Efficiency in Building
The visit to New Zealand of the president of the Royal Institute of British Architects (Mr Kenneth Cross) and the secretary (Mr C. D. Spragg) should leave lasting benefits. New Zealand architects must have been stimulated by meeting these officers, but their observations in New Zealand have a community value, too. The building and construction industry plays so large a part in the New Zealand economy that only the highest attainable standards of efficiency can be afforded. Mr Cross and Mr Spragg have pointed out two ways in which efficiency can be increased—first, by providing greater
opportunities for architects to study their profession, and second, by establishing a building research institute. Though neither project is new, the interest shown by the visitors should hasten action to introduce these improvements. Not all potential students of architecture are willing or able to go to the only university school in Auckland. At the same time New Zealand’s needs of trained men are such that a second school is probably justified
now. It has been suggested that the new school should be at Wellington, which would, no doubt, be convenient for government departments. The case that could be made for associating it with the School of Engineering at Canterbury University College also deserves consideration. As for a research organisation, it is surprising that so large and complex an industry has not already moved further in this direction than the tentative decision of the National Housing Conference in 1953, when the scope and need were generally recognised. Government departments have done research in various fields; but they have lacked coordination, or any intimate
connexion with the many individuals and companies engaged in construction. If all sections of the industry share in the cost and administration, research can be turned in the most useful directions and its results will be better appreciated by those who can apply them. Better design, lower costs, and greater satisfaction to the industry’s customers should be attainable objectives.
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Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28266, 2 May 1957, Page 10
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330Efficiency in Building Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28266, 2 May 1957, Page 10
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