THE PLACE OF THE ARCHITECT

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19460, 27 December 1934, Page 6

THE PLACE OF THE ARCHITECT

« The Royal Institution of British Architects, whose handsome new premises in Portland Place, London, were opened by the King and Queen, celebrates its centenary in a year that sees the face of England changing rapidly,” comments the Manchester Guardian. “ On the one hand we are setting out to undo some of the damage done in the industrial revolution when the mean streets of our cities were multiplied and were left to us as a legacy of slums that must be cleared. On the other hand our activities are less admirable, for, disregarding the warnings of the-town and country planning experts, we tend to make our escape from the cities no more than a means of spoiling the rural scene.

“ The King touched significantly on both these problems in his speech, reminding the professional men to whom he spoke of the opportunity and responsibility attached to putting up the smallest as well as the largest buildings, and reminding a wider public of the destruction to amenity that comes of undisciplined building in line scenery. In Portland Place lie was preaching to the converted. But the architect, however exacting the charter of his institute may he in its demands on him, and however sound his taste in designing the right building for the right place and purpose, can do little in the face of public apathy.

“ Too often in the design of new housing estates he is not even consulted by local authorities who should know better. It will he not the least valuable feature of the ceremony if it serves as a reminder that the Royal Institution of British Architects have a, great store of professional skill to offer, and that it is as reckless to! do without an architect for building as without a lawyer in court or a doctor in the sickroom.”