STUDENT ARCHITECTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24103, 23 October 1941, Page 11

STUDENT ARCHITECTS

FUTURE IN COMMUNITY EXHIBITION OF WORK Evidence of industry, skill and imagination on the part of all the exhibitors was emphasised, yesterday by speakers at the opening of the annual exhibition of work of students of Auckland University College School of Architecture. The opening ceremony was performed by Mr. H. L. Massey, president of the New Zealand Institute of Architects.

The president nf rhe college. Mr. W. H. Coeker, said tlie closest co-opera-tion should exist between the school of architecture and members of the profession. The university was primarily intended for pure learning; vocational training was not. at first sight, a job for the college. Exception was made, however, in the case cf the professions, as the exercise of a profession depended largely oil a standard of conduct without which it could not he faithfully pursued. "Some time ago 1 stood on this same platform at the opening of a display of entries in the contest for the design of a new Anglican cathedral in Auckland," said the Mayor of Auckland, Mr. J. A. C. Allum, "and it was gratifying to know that those who came high in the competition passed through the Auckland school." He was not very proud of New Zealand buildings, even the newest, but the community was still young, and the school was doing good work in improving the standard.

Professor C. R. Knight. Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Professor of Architecture at the college, expressed the hope that it would be the school's privilege to play a biy; part in the future moulding of cities. He said that over oil architectural students of the school, which had been in existence only since ' I!>•_'(). were serving with the forces.

Before declaring the exhibition open. Mr. M assev said the work of Auckland students in architecture would stand up to any criticism. War and threats of war always acted as an interruption to professional studies and practices, and students of architecture found themselves profoundly affected. For the time being, defence and factory construction would take the place of buildings such as offices and theatres, which would spell uncertainty for architects. Referring to housing construction, be said they had no slums now. and it was the architects' responsibility to see that they had none in the future. .... The exhibition, which is in the University College hall, will remain open until noon on Saturday.