CHEAPER HOUSING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22349, 21 February 1936, Page 13

CHEAPER HOUSING

RESEARCH NECESSARY

ACTION BY ARCHITECTS LOCAL BODIES' HELP SOUGHT The assistance of local bodies in order to permit an investigation to be made into the question of low-cost housing in the Dominion was sought by the New Zealand Institute of Architects in a resolution passed at the annual conference yesterday. On the motion of Mr. C. R. Ford, it was resolved that whereas it had been shown that much research and fullscale experiment was necessary to find a solution to the problem of the design and construction of dwelling houses for workers and others, which might be let at an economic rent, the institute strongly urged that by-laws should be so framed as to permit the erection of trial houses embodying materials or methods of construction which did not comply with such bylaws.

Recognising the need of the enforcement of proper by-laws to saleguard public health and safety, the institute recommended that any permission to erect dwelling houses not in accordance with by-laws should only be by special approval given by formal resolution of the local authority in each particular case. Permission should be conditional upon presentation by the owner of full plans and specifications prepared by a registered architect, giving all particulars which might be required by the engineer or other proper officer appointed by the local authority, to enable him to form a judgment of the proposed material and/or form of construction for recommendation to the local authority. It was decided to send a copy of this resolution to every local authority in the Dominion.