More Buildings For College

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31081, 9 June 1966, Page 11

More Buildings For College

Extensive but temporary additions to the Christchurch Teachers’ College wil be made in the next few months to accommodate students and staff whose number has increased four times since the present facilities were provided. Quick, economical and recoverable forms of construction have been chosen because the college is committed to eventual total transfer to Ham and because the proposed Hagley Park motorway would run through the present college block. The building planned includes a new gymnasium for the whole college, a new assembly room-common room, kitchen, and staff studies unit for the secondary department, and a re-sited general staff common room with mezzanine floor.

The gymnasium will be between the present college hall and Park terrace near the middle of the residential block in which the college has taken over several properties.

Tilt-Up Wails

“Tilt-up” construction will be used. On a poured concrete floor 80ft by 45ft, wall panels 12ft 6in high and lift 6in wide will be cast and then lifted to vertical position between the steel portal frames which will brace the walls and support the roof. Above these panels will be about 4ft of glazing. A timber floor will be laid over the concrete. When not wanted by the college, the whole building except the concrete floor slab can be recovered and re-erec-ted elsewhere.

Diagonally opposite the original college building the new amenities for the secondary department will be erected in the quadrangle of Cranmer College. The contract has been let and work will start soon.

The assembly hall will be

48ft by 40ft and also used as a students’ common roomFour lecturers’ studies will be attached. This temporary building will be sheathed in a variety of ribbed and flat asbestos sheeting and there will be a long-run metal roof. This building also will be capable of being dismantled. Within the main college building, the transfer of the library to new quarters has made possible the creation of a new staff room and administrative accommodation. At the north end of the first floor on Montreal street a lecture room will be converted for staff and additional space will be provided by the mezzanine floor forming a gallery. At the main entrance, remodelled offices for the principal, and secretarial staff will be provided without interfering with the old Gothic arches.