HIGH BUILDINGS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1775, 13 June 1913, Page 6

HIGH BUILDINGS.

LESSONS FROM AMERICA,

ADVANTAGES OF STEEL.

Mr. Burcham Clamp, tho well-known Sydney architect, who returned last week from a tour of the world, visited all the principal American cities, for tho purpose of studying the latest and most up-to-date methods of building construction. "I was very much impressed," he said to a "Telegraph" reporter, "with tho steel-constructed buildings, tho amount of spaco they provide, the rapidity with which the buildings are erected, and tho strength of tho structures. The "Woolworth building, which is 55 stories high, reaches 7Soft. into tho air. . But really. it is a misnomer to call this a 55-storied building,'as tho main structure is only 30 stories, the other portion being in the form of a tower, which rises tho extra height. Still, the SO-storied portion is 350 ft. high. The architectural treatment tho building has received is magnificent. I found the Americans quite up to date. Tho uso of steel is general. That is different to Sydney, which Seems to bo the only place in the world bshind in this respect. The benefits derived from tho use of steel in constructional work is to bo seen in the mammoth skyscrapertils AVoolworth buildings—which has walls only 30in. ill thickness. If a building of 20 stories was being put up in Sydney it would bo necessary, under the present out-of-date building regulations, to have walls Gft. thick. So you will see that not only is the steel wall a great saving in material, but in frontages, and in a locality like the heart of Sydney that is a very important item, especially where land is worth about *£1000 per loot. "from what I have seen, especially in the United Slate?, X think that in streets like Moore Street, Alacquarie Street, Oxford Street, and on prominent corners, there can be no objection to tho erection of buildings up to 250 and even 300 feet in 'height. My reasons are these: Sydney is naturally situated, liko New York, on a peninsula, so that enables business to bo moro concentrated. It is different .to London, where you have to spend about half a day to get from ons end of the city to ■ the other. The banking section is at ono end and the shipping at tho other, whereas in New York th» whole thing is centralised. These high buildings I am of are made,practically fireproof. They are only occupied in the daytime, and are fitted up with tanks, into which water is automatically pumped in case of a fir* occurring, and acts asa reserve. This gets over any objections that might be raised by the fire authorities, and, provided sufficient means of escape are afforded, there is absolutely no risk'to lifo in the event of fire. In tho modern buildings everything in tho shape of internal partitions, floors, and. even the doors, are constructed of fire-resisting materials. Some aro even provided with steel doors. What is there to burn? Yolii havo your walls, ceiling, and floors fireproof. To make security doubly sure, these buildings are also provided with the sprinker system, and all havo outside fire escape stairways. Not only are modern buildings being constructed on this .principle in America, . but . practically ' throughout the world. Even in Colombo, tho way modern building is progressing astonished me. All these high buildings are beautifully furnished and fitted up, and finished olf with marble-lined walls. "I was. also very much impressed with the splendid office Hats find acconiroodation provided.' Thfy aro most beautifully finished internally. In these, apartment houses and flats tho sitting-rooms>aro sa arranged that, by. simply turning' a handle they can be converted into, a bed- | room, a collapsible bed being concealed by folding doors. I was very pleased with the hotel accommodation of tlitf American hotels. Every modem placa has its bath, bedroom, and lavatory, en suite. Tho telephone is connected to everv bedroom and "\rith tiie exchftnft#. Ice water is laid on as well as warming apparatus,-electricity, and every possible comfort. Then there are the penny-m the-slot machines in tho cafes and shops. All classes of articles can be obtained in this way-a sandwich, glass of m,l \V or even an egg-flip. I went through all the largest departmental stores m all the countries I visited, and I am qu.ito satisfied that the modern departmental stores in Sydney are quite as up-to-date as any to be found, f was shown through the different banks of. San Francisco, which have been rebuilt since the fire and earthquake. Great progress has been made towards the rebuilding of tho city, ,m anticipation of the 1915 .opposition, CMinection with the opening of tho Panama C Mr!" Clamp Was also 6track with tho beauty of Pasadena, with its magnificent residences, with no fences, and houses erected on land worth a thousand dollars a foot in the suburban area. He met Jfr. W. 13. Griffin, the prize-winner for the Federal capital design, in ph lc ?P>: and was entertained by the president of the American Institute of Architects. Referring'to the watering places abroad, Mr. Clamp said that at Bour^r 01 S} ) ' fl Jjo England, the ■ authorities spent ner annum' to provide entertainment for tho public, and he is of the opinion that if the different municipalities controllin ß our beach Tesorts were to send representatives to such places they would see how to develop their advantages, and it would well repay the municipalities concerned.