AN ARCHITECT ABROAD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18468, 1 February 1922, Page 3

AN ARCHITECT ABROAD

MR J. H. WHITE’S DRAWINGS. On Monday evening members ol the Institute of Architects 'and the Students’ Association had the privilege of attending a private exhibition of architectural drawings executed in London by Mr J. H. _ White, A.R.1.-B.A. Mr White received his early training in the office of a Dunedin firm of architects, but has spent Ahe three years since the armistice in the _ study of design a t the 'Architectural School in London, which is recognised to bo the best finishing eohool in the British Empire. Having graduated out of this school at the conclusion of the five years’ course, Mr White has gone further in the way of education in architectural design; than anyone who has so far' come to New Zealand. By

achieving the distinction cf winning the Victory Scholarship and of being selected fob the final competition of the Prix de Rome, the two biggest Competitions for students, Mr White has given ample proof of his ability and perseverance. The drawings which were placed in these competitions, along with numerous others which have received mention, combine to. form an exhibition of peculiar interest to members of the profession, and of a standard such as has not previously been seen in New Zealand.

Mr Basil B. Hooper, president of the Students’ Association, in introducing Mr White, expressed his pleasure in welcoming back amongst them one who had been a prime mover in the formation of that association in, 1914;.'

Mr White proceeded to give a short description of the drawings, numbering in all about 30, starting with his earliest efforts, and explaining the conditions under which they were executed, and retailing in a frank manner any criticisms which .had been levelled against them by the juries of professors. The latest methods of rendering or finishing drawings in various media, as exemplified m certain of the plans, were painted out and the merits and demerits of the English and French Beaux Arts’ practice were discussed.

Outstanding amongst the drawings exhibited were three schemes of a scale hardly possible of realisation in this country. _ A design for a Central Institute of Scientific Aeronautical Research comprises a ground lay out of airship and aeroplane hangars, workshops, etc., covering over 10 acres. The subject of the prize-winning design for the Victory Scholarship was “A Royal Fine Arts School,” providing a common centre for the study of the four arts —architecture, sculpture, painting, and engraving. Four drawings were exhibited, two of these 'being on strainers Bft long.' Easily the most impressive piece of work was tho set of six drawings for the Rome Scholarship Preliminary Competition. These huge and finely worked up drawings represented the effort of three months. The subject was “A National Pantheon.” “A Town Church” was set for tho final competition, which was something of a speed test Eight large drawings, including a perspective, were designed. drawn, coloured, and m dun ted in two days each. Mr Mandbr.o, chairman of tho Otago Institute, in conveying a vote of thanks to Mr White for his interesting and instructive lecture, expressed the feeling of prido that he and his colleagues possessed in the fact that a Dunedin student should be able to wrest such important prizes from the ablest young men in England and all parts of the Empire in open competition, and extended him a very hearty welcome to Dunedin. Ho thought that it was due to them to provide for a public exhibition of these .drawings, and he hoped that this would be possible at an early date. Mr White, in replying, said he ’-’as tielighted to be back amongst old friends, and would be glad to extend any help possible to students in the prosecution of their studies in the extremely interesting and fascinating subject of architectural design.