THE ARCHITECT

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 505, 7 November 1928, Page 7

THE ARCHITECT

Working to Give the Advantages of Service

A PRACTICAL MAN

What are the functions of an architect? Outside the profession itself, and building trade circles, comparatively few persons probably could answer the question completely. 11l recent years there has beeii a steady growth ot public interest in, and appreciation of, architecture. While this is a welcome change Irom the apathy o£ the Victorian era, there still exists an undercurrent of public opinion which classes the architect as an artist only. Pie is an artist, hut is also a man of science and of business, who is concerned with facts and figures, with contracts of law, prices and building materials, and a hundred and one practical problems which require practical solution. For the proper erection of any building the essential requisites are the adoption of the most suitable design, in association with the best construction and the most economical expenditure. It is the necessity of obtaining these that demands the employment of an architect. In other words, the architect, in his various capacities and qualities, is the professional means whereby the expenditure on any building may receive expert consideration, one of his main functions being the organisation of the financial outlay of his client. The owner will derive most benefit if, in his consideration of the projected building, the appointment of his adviser be made at an early stage, and, if possible, before such points as the site and the limit of expenditure are decided upon. There will thus be obtained, as regards these two dominating factors, the experience and knowledge of a consultant and technical adviser on all phases of the building and its relation to its surroundings.