Building Notes.

Progress, Volume XVI, Issue 12, 1 August 1921, Page 284

Building Notes.

AUCKLAND. The architects who won the recent Competition for a new Arts Building for the Auckland University—Messrs. Lippincott and Billson, of Melbournearrived in Auckland early this month to discuss the matter with the College Council. The Chairman of the Council, the Hon. George Fowlds, stated that members of the Council were of opinion that the common rooms should be taken out of the main building, and accommodation provided in another block, with separate entrances for men and women students. The architects were asked to prepare sketch plans to provide philosophy class-room accommodation to take the place of common rooms in the original plan. The question of the lighting of the class-rooms in the wings was referred to by Dr. T. W. Leys. The architects stated that the same principle of high lighting, as shown in the plan, had been adopted in Melbourne buildings with great success, and they were of opinion that the provision made would prove ample. The lighting in the vestibule was also discussed, and members satisfied that every means would be taken to provide sufficient light for the two adjacent professorial rooms. The suggested removal of the eight central pillars beneath the tower was srongly opposed by the architects, their views being supported by the Council. It was agreed that a gallery should be added to the interior design in order to give extra music-room accommodation. The location of the building was discussed, and it was decided that it should be erected as far to the south in Alfred Street as deemed desirable by the architects, regardless of existing buildings. The fact that a certain amount of, adverse criticism had been levelled at the design accepted by the University College Council for the new Arts Building, was mentioned by Professor H. W. Segar to the architects, Messrs. Lippincott and Billson, who were present at the meeting of the Council. It had been contended that from an artistic viewpoint, the central tower was too ornate by comparison with the plainness of the wings, said, the professor, that the wings offered too great an extent of unbroken skyline, and that the buttresses at either end were too plain. Mr. Lippincott replied that he and his colleague were quite satisfied with the unity of the design, and could see no possibility of alteration. He explained that the idea of the whole design had been to work up to the tower as the culminating feature, symbolic of the spiritual aspect of university ideals. In any such design, it was necessary to have contrast; all ornamentation had been concentrated in the tower, the plainness and simplicity of the wings leading up to the full beauv of the decorative scheme of the central feature. This idea was the keynote of many magnificent buildings on the Continent, particularly in Spain, where a perfectly plain stretch of architecture would be balanced by an exquisitely wrought doorway, or some similar feature. The plainness of the buttresses was all in keeping with the unity of design, and the architects would be. very loath to make the wings more ornate than shown in the design. At a later meeting of the Board the auestion of material to be used was discussed, but no decision arrived at. An illustration of the design appeared in our last month’s issue. A new church is being erected at Onehunga (St. Peter’s), the foundation stone having been laid early last month. •< A _ scheme for*the erection of a block of flats on a vacant section near the top of Shortland Street embodies the original idea of the tenants being their own landlords (savs the Herald, ). The proposal is for the owners to take up shares according to the value of the flat they

will occupy, and a fair proportion of the flats have already been booked on this basis. The flats will be about the same size, but a higher value is put on those which will face the harbour than on those which will not have this view. The building planned has six storeys. The design has a suggestion of the Gothic style, but otherwise is ot a simple character, embodying the latest ideas in lighting and ventilation. Indeed, each flat will have at least two balconies. The building will cover an area of 64ft. by 64ft. Messrs. McDonald, Mullions, and Sholto Smith, architects, are the designers. The sum of ,£4,000 has been donated for the building of a Methoidst Church in Remuera. The church will be built of brick and tile.

CHRISTCHURCH. Tenders are invited by Mr. Cecil Wood, A.R.1.13.A., for the erection of a new building for the Public Trust Office, closing on August 15th. The plans of the Concert Hall to adjoin the proposed new Municipal buildings on the Canterbury Hall site have been approved by die Special Committee, and, when passed by the Council, will be included in the loan proposals for the new block. Messrs. J. S. and M. J. Guthrie invited tenders last month for the new Boys’ High School buildings at Riccarton; also for Old Boys’ Memorial Arch. Messrs. Collins and Harman invited tenders recently for alterations and additions to School of engineering, Canterbury College. Messrs. England Bros, invited tenders early this month for the erection of a house at St. Martin’s. A new church (St. James) is to be erected at Lower Riccarton to take the place of the one recently burnt down. At a recent meeting the vestry decided that the foundation stone for a new church should be laid within two months. It was moved : — <l That arrangements can be made immediately to proceed with the erection of a permanent church; that this meeting is of the opinion that a more suitable site should be acquired for the said church ; that a committee be set up to give effect to the above resolution.”

The State Advances Office has advised the Christchurch City Council that when the present grant of £IO,OOO for the erection of homes for workers has been expended by the Council, an application for a further ,£5,000 will be submitted to the Board for consideration. The letter also states that the maximum amount granted in any one year to any one local body is £5,000.

NAPIER.

Messrs. Hyland and Phillips, of Hastings, invited tenders last month for a new building for the Public Trust Office, at the corner of Tennyson and Dalton Streets.

WELLINGTON.

. Sketch plans of the proposed new building for the Wellington Boys' College have been forwarded to the .education Department by the College Board of Governors. Provision is made in the sketch plans for an assembly hall and gymnasium block, headmaster's room and office block, starr rooms, etc., workshop and art block, three class-room blocks, small class-room block, connecting corridor to class-room blocks, lecture and cinematograph block, headmaster's house, dining and kitchen block, two house blocks, five fives courts, and laundry blocks. A contract has been let to Mr. F. Stacey for the erection of a new 1 echnical School in brick at Lower Hutt. The same firm is building the new Primary School at Muritai which will be finished shortly. Both buildings are being erected for the Wellington Education Board. Matters relating to the erection of the new Anglican Cathedral in Wellington were discussed by the Wellington Diocesan Synod. Ihe Cathedral Committee reported that the sum of £37,075 us. 2d. had been promised. After certain modifications had been effected, including a reduction in the size of the military chapel, the plans of the Cathedral had been approved by the Cathedral Committee, which recommended the adoption of the following resolution : That the Synod delegates all its powers in connection with the Cathedral to a Cathedral Committee, with express power : (1) To arrange with Mr. Peck (or, in the event of his death or incapacity, with any other architect) for carrying on the preparation of all necessary detail, working, and other plans, with power to arrange and authorise the payment of such remuneration as it thinks fit. (2) To decide when to begin building what portion of the Cathedral is to be built, and to arrange for and carry out contracts therefor. (3) To decide what steps are to be taken for raising funds, and to deal with moneys in hand or to be received. ' (4) Generally to have full power in connection with the Cathedral." Discussion on the motion was taken in Committee. On the resumption of the Synod in open session, it was reported that the resolutions attached to the report had been carried, with certain amendments.