THE HOUSE OF TO-MORROW

Evening Star, Issue 21744, 12 June 1934, Page 2

THE HOUSE OF TO-MORROW

LIKE A BEAUTIFUL MACHINE (Loudon ‘ Observer.’) “ The house is a machine for living in,” remarked Corbusier, the famous French architect, and, though this may seem utterly opposed to the Englishman’s traditional idea of home, there is no doubt that the scientific spirit has attacked the home so that all its parts—floors, walls, roof, and even furniture—are now in the scientific cru-cible-subject to question, dissection, analysis, and mathematical calculation (says the London ‘ Observer ’). For instance, the wall is ceasing to be a wall. Once upon a time it was a thick vertical element that supported floors and roofs; now it is becoming a thin integument—like a skin—stretched between steel or concrete framing. Scientifically, it may be as thin as glass, providing it keeps in the warmth and keeps out the cold, the rain, and the noise. THE NOISE PROBLEM. But there is the rub; as our buildings get thinner and thinner our streets get noisier and noisier, and one would have realised the acuteness of this problem last Friday when a demonstration of soundproof construction—including a “ noise baffling ” window—was given at the new premises of the Incorporated Asso-. ciation of ■ Architects and Surveyors. Grosvenor place, S.AV.I. How to keep out the noise and let in the sunlight and air is perhaps the most difficult problem of the modern architect. There are several kinds of “ noise baffling ” window now on the market—some of fairly good, some rather bad, none perfect, though the inventor of this particular window, Mr E. T, Fisk, A.M.1.E., claims that when open it eliminates 75 per cent, of street noises. But its effectiveness depends largely upon a series of short lowered blinds of canvas which, though absorbing the sound, obstruct the view.' And besides street noises there are the noises carried from one room to another or from one floor to another. Our materials of steel and concrete, glass and brick, could easily be cut down by half—they would still be strong enough. It is noise, and noise only, that still remains the unconquerable factor—though tremendous advances have recently been made in the use of moler brick and hollow tile, cork slabs, and sound absorbing boards for both walls and floors. Still, these cost money ; and, if it were not for noise, our buildings—scientifically calculated —could be built for much less than they cost now. What_ of the future? In twenty years’ time—as I see it—this scientific urge for economy will carry us on to thinner and thinner . buildings; but buildings scientifically proofed against noise and cold. Suddenly someone will invent a new walling material impervious to heat and cold arid sound—perhaps a. new metal alloy, or a new kind of glass, clear and obscure. Then the real revolution in building will have begun. Then, virtually, we shall bo able to lire (be open-air life within doors.