THE HARBOUR BRIDGE

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 972, 15 May 1930, Page 9

THE HARBOUR BRIDGE

ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS SHOULD COLLABORATE EXAMPLE FROM AMERICA “It is to be hoped that when the harbour bridge is built in Auckland, it will not be left solely to the cold, hard logic of an engineer, but that an architect or architects will be asked to collaborate to make it not only an engineering triumph, but also a beautiful structure,” said Mr. C. A. Trevithick in a lecture delivered under the auspices of the New Zealand Institute of Architects. “One cannot help being struck when one sees the stupendous engineering feats in the United States with the fact that it Is recognised that there is need for collaboration between the engineer and the architect in the design of bridges, dams, etc. I have used the word ‘collaboration’ because it is quite impossible for an architect to design the huge suspension bridges which one sees in many cities. They are masterpieces in engineering, and will always be recognised as such; but by collaborating with the architect in the clothing of the steel towers, or in the abutments and approaches, the whole has lost the hard, cold steel reasoning of the engineer and acquired a feeling of grandeur and proportion which is very fine, without in the least detracting from or depreciating the work of the engineer. “The bridge is still primarily a wonder in engineering, but has b.een without the help of an architect.” given a feeling impossible to attain