Testing the Young Architect.

Progress, Volume V, Issue 12, 1 October 1910, Page 26

Testing the Young Architect.

Admission to the A.R.1.8.A,

Advantages of that Institution. Paper read by Mr. R. Newton Vanes, A.R.1.8.A.. in continuation of one by Mr. B. B. Hooper, A.R.1.8.A., on Monday evening, the 19th Sept.. at a meeting of the Otago branch of the New Zealand Institute of Architects. Paper on the R.1.8.A. (continuation of Mr. B. B. Hooper's.) These examinations are held in June and November of every year, and consist of written papers followed by a viva voce. There are three grades, the first or preliminary being purely or general subjects and about on a par with our New Zealand matrie. The object of this examination is (and rightly so, too) to keep all who have not had a fair education out of the profession. Students who have matriculated in any British University and have South Kensington certificates for perspective and geometry may get exemption from this examination, and are elected straight away as probationers. Having once got over the first stumbling block, the aspiring young architect settles down, to prepare what are called the testimonies of study for the intermediate examination. These consist of nine sheets of half double elephant, three being devoted to classic subjects, three to Gothic (preferably measured and drawn from good existing examples of mediaeval work), one of proof construction, one of floors (wooden and fireproof), and the ninth on joinery details. Tlie examination lasts for two days, and embraces the following subjects: — 1. Classic architecture. 2. Mediaeval. 3. Renaissance. 4. General History of architecture. 5. Theoretical construction, stresses and strains. 6. Geometry. 7. Applied construction. Any probationer who has attained the age of 19 years, and from whom the necessary entrance fee of three guineas is forthcoming, may sit for the examination. Although the subjects are treated in a somewhat elementary manner^ a good deal of hard "swat" and solid application are required before one can hope to get through, and a pretty high standard must be attained in all subjects. A much more serious affair is the final. As in the intermediate, testimonies of studies of a high standard of proficiency have to be submitted before a student is allowed to sit. These consist of a study

of ornament shaded, full working drawings and perspective of an original design for a building such as a villa, school, cottage, or hospital, etc. Measured drawings of some historical building, one sheet of diagrams of constructive masonry, and a steel roof truss of not less than 40ft. span fully calculated and worked out. He is also expected to show his sketch book, which counts considerably in his favour if he has studied abroad, say in Prance or Italy. The written part of the examination lasts for five days, and a few days later comes the oral. No one knows, I'm sure, what utter nonsense it is possible to put on an examination paper until one has one's own, duly corrected and profusely scored, placed before one, with an irate examiner asking what the deuce is meant by such and such. If a candidate is fortunate to be timed for immediately after lunch, and that meal has been quite satisfactory, so far as the examiner is concerned, then he may hope for as pleasant an interview as one could reasonably expect on such an occasion. Otherwise the somewhat galling process colloquially known as "leg pulling" is carried on to a marked degree. Each subject taken by itself is not tremendously hard, but the trouble is, to have all subjects at one's finger ends at the same time. And this is necessary — there is no time to ruminate. The following are the subjects: — 1. Design. 2. Principles of architecture, their theory and application and a written thesis. 3. Nature and property of building materials. 4. Sanitation, ventilation, heating, lighting, and hygiene. 5. Specifications and estimating. 6. General construction and details. 7. Construction in iron and steel, showing underpinning and calculations. The year I sat the design subject was a country church, to seat 500, the drawings to consist of Vfein. scale plan, west elevation, north elevation, east elevation, cross section, longitudinal section, half-inch detail of west front, and perspective, for which we had 13 hours. In last year's June examination, candidates had to get through the following little order in three hours: — General clauses of contract for small Town Hall, as far as protection of building owner, contractor and architect are concerned. Specification for banking premises in trades of bricklayer, carpenter, joiner and plasterer. Specification in detail for fitting and finishing for bathroom and w.c, of first-class house, and two other questions equally interesting, but much too long to record here. The above should give you a fair idea of the examinations. The average number of candidates to pass the final is 33 per cent., so that. one-third -of the candidates

sit three times. Having passed, one is privileged to pay the Institute 2 guineas per year, and attach the imposing handle of A.R.1.8.A. to his name! Before leaving this part of the paper I must refer to the special examination. This is the same as the final, except that the testimonies of study required are not quite as comprehensive as for the final. Further, it is confined to architects who have been in practice and have attained the age of 25, and to chief assistants of 30 years or over. Candidates who are eligible for the special are not required to sit for the preliminary or intermediate. I don't know if it is generally known that once a year in Sydney and Melbourne the Institute holds an exam, for colonials, which for all intents and purposes is run on the same lines as the special, so that to attach the aforementioned handle it is not absolutely necessary to go to London, though, let me add, highly desirable from an educational point of view. But, you will say, what is the use of all this. Well, in the first place, it makes pupils and students get a thorough grasp of the fundamental principles of construction — principles, that in the ordinary routine of office work would probably never be understood. Secondly, it forces them to study good examples of existing work, and the styles of their own and other countries, and so they obtain a good and solid framework on which to build their own individuality of design. In a word, it makes them study, and so indirectly drives home the lesson that to do anything at all in architecture, one must work. Thirdly, it gives each architect a professional standing, and places him on a footing with other professional men — a footing which New Zealand architects can never attain until we bring in registration and teach the public to look on a "quack" architect in the same light as a "quack" doctor. But its work is also to help the profession collectively. Let me cite a few particular examples, examples, I think, that might be followed by the New Zealand Institute. In the first place, it has laid down a standard size of brick. This seems trivial at first consideration, but it is a great boon to architects. London brickwork all runs four courses to the foot ; see how this facilitates half -inch detailing. If you are up 56ft. 9in., you know perfectly well that you are exactly at a course, and that it is the 227 th, and the heights of the quoins, cornices, and strings can be set out immediately. Besides, it prevents pressed bricks being made in such a way that to bond them with wire cuts, one has either to abolish the mortar at the back of the wall, or resort to joints an inch thick on the face. Secondly, the Institute lays down regulations for competitions, and advises its ( members if these are in any way unfair." Thus, promoters of competition's do not calmly violate the lawß of the Institute.

'Their first clause is as follows: — "The promoters of an intended Competition should as a first step appoint one or more professional assessors, Architects of established reputation." This assures the best design and not the most catchy drawing being placed first. The design that can be erected for the money stipulated has also a more reasonable chance of acceptance. Committees are from time to time appointed to investigate any topic of moment. There's a very valuable report has been issued by the Institute on ferroconcrete. Tests are taken on particular building materials and the results published. A journal is issued about every fortnight giving particulars of the meetings of the Institute, and containing valuable papers on art, construction, and all topics of interest, and of an instructive character to the profession. All this literature is sent post free to the members. A book is kept at the Institute's rooms, in which all assistants desiring of new situations may register their names, ages, and qualifications, so that architects requiring immediate assistance can get the names of half-a-dozen suitable men without any delay. These are but a few of the advantages that the Institute gives the profession, jotted down somewhat haphazard, and as a discussion will probably interest members much more than listening to a paper on a subject that may not be of special interest to them, T will draw these somewhat rambling remarks to a close.