“ARTINESS” IN HOUSING

Grey River Argus, 1 March 1939, Page 2

“ARTINESS” IN HOUSING

NEED OF MODERATION. A statement of the New Zealand Institute o f Architects mentions that the greatest weakness of domestic design in the Dominion is what may be [called “artiness”—that is, over-use of [ ornament, over-elaboration of detail, i fussiness and pretentiousness. " 1 hese faults,” it is stated, “spring from a desire for art —from a wish to get away from severe simplicity, a groping for beauty. They must, hovyever, be curbed, and it' is the architect’s business to preach and illustrate the doctrine of modernation in design. We must again emphasise, however, that this outward appearance is only part of his task. He will, indeed, .sketch out the interior, arrangements before he considers his outer walls. Inside he has to satisfy the requirements of his client and his client’s wife. "Women have a very real and special interest in architecture. Their menfolk are usually away from home all day; the housewife and her staff spend by far the greater amount of time at home and have to ’work’ the . house. Women, therefore, have a particular right to demand thai rooms shall be conveniently arranged, that waste space shall be reduced to a minimum, that labour-saving devices be provided wherever possible, and. that the general effect be harmonious and pleasant. Do you remember how the young wife in ‘Kips’ kept reminding her husband of ‘cupboards’ when he was discussing his new house? The architect appreciates the need for convenient fittings, such as cupboards and storage accommodation, and to make such other provision as the funds at his client's disposal will permit. “We have stressed the aesthetic side, but not to the exclusion of the practical. It is not only that a welldesign'ed, well-built house gives its owner, deep, lasting satisfaction. Es-

tate agents will tell you that welldesigned buildings have a definitely greater commercial value, and in, property advertisements you will always find that if the building-for sale has been designed by an architect, that fact will, be clearly stated. Similarly, lending and so- 1

licitors are more prepared to advance money on the architect-designed building because of the fact, that it is more readily marketable and also because the architect’s plans and-speci-fications are definite records of the method and materials used in Its struotion.”