HOUSES WITH ROOFS RIGHT TO GROUND

Chronicle (Levin), 8 May 1946, Page 3

HOUSES WITH ROOFS RIGHT TO GROUND

^ j -Press Association ]

j By Telegraph—

AUCKLAND, -May 7. j j 11' Ihe Auckland City Council's ; dtcisiou fo jtenuit a ncw type of con- { Htructioji knowu as "the slopiiig iuain1 I walls mcthod, " is takou ailvaiitage of' I by Auckland builders and aicliitects, an eutirely dillerent fonu of (lwelliugi | may make its appearance around Auck- i land shortly. It is claimed tluit tho ; new niethoii will elfect a saviug in wea- j ther lioarding wliicli is at present • ! ditlicult to obtain, by continuing tlio I pitcli of the roof in a straight 1 ino toi i the floor lcvel. It is proposed to make | Ihe roof setvc the dual purpose of roof; and wall, the ceilrng being formed j within this at the normal heiglit, with ' low dvvarf walls lower down. The couuci'l has already approved oue: building plau designed alotig tliese, liues and has indicated its willingncss ! to consider similar plans which may be j referred to it. "I understaud a local builder is proposiug to take out pa tent rights 011 this mctliod of constructioii, " said an Auckland arcliitect, " but 1 cannot see tliat there is anything ncw in the principle. It simply goes 'back to the oldest forms of building in England. The Japanese have used it, too, to give groater strength in areas subject to earthquake risk. Provided the two slopiug walls are carried right to the! ground-, there certainly is an added protection against earthquake. There may also be a saving in cost at present whe.11 weather boarding is so scarce and expensive, but tliat would depend on tho individual house plans. "