MEW METHOD OF BUILDING.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 14134, 14 February 1910, Page 6

MEW METHOD OF BUILDING.

CAMERATED CONCRETE. The new system of concrete building adopted in connection with tho promises now being erected for Messrs. Nolan and Co. by Mr. R. W. Bond at tho corner of Liardot Street and Gill Street, has aroused considerable interest locally. It is tho first building of its kind to bo constructed in New Plymouth, and is known as camerated concrete. The holder of tho New Zealand rights for tho system, Mr. H. L. Friend, has been spending a few days in town, and on Saturday afternoon a Herald reporter had a conversation with him concerning the process. It is practically the same a.s Edison’s patent, only instead of turning out all the buildings the same shape the camorated concrete can bo utilised for any stylo of building. Another big advantage it possesses is the hollow wall instead of solid. It is therefore absolutely damp propf—tho inner walls cannot possibly got wet under any circumstances. Tire walls are made in two thicknesses, each shell wall being 15 inch, and the cavity between them it usually about 5 inches wide, making an 8i inch wall over all. This is equal in strength, according to leading engineers all over Now Zealand, to a 14inch solid brick wall. Owing to the great saving of concrete—equal to about one-third—tho system naturally comes a great deal cheaper than tho solid work, ,aud tho strength of tho 8) inch camerated wall is equal, to a solid 5,. inch concrete wall. Then it can be reinforced to any extent with wire or upright stool bars, making it almost double tho strength again. The system Has been in vogue a little over twelve mouths in New Zealand, and during this time contracts have been signed and buildings have been erected or are now in course of erection of a value of £60,000. All architects who have used the system recommend it in every way for any class or, kind of building. Camerated concrete has been used in New Zealand, for private dwelling houses and cottages, churches, halls, abattoirs, creameries, bacon factories, dairy factories, fire brigade stations, stables,’etc. • It has also,been used iu an extension of buildings at the AVacrenga State Farm. It is in special favour with most, town and city councils, owing to its being fire proof, its cheapness, and durability. Naturally, . for house and cottage work tho cost may bo slightly higher than that of a wooden, building, yet within • two or throe years the difference is more than made up in the saving effected, in insurance and upkeep. In one largo centre prices have just heeri given for twenty cottages, the contract working out at about £2OO for each cottage of four rooms. , The outside walls of the buildings can bo treated in various ways, either rough cast, imitation brick,- stone, granite, or pure cement finish, all_ very cheap methods, owing to. the straightness and smoothness of the concrete. The inside can bo finished with a “skim” coat of finish, and in houses can be papered within one week of the finishing coat being applied. ’ Window and door frames are set in ns in brickwork,. and arc fastened to plugs lot into the walls as they are being erected. Mr.'Frienu considers that the Taranaki district is specially favoured _ for this system, as shingle can be obtained in abundance everywhere, and can be delivered at very cheap rates. Mr. J. W. Wilson is the local agent for camcrated concrete.