New A.M.P. Buildings, Palmerston North

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 175, 21 April 1937, Page 7

New A.M.P. Buildings, Palmerston North

ONE of the most striking changes that has taken place since the advent of the twentieth century has been- in the world’s architecture. In a new city like Palmerston North this is not as noticeable as it is in older places that are rich in the best specimens of the Georgian and Victorian large public buildings. These changes are due to many causes, probably the chief one being the enormously enhanced land values and the excessively high municipal and other rates and taxes that are paid on the central sites of large cities. These two items have necessitated the Increase in floor area by the increase in the number of floors, in other words, by higher buildings. To design a two or three-tloored building was not very difficult with the beautiful examples of the best Italian, French and English Renaissance structures as motifs for the architects to follow—but when “skyscrapers” had to be dealt with a different problem had t<> be solved. It was thought that, the best thing to do was to treat these buildings as columns. To have a solidly-designed base, comparatively plain successive floors (representing the shaft of the column) till the top ones were reached and then treating these In a lighter and more ornamental manner to cor respond with the capitals of the column. This idea is exemplified in the building of the Australian Mutual Provident Society In Wellington. The new A.M.P. Offices In Broadway are the latest example of Palmerston architecture in which these principles have been adhered to. In this building there Is practically no applied orna menf, all is square, upright and solid attributes claimed by the Society The frontage to Broadway Is fortyfour feet and the total depth of the building is eighty-slx feet. Its height to the top of the parapet and exclusive of lhe Society's emblematic group which forms the apex of the design, Is fifty-seven feet. On the ground floor are two entrances facing Broadway and one at tho side giving access to tlie Agents Department. The doors In front are

of bronze of solid simple design with the letters "A.M.P.” in the centre ot each fold. Upon passing through that nearest The Square and crossing a small vestibule, the main office is entered. It is a large chamber fourteen feet in height and having an area ot approximately twelve hundred feet. The whole of the woodwork In this and in the Manager’s Boom, which leads ot. it. is of highly-polished Queensland maple, and is very effective and striking. The floor of the public space is covered with inlaid rubber, arranged with its specially-designed margins to follow the walls and counter Above tlie woodwork the finish is In tinted plaster The Manager’s Boom is a comfortable, xvell-lighted apartment, with tinted walls and a maple dado as before mentioned.

Behind the General Office are three good-sized rooms to be used by the Industrial Department Superintendent and bv the Society’s Agents. At the rear of all are the boiler-house and a large shed for bicycles. On the ground floor are the usual conveniences for both sexes, all with tile-covered walls up to a height of seven teet, and fitted with the latest appliances. Upon entering the further bronze door the tenants’ lobby and stairease and lift are reached, and these parts are all of the most up-to-date character. The three upper floors are devoted to tenants, and with the exception of the unimportant minor rooms which are in the centre of the building and get their light and air from a well, all the offices are exceptionally well lighted and airy, and present a most cheerful appearance. As on the -round floor lhe conveniences supplied by the Society are most satisfactory aiid up-to-date. The building is as nearly fireproof and earthquake-proof as it is possible to make it. and Ims been designed on the most approved principles, it is of reinforced concrete with a flat roof, covered with Neuehatel asphalt. It is centrally heated throughout, and hot water is conveyed to every basin. All floors are covered cither with rubber, linoleum or axmlnster earpet.