N.Z. RESEARCH ON BUILDING

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28262, 27 April 1957, Page 13

N.Z. RESEARCH ON BUILDING

British Architect Urges Extension

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, April 26. New Zealand architects were somewhat handicapped by the lack of research facilities, said the president of the Royal Institute of British Architects (Mr K. M. B. Cross) today, when advocating the establishment of a department or building research. Mr Cross was speaking at a reception, given to him and the secretary of the institute (Mr C. D Spragg) by the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr S. W Smith). Mr Cross suggested that New Zealand could weH take a look at the architectural research setup in England, where a number of research stations operated. Although he had been in New Zealand for only a short time, he had formed a definite impression that such an organisation would be helpful, not only to architects, but to builders. It would help to improve their knowledge of materials, design and building standards.

The dfcief purpose of the visit was to strengthen the bonds of friendship between architects in England and New Zealand, said Mr Cross.

“We would like to see an architect who qualified in New Zealand able to practice in London, if he wished to do so,” said Mr Cross. “At present, he could not. He would have to take a further examination.”

The reverse also applied, and the institute would like to see British architects able to practice in New Zealand. It was obvious that they could not do so straight away, because they lacked local knowledge of earthquakes and so on.

From New Zealand, Messrs Cross and Spragg will fly to North America to attend the bicentenary of the Canadian Institute of Architects and the centenary of the American Institute of Architects.

Mr C. Muston wiH represent New Zealand architects at the two celebrations.