WREN'S ARCHITECTURE

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 39, 16 February 1933, Page 12

WREN'S ARCHITECTURE

STOOD TEST OF TIME

Wren's architecture, which, he said, had stood the test of 300 years, was referred to by Mr. H. Mandeno, Dunedin, in his presidential address to the annual meeting of the New Zealand Institute of Architects last night. "Wren," he remarked, quoting from an article in the "Builder," "became supreme*' because he entered into the adventure of building with a catholic enthusiasm. He saw that to build and to design were part of the same process.' He saw that he could not control form without understanding structure, and that the structural problem became the justification for the design in which he delighted, in a process in which science and art danced a delightful pas deux. We venture to suggest that a little more reality and conviction might be imbued into the modern educational scheme, whereby the letter of tho syllabus might become the spirit of a philosophy out of which the genius should surely find vent for - his gifts. . "I think you will agree that this puts structure and design in correct ratio. My second extract is from the pen of Sir Edwin Lutyens. Sir Edwin says: 'There is something which we feel in studying the details of his work which it is not easy to express in words: there is a scale and rhythm, a feelinoof proportion and emphasis which is beyond the bearing of text-books— something akin to what is alone to be created by the painter of a great picture.' He continues: 'History shows that return is of more importance than blind adventure, and it is on the lines of intelligent evolution that the best service to the public can be rendered. The future will show the importance of the Wren tradition to all Englishmen. Posterity will wonder that intelligent opinion in the first half of the twentieth century should have wavered from a course so- clear.' At a time like this, when there is a determined revolt in many quarters against all that belongs to the past, should wo not all very seriously and humbly ponder on and try to assimilate something from this 'glorious Wren tradition.' "