STUDENTS' WORK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23486, 25 October 1939, Page 12

STUDENTS' WORK

ARCHITECTURE SCHOOL ANNUAL EXHIBITION PRE-FABRICATED HOUSES That the Auckland University College School of .Architecture continues to move with the times is demonstrated by the annual exhibition of students' work, which will be opened in the College Hall this afternoon by the president of the Auckland Society of Arts, Mr. R. 0. Gross. Of thrde theses presented by fifthyear students, one by R. G. Beatson is unusual and of special interest, in that it demonstrates a proposed "unit" system for the construction of houses in large numbers. This method, which allows for a liberal measure of fabrication, is based on a unit dimen* sion of 3ft. 6in., the width of the average passage in a small house. All Rooms and Fittings Mr. Beatson proposes that all rooms shall be planned in multiples of this unit, that floors shall consist of prefabricated unit squares of plywood, and that walls and partitions shall be made up of panels 3ft. Bin. wide, either plain or containing doors, windows or electric light fittings, as may be. required. The pro-fabricated Unit idea extends to rafters, studs, roofing tiles, ceilings, plumbing, built-in furniture, and, ill fact, everything above foundation level. The scheme is illustrated with a model of a house and a good collection ot plans and photographs showing its versatility. Modern Dairy Factory Another thesis, by A. R. Garry, is a design for a dairy factory, of which a fine model is shown. The building diverges from ordinary New Zealand practice in having a flat roof, and the external proportions are most pleasing to the eye. W. Thorrold-J aggard presents a scheme for a civic centre for Palmerj ston North after the intended diversion I of the railway. The centre occupies an | area equal to that of The Square and situated between the latter and the present station. It contains law courts, an art gallery and museum, library. Government office block, assembly ball and municipal building. A detailed design for the last-named is shown. Wellington Government centre The structural exhibits include a project for a garage and motor showroom, and the blueprints indicate how different students have dealt with the problem of designing steel columns and roof trusses. .... , Another interesting display is of work done by two fourth-year students, K. \V. Douglas and C. F. Corne, toward the preparation of a model of the proposed Government centre at Wellington. The model, which is based on a design by the Director of Townplanning, Mr. J. W» Mtiwson* will be shown in the Centennial Exhibition. The Auckland Brick-makers' Prize, which this year is for a design for a small recreation centre, has _ been awarded to R. G. Mac Gown, With C. F. Corne second. The exhibition contains a wide variety of other work, from the first year onward. Due importance has been given to both historical and modern styles, and interior decorations, the lise of colour, sketching practice, and imaginative design all have a place. A new section is devoted to architectural photography and contains some excellent vacation work by students.