GREATEST OF ALL ARTS

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12298, 18 November 1925, Page 6

GREATEST OF ALL ARTS

COMMERCE AND ARCHITECTURE “INSEPARABLY BOUND,”-SAYS PROF. KNIGHT "ERA OF CITY BUILDING” Architecture and commerce are inseparably bound, and the motive behind all modern .structures _is the commercial instinct, ever striving to make better conditions for industry and trade, and • incidentally, more profit. Such is the expressed opinion of Professor C. R. Knight, of the Auckland University School of Architecture, who addressed members of the Rotary Club yesterday. Architecture, he contended, was a work ,of art, and. the greatest of all arts, because it involved more of the utilitarian than did others. At one time naval and military dominance were the recognised saviour of the commercial world. To-day the position had been reversed, and these great forces were reliant upon the success of commerce, while the world over the object of the architect was to make commercial things function better than hitherto. THE CLASSIC EXAMPLE As an instance of his contention, Professor Knight dwelt upon the classio example, Fifth Avenue, New York, which had during the past quarter of a century been transformed from an essentially . residential street to a mighty commercial thoroughfare. The aim of those responsible for the erection of the Woolworth building, well known as the highest edifice in the world, was to secure the maximum amount of floor space, and also to erect something spectacular, which would attract the attention of the world. This building was recognised by architects as the greatest commercial building in the world. ' On account of the consequent con* gestion of street traffic, however, a restriction had to be placed upon the height of these structures. This was the era of city building—and the era of commerce—and it was encumbent upon the commercial interests to analyse the relations between those of architecture and their own, so that the facilities which this young country afforded in this direction could be utilised to the fullest advantage. ‘‘You may escape the doctor or the dentist,” he said, “but you cannot get away from architecture. It is always with you.” The speaker was accorded a vote of thanlu.