hsvo been saved by tho Government by refraining from tho ridiculous idea of giving the prospective vicq<regal: residence a new entrance from Sussex Square. Most people were not aware that pronertv situated near St. Mark's Church had ' been _ purchased by the , Government at a' considerable sum, bo as to make an entrance in a line, with the eastern sido of Sussex Square. A new and circuitous road will have to be constructed, fcnced in, and, he presumed, planted, whereas there is . a splendid road-, now from Adelaide Road (which has latoly, been widened and blocked), leaving no excuse for the new entrance. It thj money being spont on this entrance was added to the amount allocated for the building, 'Wellington might got a Government House it would be proud; of.. Cross-Bred. "What do I think of it? Don't ask me. It strikes mo as a cross between a country post office and a school. I notico thati the dosien is as 'strongly suggestive of. the Elizabethan style of architecture.' ' Poor Elizabeth; she will turn in her grave. > Something distinctive, even , ennobling, is wanted—l 'don't see anything of .the kind suggested in: the elevations printed." I Docs It Reflect Our Artlstlo Sense! "It's an abortion)" said another consultod. Picturesque 1• I can't see where it's picturesque. Even if it is to be of stucco with a- red-tiled roof tho demands of tho picturesque cannot be mot by such a design. It mil look like the houso in a box of brightly-painted toys. The Government might plead economy, but. is. it true economy to build of wood,and stucco such 1 a public building as tho vice-regal abodo? Surely not! 'In such a building the architecture should reflect tho character and artistic senso of tho peoplo, as has been tho caso in the centuriesold; towns of tho Old World. We' have done with pioneering in Wellington, and should begin to look for something a little hotter, a little: more educational'and uplifting in our architecture than has been the case.. The Governor's Prlvato Opinion Would Be r Interesting. . "Lord Plunket," continued the speaker, "was tempted to make some caustic remarks about our architecture about a year or so ago. I would liko to hear his private opinion on tho stylo of buildiiig proposed f<Sr tho, new Government House. 'I don't see in any. part a feature out of the ordinary in a stylo of architecture not generally approved for public buildings. The, design might. be that of a prosperous country inn in the Old Country, which has been extended in a line as tho business grew—it is distinctly not tho typo of ; building for a Government House, that I'll stake my reputation on. "I learn that it is tho intention of the Government to erect tho Government Houso by day labour. I hopo this is not true. There is a certain indolenco about tradesmen that did not used to exist. _ A builder who has a great many responsibilities can exorcise a certain oontrol over the men, but I am afraid it would be' different with the Government,"* .An Extended-Packing-Case. "Like an extended packing-case," was the verdict of another on the' design,. Tho long monotonous straight line of roof was' singled out for special objection; ■ "If the dosign liad not been labelled 'Governor's Residence' it might have been taken for an old men's home, or anything but what it■■ is," remarked another leading architect. ■ Ho folded back the paper so as to show only the middle portion of tho plan. "There you havo a nice little £1200 house," he observed. "But there were several thousands still to , spend, so the designer said, • 'We'll mako it longer.' " The poor sky line and the general lack of impressiveness of the building wero condemned. ; '