Conference of Education Board Architects

Progress, Volume XV, Issue 9, 1 May 1920, Page 790

Conference of Education Board Architects

Held at Wellington, March 24-sth, 1920. A conference of Board architects convened by the Canterbury Education Board met at the Education Board Office, Wellington, at 10 a.m., Wednesday, 24th March, 1920. All boards were represented. Present:— Messrs G. Penlington (Canterbury, Chairman); J. Farrell (Auckland); C. J. Dowland (Hawkes Bay); C. H. Moore (Taranaki); E. R. Hodge (Wanganui); A. McDougall (Wellington); A. H. Leaper (Nelson); J. Rodger (Otago): W. K McCaw (Southland). Mr. Forsyth, Chairman Wellington Education Board, welcomed the Delegates to this, the first conference of Board architects. He was sure that great benefit would result from this meeting of Board architects through conference and discussion on school building, practice and requirements. He looked forward with confidence to progressive improvement in school architecture. To this desirable end such meetings must appreciably contribute. On the invitation of the- conference, Mr. Spencer attended both days to discuss a number of important matters, and, as far as possible, to explain the views of the Department on the questions discussed.

Aspect—Lighting. In a discussion on the general aspect of the school, all delegates present were -of opinion that the N.e! to E. lighting is the best procurable and, therefore, gives the most satisfactory results. ' In this, connection was discussed the most suitable window for lighting and for thorough class-room ventilation. Cost. In considering the cost of construction of various types of schools, delegates gave estimates of cost in their particular districts, which showed a fairly wide range of cost. After hearing Mr. Spencer in the matter of standardisation, it was generally agreed that local conditions and size of buildings vary to such an extent that it is not possible to fix a standard. Water Supply. ' The matter of water supply was ' discussed at length. Preference was expressed for tanks both concrete (built above the surface) and the ordinary 400 gallon square tanks where no other supply is available. Filters were not considered as of any benefit unless under the supervision of the teachers and cleaned out at regular intervals. Building Maintenance and Construction. The question of day versus contract work was very fully discussed, and although the day work system is productive "of perhaps a better class of work, it was felt that it should not be encouraged where it was possible to .secure tenders as it led to a great deal of office work/buying and directing generally,

and the difficulty of procuring materials and labour caused the architect and his staff ,a great deal of work, while it was generally thought tnat all repair work should .be. carried out with the Board's own staff. The 10 per cent method of erecting buildings, etc., by contractors was looked upon as most unsatisfactory from every point of view. It was considered best that all buildings should be of one storey, except where the site is limited, and cannot be enlarged, or is on hilly ground. The basement could be used for play sheds, boiler rooms, etc. Assembly Halls. Mr. Hodge, of Wanganui, after exhibiting many photographs of various schools in the Wanganui district and photographs of the halls and the uses made thereof, read a very interesting paper on the uses of an assembly hall and the school building generally, which showed clearly the advantages gained, principally to the health, safety and convenience of the pupils by such an adjunct. The whole of the delegates approved of the principle, and it was decided to recommend to the Boards that the senior inspectors be asked to take steps to obtain assembly halls for all large schools. Size of Rooms. Regarding the size of classrooms, it was decided that class rooms for the most part should be 26ft. x 24ft. A diagram was presented by' Mr. Spencer showing a suitable desk arrangement for three class rooms. For infant departments class rooms might be built 30ft x 24ft. in conjunction with rooms of about 24ft. x 24ft. (with movable partition for assembly purposes). Corridors. It was decided that 10ft. be the minimum width for large schools, where hat and cloak rooms form part of the building. Open Air Schools—Ventilation. A paper on open air schools was read by Mr. Moore. The general opinion was that sashes in class rooms should be arranged to open up as much as possible to give the greatest amount of open space under suitable weather conditions. The two questions concerning the best methods of ventilating and lighting class rooms caused much discussion and it was agreed that the best ventilation obtainable was the cross system, although it was recognised that ceiling and Tobin tubes have considerable advantages. The lighting from the left is without question the best for class rooms, skylights not being favoured except as a means of improving rooms where the lighting is deficient. This applies more particularly to the older buildings. Retiring Rooms'and Offices. It was decided that every school of two; or more classrooms should have, an office for the use of the head teacher .and staff; that schools of four.and five

rooms should have one retiring room; that schools of more than five class rooms should have two retiring rooms, one being for men and the other for women Desks. . A paper was read by Mr. Penlington on the most suitable school desks and standardisation of same. After discussion it was agreed to defer the matter to some future conference. Painting. The painting and interior decorations of the schools and classrooms in particular was discussed. Several schemes of tinting were considered, and it was thought that the most suitable for interiors were certain shades of greens, cream and French gray, the ceilings in all cases to be a flat white. The outside of scnoois should be painted in tints most suitable 'for the climate. Rebuilding. Regarding the rebuilding of schools or residences, it was recommended that each case be decided on its merits. . When a second person is called in to report on the condition of a building the Board's architect siiould accompany him in the inspection. Artificial Heating of Schools. It was found that in the mild climatic conditions of the north, artificial heating is required for a short time only during the winter, but further south, especially in Southland and Otago, the heating has to be maintained for quite six month's of the' year. The conference came to the conclusion .that for large schools and especially those erected in brick or concrete, hot water heating of the "Ideal" or "Beeston" systems should be installed. For small country schools in the colder parts of the Dominion, where fuel is not plentiful, a slow combustion jacketted stove now used in Otago would be most satisfactory.' It was understood that the Department would not contribute, except by subsidy, to installation of heating systems in old buildings. Drying Rooms. In discussion, Mr. Spencer suggested that a radiator in the coak rooms would meet the requirements. The delegates considered this would not be sufficient, and that a specially arranged drying room would be necessary to meet the requirements. Cloak Rooms. It was decided that in the erection of large schools, provision be made in the plan for separate cloak rooms. V General. Other matters considered were, ,the question of the Boards holding a stock of building materials and special accounts in relation to same the purchase of materials grants for workshops the various delays in procuring grants from the Department for buildings; and also the provision of janitor's cottages for -the larger schools. The above items were discussed and various delegates gave valuable information con-

cerning the items, but nothing definite was arrived at, and* the matters are therefore deferred. The general opinion expressed by the delegates, was that tne conference had been of great educational value to the Board’s architects, and apart from the conference itself, the general discussions that took place both at tne sittings and after, were most interesting and instructive, it has brought the architects together for the first time, and there appears to be a brotherhood existing that was quite impossible outside of the conference. No professional jealousy has been displayed in any discussion or act, and there is no doubt that the various architects will consult one another on any subject in which they may be in doubt.

- Hearty votes of thanks were accorded to Mr. Penlington, the Chairman, and Mr. Spencer for attending the conference; to Messrs Penlington, Moore and Hodge for valuable papers; to the 'Wellington Education Board for use of Board room, etc.; and to Mr. McDougall, who,acted as secretary.

Subject to the consent of Boards, it was decided to hold the next conference at Wanganui, on or about this time next year. Mi;. Hodge undertook to make any arrangements necessary for rooms, etc., and the visiting of schools in his district. »