“A WALLED CITY”

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20086, 4 November 1939, Page 3

“A WALLED CITY”

EXHIBITION FEATURES ARCHITECT’S IDEA STANDARDISATION PLAN SAVING OF £40,000 (Spreial to tin 1 ITev.'iM.) WELLINGTON, this day. “The idea is that it is a walled city," was the way in which the Centennial Exhibition architect, Mr. Edmund Anscombe. described his planning in a phrase.

With his assistance, the Herald's representative was able to describe the whole lay-out of the Exhibition site ot (10 acres after months of labour had completely obliterated a great sanddune area, transforming it into a beautiful expanse whereon the landscape gardener had done wonders, and the architect had grouped imposing, though not gaudy, buildings in the most impressive fashion. View in Centennial Avenue The best exterior view of the Exhibition is got by standing at the Kingsford Smith entrance, and looking along the vista of 1700 ft. which is dominated at the back by the Exhibition tower. 155 ft. high. This is Centennial avenue, or as the architect planned it, the avenue of flags. From the centre branch oil' north and south broad boulevards leading to the sound shells. Thus is formed a gigantic cross of open spaces, covering seven acres and capable of taking a gathering of at least 100,000 people, which is a reasonable estimate of possibilities because B*l,ooo spectators attended on occasion the open-air attractions tit Dunedin Exhibition.

“We have to recognise that Wellington has its winds," said Mr. Anscombc, “so I have enclosed as large an area as possible to give protection from the weather. Either one sound shell or the other will provide sheltered conditions." Imposing Courts The first big building on the right, looking down this central avenue, is the Australian court with its immense plate-glass windows from ground lloor to roof. Facing it on the left is the equally imposing United Kingdom court, a complete exhibition in itself.

At the centre of the avenue on the cross-roads stands a splendid group ol statuary 26ft. high. There are three Maori figures in bronze depicting the sighting of New Zealand by Kupe.

Rows of pylons extend on both sides ot the avenue, carrying flag-poles on an angle, displaying multi-coloured streamers which brighten up the vista in daylight, and combine at night with the two tong reflecting pools lo enhance the effect of tlie special coloured lighting at flight. The five principal Exhibition buildings arc grouped together in an open courtyard of spacious dimensions., with the tower block as the central feature. This big enclosure gives further protection from the weather, and enables the visitor to enter all the principal sections except the amusement park ancl the Australian and British courts without going into the open.

Perpendicular lines of the lower in high relief carry coloured electric lights, which will be reflected for hundreds of yards in the pools in the middle of Centennial avenue. Over the entrance to the tower block is a magnificent sculptured frieze in low relief. This fine work, carried out by Mr. Trchewey, Christchurch, is 90ft. long and lift in depth, its figures depicting the whole human story of New Zealand development, from the coming of the Maori, right through all phases to the achievements of to-day

in agriculture and science. Modern Materials Although immense quantities of timber and galvanised iron have been used in the structures, there is noth* ing visible to suggest their temporary character, thanks to the modern fibrous building sheets which give so substantial an appearance and take paint so effectively. This material lends itself to good design, and, toned off in tight buff, gives a mass effect pleasing to the eye. All the road surfaces were treated with a penetration mixture in which was rolled brick chips—a dustless, non-glaring surface

adding its own note of colour to the general scheme. The biggest standardisation scheme ever applied to a building in the southern hemisphere has been carried out by the architect, who explained that every section of the Exhibition buildings is made up on a standard dimension of 30ft by ,30ft. “The contractors,” said Mr. Anscombc, "grasped this system so thoroughly that the roof trusses—there are over 1 800 in the building—were till made in the machine shop and were available for placing in position on any roof, without the carpenters having to use a saw. But for standardisation, the buildings probably would have cost, £30,000 to £IO.OOO more than the actual amount, which, including the interior lighting, is approximately £250,000.”

Exhibition design has been a professional hobby of Mr. Anscombc. whose experience goes back to the Melbourne Exhibition in 1889. He was actively concerned in the building of the Si. Louis World Fair, and the effective design of the Dunedin Exhiibtion was his work.