BENEFIT OF “ILL WINDS”

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 12869, 23 May 1936, Page 10

BENEFIT OF “ILL WINDS”

AROITITECTURA L IMPROVEMENTS One effect of the “financial blizzard” in the United States of America, was to brighten some of the mam streets ©f plenty of towns- by the engagement of architects to improve the appearance and increase the usefulness* of old unsightly buildings. There is much scope for that kind o; service :n e.tios and towns of New Zealand. “During recent years*.” remarks a contributor to the “American Archtcet”, “many architects, some possessing wcl I-established reputations, have been forced to design small buildings of a type to which, they formerly gave little or no consideration. The- architecture of any main street is sufficient to indicate the need for architects giving small buildings, their attention. In doing so, they arc rendering real service to* the community.

“One architect, for the first time •in his life, liia« been remodelling small stores and resturants. Thesemust be executed at small cost. He lias learned’: lioav to get the most 'architecture' for the least money and lioav to work efficiently, so tht- he may have* a, little ©f his fee left over) for himiself. He makes sure that his clients at least obtain good plans and clear draAvings. One restaurant Avas losing patro-nage. After it Avas altered patronage returned. The oAvner gives the architect due 1 credit, tells his friends and this architect sets more work. “Another architect sarv in his loavr an old-time drug store. The: store was several steps' above the street. The second floor was being wastefuily used foe storage purposes. The architect convinced* the druggist that his business, could: he; improved

by lowering the store floor to the street level, and that the second floor, re-planned for the offices of a local dentist, could! be made to produce an income. The alteration, was made. The druggist admits that his business has improved. He now has a? tenant in the second storey. Hie appearance of the main street has been improved. “Beth of these architects have learned that through observation, intelligent handling and giving good services,'they can obtain commissions even hi dull times. Their clients have learned that architectural service pays dividends and they do not hesitate to recommend such services to their friends. “Through contact with the owners of small buildings these architects have also learned that they are rendering’ a. necessary service to . a group that has too long suffered through lack of a. ‘doctor.’ They have found this work to be less 1 irksome than they had supposed. These architects' 'realise, with a sense, of personal satisfaction, that tfiey have I taken ,a leaf from the book of the I medical profession. They have given I service where needed, no* matter who I asked for it. When architects do more of this! land of service, the appear- | and of American towns 'dihd cities | h'e improved, and more buildings will .be better planned. And the; public will then instinctively. turn to the architect when it thinks of huildi’hg. In. small profits lie large opportunities.’’ .