ARCHITECTS' CODE

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 36, 12 February 1931, Page 14

ARCHITECTS' CODE

TOWN PLANNING IDEAS

LETTER TO MR, FORBES

The New Zealand Institute of Architects at its annual meeting to-day discussed at considerable length in committee the question of rebuilding in tho earthquake area, and agreed to send the following letter to the Prime Minister:— "The New Zealand Institute of Architects assembled at its annual meeting extends to the sufferers in the national calamity in Hawkes Bay its profound sympathy. "Eealising the responsibility'"devolving upon the architects of the Dominion to safeguard the public in so far as is humanly possible from a similar future catastrophe the members have given the matter their earnest consideration, and offer the following suggestions:— "Firstly, that immediate consideration of the town planning aspects of rehabilitation proposals for devastated areas is of prime importance, and should be dealt with before any permanent rebuilding is permitted. To this end the expert town planning opinion available in the country should be utilised to the utmost, and, , *'Secondly, that whilst deprecating any sweeping condemnation of particular materials or systems of construction, wo stress the importance in all rebuilding operations of tho selection of that system most suitable to the particular work which may be in hand. Furthermore, any system so adopted should be oae of consistent character throughout the individual building, and, needless to say, not only designed according to recognised earthquake and fire resisting principles, but soundly and faithfully built. . "To further the above a committee of our members has been set up to make definite recommendations with regard to guiding principles and details of construction, and the possibility of the incorporation of these in a building code. The findings of this committee will be made available to the public. "You may not be aware that as early as 26th May, 1927, and again on 27th April, 1928, before either the Murchison or Hawkes Bay disasters, this instituto brought to the attention of the Government of the Day the necessity of the preparation of such a code, and offered its assistance in the preparation thereof. "Wo now renew this offer, and our committee will be happy to co-operate with the Government in the matter should you so desire. "Further, this institute will gladly render any further assistance which may be within its power."