THE SUCCESSFUL DESIGN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13435, 13 March 1907, Page 8

THE SUCCESSFUL DESIGN.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED

BUILDING.

The style of architecture adopted by Messrs Clark is modern, classic. The building, when completed, according to the plans, will present a most handsome appearance. At the apex formed by thejunction of Queen and Grey Streets, the building is proposed to be surmounted by a fine striking tower, 18ft square, and rising 70ft above the roof of the edifice. The architects have treated the corner as an eiipse, the cornice of the. building being carried by four striking columns, some 22ft in height. This columnar treatment will form a feature of the building, for it will be extended all round the Queen-street frontage in the form of pillasters. The municipal portion of the building is divided from the portion set apart for the two public halls by a fine portico,-supported on columns and extending the -width of the footpath. This portico will also form the Queen-street entrance to the public halls, another entrance being provided in Grey-street. The roof of the portico forms a balcony, access to which is obtained from- a conservatory lounge dividing ] the municipal block, and the hall block on the first floor. The whole of the Queenstreet elevation, and . a small portion of that of Grey-street, ' nearest the Queenstreet corner, is proposed by the architects to be built in Oamaru stone, and the remainder of the ; Grey-street frontage in brickwork rendered in cement. The actual material, however, in which the building will, be,'constructed will depend on the decision of the Council, who will take into consideration the question of cost. . The principal front and main entrances are to Queen-street, and the fall of the ground across from Queen-street to Greystreet makes., another storey, forming "a lower ground floor to Grey-street. The great hall is in this lower storey, so that escape doors are direct on the (Trey-street level, _ The acute angle of the site is cut off, giving a fine position for a statue, and posts and chains protect the awkward intersection -of the pathways. The entrance to the municipal offices is made in Queen-street, but not in the centre of the elevation looking down the street, which would have made it difficult of approach and more exposed to weather. The stairs at the corner give access to all offices, and to central vestibules on all floors, with a lift for immediate intercommunication between all offices. The nature of the ground will require foundations to be carried down to the rock, which will be done by concrete piers, arched over to carry the walls a continuous foundation being quite unnecessary, except for the tower. The city of Chicago is built on this plan, on only a clay-pan bottom, and no inserts used his is a most economic foundation, and has been used by the designers in several' public buildings of magnitude. It has I been found necessary, in order to give accommodation on the ground floor for the i principal Town Hall offices and public! halls, to utilise the whole of the site, but I the upper floors to Grey-street will' not ' require to be built until further accommodation is wanted for the engineer's, waterworks, and electrical departments. ~! • ■ ' THE HALLS. ! The lesser balls and' main entrance to the great hall are en suite with the Mayor's' rooms, so that on occasion of public receptions ' they can all be used *, together 1 The conservatory over the public entrance will form an agreeable'lounge, and the supper! loom is convenient. The several parts are so arranged that side-light can be got* Sate IC71 C 7^ 8 - ThG , eat hall ground floor seats 1 00 persons, the balcony 950, and «« gallery 550: total 3000, exclusive Si staging for chorus,/of 300 and orchestra of) iL ..hi- he ,." J a Platform slides under the choir lift to give more space for danc-' : ; ing, making a total length of 132 feet clear. I Ihe organ space is large, and the blowing mechanism is to be in the cellar under the great hall and lightede from an area at the ' rear. - A grand staircase, 12 .feet wide,.! leads down to the ground floor, and a large I crush hall, ladies and gentlemen's retirin-' rooms and lavatories are provided. A' smoking room is provided next the gentle-'-j ,mens cloak room, and a card room is provided off the balcony level..;. There are six large exit doors on the ground floor, four-: direct into Grey-street, one into the court- d< yard and one under the landing of the gal- i lery stairs, so there is ample escape with-' out using the Queen-street entrance hall, ' which can be left for...' escape from balconv : and gallery. Additional escapes from the i balcony are also mentioned. Provision is i made for a large supper room under the ! lesser hall, on the level of the dancing floor. ° • In the lesser hall, on< the "round floor, there is seating accommodation for 570 and in the gallery for 230 and on the stage for 150. Retiring rooms, etc.. are also provided for this hall. The conservatory being fireproof makes an excellent firebreak between the prreat hall, lesser hall and l the municipal offices. . THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS. The Council Chamber is shown fitted up with accommodation for 54, with a desk to each councillor, but there is ample room for more. The Mayor and town clerk have direct access from their offices. The Mayor's rooms are situated centrally, so that on public occassions they are en suite with the halls and main entrance.

OTHER. DETAILS

The document then goes on to "ive details of the accommodation for the various officials!, and states that gas and electric lighting will be laid on, and no artificial system of ventilation will be required and hot water radiators will be supplied'from a boiler in the cellar. The floors of cellars and areas are concrete, with granolithic finish and lavatories tiled. The floor of the greater and lesser halls will be of wood, and generally all office floors where they can be ventilated. The entrance halls, vestibles, and corridors on the ground floor are to be tiled, and other floors of wood. The public stairs and landings throughout are to be fireproof. Steel construction is provided throughout for carrying floors, galleries, and walls where over spaces; walls, ceilings, and floors of strong rooms above spaces to be reinforced concrete construction, and also tiled floors above ground. The main entrance to halls, conservatory, and rooms over the archway to Grey-street to be complete fireproof construction, so as to divide the building into two distinct risks, and the greater and leaser halls separated on both floors -with sliding fireproof doors. The cost of the building has been carefully considered in the design and construction, and estimated at the rates which apply to this class of work it should not exceed the stipulated amount. ■ VIEWS OF THE MAYOR. On being seen last evening, the Mayor said, generally speaking, he was more than pleased with the number and merit of the designs submitted. "It is quite apparent," said the Mayor, "That some of the other designs are probably—so • far as outside appearances are concernedmore imposing, but one can only . conclude tha.t the internal arrangements were not so good, nor the probable" cost of the building within the specified sum. as the designs selected." The design placed first would give ample accommodation for a large public hall, as well as a smaller or.e, and it provided very great facilities, both by way of ingress and egress.' While the accommodation for the Council's staff and the general carrying on of the various departments had been well thought out. together with the general convenience of the public. "What do you think of the general arrangements of the interior''" the Mayor was asked. " The general arrangements of the interior are also handled in a most masterly manner, and if I might venture the opinion after the cursory glance I had. the public .of Auckland will have a town hall and public offices worthy of the premier city of New Zealand,"- replied Mr. Myers.