PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

Mt Benger Mail, 23 November 1938, Page 1

PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

SOURCE OF CIVIC PRIDE. 11 Public buildings call for the best and most durable materials,” declares Mr E, Berry Webber, in the Journal of the Royal Institute of British Architects. ‘‘No undertaking of this nature is too small to be important. ‘‘l was interested to hear the president of the Royal Academy refer recently to the - opportunity for mural painting in our new municipal buildings. I believe lam right in saying that the opportunity has only occurred in recent years through some wealthy patron supplying the money. Surely there is no need for this. The simplicity forced on ns by post-war economy has pruned most of the pre-war overripe fruit from our buildings, and they have gained thereby both internally and externally. We can easily afford to give our artists, especially our younger artists, a chance. I should like to see it become a recognised thing among local authorities to expect to see a piece of fine painting in any new municipal building—even in the smaller ones. I realise, of course, one cannot always afford the works of the masters, but there are countless opportunities for the younger men to place themselves on the map. ‘‘The most important buildings of a city are its civic buildings, and by them the city is labelled. Local government is as important as national government; it is closer to the lives of the people and it deals with their immediate needs. Much as we like to lampoon it at times, it is comforting to know there is no better, system in any other country.

‘ ‘ Architects have always shown themselves ready to help in any public work. May I suggest that the authorities might help the architect and thereby help themselves? They could do so by ensuring that the architect is called in early, and not merely presented with a site and a schedule of accommodation; let him help with'the selection of both, if it is the intention to appoint him. If ho is to be selected by competition, bring the assessor in at the same stage. It costs no more, but it has a great bearing on the ultimate result.

“I do not speak purely from apprehension. I speak as the result of experience. I also speak from the firm conviction that the provision of our public buildings is something more than a mere job —its moral effect can be groat, and it deserves the finest efforts of us all. ' Our public buildings should be a source of pride. Civic pride deserves no sneer. Civic pride means good citizens, just as pride in a regiment produces good soldiers. The voices of all the cynics in the world cannot deny this fact.”