NEW CATHEDRAL

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 82, 7 April 1938, Page 10

NEW CATHEDRAL

TO BE OF CONCRETE

ARCHITECT'S MISSION

GOTHIC NOT FAVOURED

That the proposed Wellington Cathedral will not follow the fifteenth century Gothic designs of English cathedrals was mentioned by the architect, Mr. Cecil M. Wood, of Christchurch, who left New Zealand by the Rangitata today on a short visit to England, the ! Continent, and America. It is intended that the foundation stone of the cathedral shall be laid as a part of the Centenary observance by the Church of England in the Wellington diocese. Mr. Wood's mission upon his tour is mainly concerned with the cathedral construction. .Before leaving he was asked by a "Post" reporter for an outline of his intended investigations into new architectural developments.

"My visit to England, the Continent, and America marks a very important , stage in the development of the proposed Anglican Cathedral for Wellington," Mr. Wood stated. "For the time being, I am leaving behind the tentative plans already prepared, taking copies of the originals for reference when abroad. One of the chief motives for my visit is to inquire into the more advanced treatment of large concrete surfaces such as one has to deal with in modern building, particularly in a structure of the scale of a cathedral. The latest methods I hope to study should be found on the ■ Continent, rather than in England, and certainly they will be found in Sweden and America.

"Colours plays a very important part abroad in the architecture of today, and recent years have seen a marked development in this direction. I hope that colour will play an equally important part both internally and externally in the decoration of the Cathedral. In many instances the internal walls are also treated with mural decorations, and I am of opinion that this medium is well worth consideration. It should be appreciated that in the countries I have mentioned there is a wealth of wonderful craftsmen to choose from."

The architect was asked if ecclesiastical buildings of this type had been erected in Europe.

"Although reference has been made to concrete methods of construction abroad," he replied, "I realise that in Wellington we will be creating a precedent by erecting a cathedral in this medium. One will find recent ecclesiastical work of concrete -in Europe but not on the scale, of a cathedral. This fact tends to iend an added interest to what I hope will become an important contribution to reinforced concrete construction in New Zealand, and one which I feel it is a privilege to be associated with.

"It must be obvious to everyone who lives in the Dominion that, to carry out the Church's offer pi sanctuary for the spirit, it must also afford safety in the event of an earthquake, and for this reason alone it'"must be built in concrete strongly reinforced. Apart from this very important factor, the stonework of the Gothic cathedrals of England, with their gai% den setting of a peaceful countryside, would look entirely out of- place in this rather raw young country of. ours, which lacks the patina of old England, yet offers a wonderful site for the right design, a design in a new country, for a young people, i and remembering the generations to follow.

"From these remarks," Mr. Wood concluded, "you wiil gather that I am not in favour, even if circumstances would permit, of transplanting fifteenth century Gothic into New Zealand. The plan, however, is orthodox" and cruciform, and the great height of the walls is Gothic in proportion. And there the similarity ends." ■

There are other matters of importance to inquire into, sudh as acoustics, heating, lighting,, and furnishings, and when - studying these Mr. Wood hopes to consult the best, advice available. His trip will, however, be very hurried, as he hopes to be on his way back to New Zealand in July.