RESEARCH ON BUILDING

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28263, 29 April 1957, Page 8

RESEARCH ON BUILDING

Station In N.Z. Suggested

The establishment of a building research station in New Zealand was a matter of national importance, said Mr Kenneth Cross, president of the Royal Institute of British Architects, in Christchurch last evening. The lifting of building restrictions had given architects and contractors an opportunity such as they had not had for years, he said, but the cost to the national economy could be excessive unless some steps were taken to correlate this with research. He had always relied heavily on the work of the British research station, said Mr Cross, and he felt that a similar establishment here could be of equal value to New Zealand architects and builders. The British station is staffed by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. Its work includes the testing of materials—their strength and durability—and consideration of methods, maintenance and transport. "To try to carry on here without such a station at the present stage of building expansion would be foolish in the extreme,’’ said Mr Cross.

Generally, where the height was compatible with the width of the street, he was in favour of tall buildings, said Mr Cross. This was recognised in Britain where the London County Council was able to grant, a waiver to building restrictions where it considered this warranted.

The concern over thel height of the tower of New Zealand House, to be built on a site in the Haymarket, was because it would affect the building line as seen from St. James’ Park. This dispute was now settled, and the tower was to be built.

Factory Buildings

Factory building in Britain had improved beyond measure over the last 20 years, said Mr C. D. Spragg, secretary of the institute, who is travelling with Mr Cross.

“This movement started before the war, but it has been most noticeable since then. Layout, setting and. 'general appearance have all improved. Many of the old factory buildings in Britain were designed by the firms’ staff engineers—the present improvement is due to the factory owners calling architects.’’

Mechanisation was becoming an important factor in heavy-building construction, said Mr Cross. This was shown in the standardisation of materials, design and layout.

“As a result the window-treat-ment, for example, is likely to be similar in many cases. But each building will maintain its individuality. After all standardisation of components goes back to the Egyptians, who invented bricks.”

Mr R. C. Muston, newly-elected president of the New Zealand Institute of Architects, is travelling with Mr Cross and Mr Spragg. who are here to strengthen the ties of the Dominion institution with the parent body in Britain. Today they will see some of the work of Christchurch architects, and be entertained by the Canterbury branch of the institute.