SOUND AND ARTISTIC HOMES

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 36, 12 February 1925, Page 4

SOUND AND ARTISTIC HOMES

" Built under the supervision of an architect" iB sometimes to be noted in the descriptions of house properties announced for sale. Its inclusion suggests two things: (1) that architectural supervision is a guarantee of honest workmanship and sound quality; (2) that such-supervision is sufficiently uncommon to be noted. Both these facts were emphasised by speakers at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Institute of Architects yesterday. Mr. W. H. Gummer stated that 95 per cent, of the buildings erected in New Zealand were still built without the services of an architect. It appears to be a very.high percentage; but we may be certain that the proportion of builders' houses is fairly high-. Why is it so? Pro-bably-it is largely accounted for by the widespread impression that an architect is needed only when the building to be erected is one of which- the cost is reckoned in thousands; that architects do not wish to be bothered with small places,'and will not give time and attention to their design and supervision, and that if they do it will cost much more than it is worth. This impression is gradually being corrected. People are beginning to realise that the advice of an expert is of value even for smaller works, and that his trained mind can suggest economies and conveniences not apparent to the layman. His Excellency , the Governor-' General suggested yesterday that the Institute should turn more from palaces to cottages for a while. "I would' like," he said, " to see an exhibition of plans for houses which" would arouse real interest in the community." This is sound advice, and if it is accepted, the public and the experts will both benefit. The public will be afforded the best evidence that cottage-building is work in which the architectural profession has an interest, and that beauty of design and the acme of .convenience and comfort may be secured often without a great-addition to the cost, and sometimes with an actual saving. There are/' experts 'who have made a special study of" interior home-planning, and they are gradually correcting some of those faults which remained with us for ages, simply because the housekeeper's point of view was not considered. An exhibition of designs illustrating the progress of this work would also be of great interest and value. The designs of Jiomes in Wellington have improved beyond measure in recent years. There is less sameness in design; buildings have greater individuality, and beauty and distinction are obtained by more artistic means, particularly by attention to the possibilities of the site. It is true that the Californian bungalow may still be seen perched on a hill or clinging to a slope much more suitable for a Swiss chalet, but there is less of the monotony which at one time threatened to overwhelm this city. The improvement, however; is principally in two or three of the more expensive suburbs; there is ample room for extension in what may be termed the cottage districts, where the casement window and porch type of house is likely to become as regular as the box and verandah or box and bay window were twenty years ago. But there is an even greater service that the architects may render to the cottage districts/ and, indeed, to the whole community. They may bring their united influence to bear upon the local governing authorities to secure revision, and, so far as is possible, uniformity of building bylaws! The revision is badly needed, particularly with respect to the use of building materials other than wood. We do not desire to see the way prepared and paved for the jerry-builder; but the bylaws should prescribe a minimum standard which, while assuring safety and healthy will not impose unnecessary expense upon the poorer home-maker. As timber increases iiv price aud the bobter qualities

become more difficult to obtain, it is moae urgently necessary that the use of other materials should be encouraged. This encouragement can be given and the public can be assured of sound specifications if expert and disinterested attention is given to this phase of the house-building problem.