The Auckland Architectural Students' Association

Progress, Volume X, Issue 3, 1 November 1914, Page 90

The Auckland Architectural Students' Association

First Subject set by F. N. Bamford, Esq., A.R.1.8.A., Visitor-in-charge.

The Auckland Student's Association is not to be a club in name only. The members have asked different architects to act as "Visiting Architects"

“A” SUBJECT General.—lt is supposed that the New Zealand Government has decided to erect a public Bath House in a thermal district. The site chosen is at the back of a lofty hill covered with scrub, with a heavy planting of pine trees about the foot. The spring from which the supply will be obtained is at the foot of a small rocky spur about sixty feet above the site.

whose duties shall be to set a subject for students to work at.

The first "Visitor" is Mr. F. N. Bamford A.R.I. 8.A., and he set two subjects, viz. (A) "An Open Air Swimming Bath in a Thermal District" (problem in design) and (B) "Some Architectural Feature to mark the Source of the above."

Ten designs were submitted viz: — 6 for "A" subject and 4 for "B" subject. We illustrate the two first of "A" subject, and the third mention of "B" subject, (there being no first or second).

Site & Dimensions. —The site is a natural terrace 25 feet above the park level and roughly 150 feet long. At the rear of the terrace the ground rises sharply at an angle of 45 degrees. It is suggested that the overflow from the bath should find outlets in front of an open pond or ponds. The approach is from the centre of the town through the park, and it is required that the approach and the terracing and intermediate surroundings of the bath house should form part of the design.

The building may take any form desired but must contain or have as part of the general scheme:— (a) An open swimming pool not less than 20 feet x 40 feet. (b) Dressing rooms for 50 bathers, (c) Two lounges where bathers may rest and cool, (d) Attendant’s room and small office. A spacious loggia is also required across at least some portion of the front. Drawings required (to be £ inch scale) as follows :—Ground plan showing layout. Two sections. Sufficient elevations to explain the scheme. Also | inch detail of some portion of the building. The whole of the work to be in stone. “B ” SUBJECT — “ Some Architectural Feature to mark the Source of Above.” It is suggested that this should take the form of a simple pavilion containing a drinking fountain. Drawings required (to I inch scale) as follows.— Ground plan showing approach. One section. One elevation. Also a £ inch detail of some portion of the design. The visitor in charge reported as follows: “A” SUBJECT “The subject of an open air bath and its approaches was given with the idea of affording the students an opportunity of dealing with composition and expression of character in a somewhat broader manner than usual. Only an outline of the requirements was given, as it was desired that the students should approach the subject with open minds and by assembling each his own elements, give that distinctive character to his design, for which the subject gives so great an opportunity. The most serious fault in the designs submitted was a general disregard of the fact that the bath was to be an open air one and that any elaboration of roofs to the covered portions must result in loss to its principal characteristic. The draughtsmanship was in may cases excellent and the rendering effective. “B” SUBJECT In order that the students should be working in unison, a portion of “A” subject was set as a “B” subject. The work in this case was satisfactory as although the opportunities afforded by the site were not made the most of, yet the work sent in was in each case a useful exercise in Architectural design. F. N. Bamford A.R.1.8.A., Visitor in charge.”