THE NEW BUILDING ERA

Evening Star, Issue 22687, 29 June 1937, Page 2

THE NEW BUILDING ERA

IDEALS OF ARCHITECTS “ Public opinion will not tolerate narrow self-interest in communities or individuals,” remarked Mr Percy Thomas, president of the Royal Institute of British Architects, in an address on the new building era. “ It is on the technical ability’ of architects that the success or otherwise of rebuilding our towns and cities will depend. That the aggregate skill of the architectural profession is increasing rapidly there is no doubt, but we must not he - content with present standards. Wo exist solely to serve the community and we must bend our utmost powers to that end.” In quoting that statement at a recent meeting of the Now Zealand Institute of Architects, Mr W. Gray Young remarked; “ I think we all agree that the community does not take advantage of our training as planners. One of the needs of to-day is for skilled planning, and no other profession is trained in this department in the way an -architect is. Mr Charles Marriott, the eminent critic, has put the matter very well when he says; ‘ Far from being regarded as the man who puts on the ” pretties,” the architect should be regarded as the person who decides the lay-out, plan, scale, and proportions of the social fabric, and the relation of one of its parts to another, in so far as the social fabric is material and visible. In deciding these questions he is guided by a sense of form and order which has been properly trained.’ He goes so far as to say that the place of the architect in the community in its material aspect is that of the Divinity who shapes emends. “ We have to introduce order, proportion, and beauty into the social fabric,” continued Mr Young. “,Wo aro trained in the planning of roads and open spaces, buildings of all types, from public buildings to telephone boxes, the setting on the sites and in relation to adjoining structures, the furnishings and fixtures—truly a wide field. Architects have a tremendous opportunity in front of them if they are only given that opportunity. We are members of a profession which is not only fascinating in its variety, but in its responsibilities, and it has that stimulus derived from creative effort which makes it a pleasure rather than a labour.” NEW NEW ZEALAND TOURIST OFFICES IN MELBOURNE. Alterations are being mad© to a largo section of the basement of the Colonial Mutual building, on the corner of Collins and Elizabeth streets, to form new offices for the New Zealand Government Tourist and Trade Bureau. Show windows are being removed, and an enlarged entrance doorway formed. Heavy bronze metal is being used for the entablature, show windows, and stallboards of the new fronts and display cabinets. Caro has been taken in dosigning the bronze work so that it will conform with the dignity of the granite piers of the main building. A feature of the entablature over the show cases and display windows will bo

a secretly lighted panel of amber glass, which at night will silhouette the bronze letters of the name. The show cases and windows will be veneered with Queensland maple. The new entrance will have marble terrazza steps, with specially designed double doors. In the offices the floor will be of jarrah parquetry and veneered blackwood and Queensland maple will be used for the fittings. The walls will be painted and decorated to harmonise with the waxed walnut dado and partitions. A largo pictorial map of New Zealand, painted by a artist, will be a feature of the wall finish in one section.