THE ARCHITECT’S PLACE

Evening Star, Issue 22272, 25 February 1936, Page 2

THE ARCHITECT’S PLACE

IN OLD AND MODERN TIMES A contributor to the current issue of the ‘ Journal of the New Zealand Institute of Architects ’ gives some very readable passages from a translation of the works of Vitrurius, who wrote on architecture many centuries ago. Here are some passages of interest to the general public “Architecture is a science arising out of many other sciences, and adorned with much and varied learning, by the help of which a judgment is formed of those works' which hre the result of other arts. Practice’ and theory are its parents. Practice is the frequent and continued contemplation of the mode of executing any given work, or of the mere operation of the hands, for the conversion of the material in the best and readiest way. Theory is the result of that reasoning which demonstrates and explains that the material wrought has been so converted as to answer the end proposed. Wherefore the more practical architect is not able to assign sufficient reasons for the form he adopts; and the theoretic architect also fails, grasping the shadow instead’ of the substance. ±ie who is theoretic as well as practical is therefore doubly armed; able not only to prove the propriety of his design hut also to carry it into execution. In architecture, as in other arts, two considerations must be constantly kept in view—namely, the intention and the matter used to express that intention; but the intention is founded on a conviction that the matter wrought will fully suit the purpose. He, therefore, who is not familiar with both branches of the art has no pretension to the title of architect.

“ Since, therefore, this art is founded upon and adorned with so many different sciences, I am of opinion that those who have not, from their early youth, gradually climbed up to the summit, cannot, without presumption, call themselves masters of it. Perhaps, to the uninformed, it may appear unaccountable that a man should be able to retain in his memory such a variety of learning, but the close alliance with each other, of the different branches of science, will explain the difficulty. For as a body is composed of various concordant members, so does the whole circle of learning consist in one harmonious system. Therefore those who, from an early age, are initiated in the different branches of learning, have a facility in acquiring some knowledge of all, from their common connection with each other.”