BEAUTY WITH SIMPLICITY

Evening Star, Issue 21889, 28 November 1934, Page 2

BEAUTY WITH SIMPLICITY

MR T. K. S. SIDEY'S NEW HOME BUILT FOR SUNSHINE AND UTILITY [By Cornice.] When illustrations of_ the flat-roofed houses and the elimination of all fancy ornamentation in house construction first greeted the eye of the Dunedin public very few people were willing to express agreement with the latest architectural trend, and still fewer thought that anyone would have the courage to introduce such a creation into the midst of buildings fashioned on dignified Georgian and Tudor lines, or of the type giving expression to New Zealand conditions, yet representing no particular period. In this country, and particularly in Dunedin, it is said we have always been diffident in adopting new forms and ideas, yet in due course we become familiar with them, and then they are not only accepted, but quite generally approved. This will no doubt be the case in regard to these co-calied “ modern ” homes as they gradually make their appearance on large estates around the city. A typical example of this new style is illustrated on this page, and has been erected by Mr T. K. S. Sidey on a spacious section in Tolcarne avenue —a site which commands an uninterrupted view of the whole of Dunedin, the harbour, the beaches, and even Flagstaff. Despite the unrivalled view obtainable from this spot, the house has been primarily designed so that the maximum amount of sunshine enters each room. The balconies on the upper floor have therefore been made a feature of the home. From a photograph no idea can he obtained of the actual beauty of some of these “ modern ” creations, and in the case of Mr Sidey’s house colour plays an important part in investing the building with a distinctive appearance and irresistible charm. Another factor which increases admiration for this type of home is that it becomes necessary to use only first-class materials and to engage the services of a fully-qualified architect to ensure proper planning and a well-balanced design. In incompetent hands this new type of dwelling would give adequate cause for alarm.

Mr Sidey’s home, which is nearing the stage of completion, is of hollow brick and concrete construction, is fitted with steel windows, and has three layers of reinforced bitumen felt over a timbered roof. Insulating wallboard is used practically throughout the building to ensure a cool atmosphere in summer and warmth in winter; in fact, in every respect the interior conforms to modern standards of health and hygiene in a practical and economic manner. In the living room plastic paint will be used for decorative purposes, and all the woodwork with the exception of that in the hall is to be painted in bright colours. Cream textured cement, with white copings and sills, highly-coloured window sashes, and herringbone brickwork in the porches contribute largely to the attractiveness ot the exterior. Other noteworthy features are the flower boxes incorporated in the actual construction of the building on the front sun porch, at the front door and on the side porch. These flower troughs were first introduced by the Dutch, who made full use of them in beautifying their homes and even factory buildings. It will also be observed that a cantilever canopy overhangs the front porch, and that a stair leads to a terrace on the roof. Messrs Salmond and Salmond are the architects for this work, and Mr R. Mitchell is the builder.