SECTIONS AND HOUSES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 100, 30 April 1938, Page 15

SECTIONS AND HOUSES

THE HOME-SEEKER’S PROBLEM

Plenty of folk, about to marry or already married, spend much time in searches for suitable sections. “It is better to consult an architect before the land is bought," remarks a contributor to the South African “Ratepayer." “Any architect will tell you that the first essential to be borne in mind in settling on the type of house one is going to build is to make its design suit its environment. If, therefore, the design is already planned, then it is wise to look around until one can find a piece of land on which the house will look right. Many an otherwise nice house is spoilt by being placed in surroundings completely unsuited to its style of architecture. If the ground has any wellestablished trees on it, it is worth a lot of thought to keep as many of them as possible. It does seem silly to cut down all the trees before building, and then, when the house is finished, spend time and money in coaxing others to grow in their places. But it is the common procedure in this country, more especially where whole estates are being laid out. “Then comes the question of the kind of soil on which the house is to stand. Many people ignore this matter altogether—to their ultimate cost, for there are some soils that are death traps to some people. It is not a myth, for instance, to say that clay does not suit everyone.

“There is the question, too, of the aspect of the house. From the point of view of the comfort of the inmates there is definitely a ‘right’ and a

‘wrong’ side of most roads on which to build. Readers’ opinions on this may differ but it always seems to me vital that every room in the house should get the sun at some time or other during the day. I hate a house that has such closed-in verandahs that the sun never reaches the rooms. And quite definitely the kitchen, bathroom and living room should get the morning sun.”