The Dilworth Competition

Progress, Volume IX, Issue 12, 1 August 1914, Page 1177

The Dilworth Competition

Won by Messrs. Park and Savage of Onehunga This competition was settled last month, the design by Messrs. Park & Savage of Onehunga (illustrated herewith) having won the first prize of £SOO. Mr. Geo. Goldsbro’ of Auckland was awarded the second prize of £250, and the design by Messrs. G. B. Leith & G. Burridgc Leith of Melbourne was placed third, with £IOO prize. There were twentythree designs sent in altogether. In the winning design, the chief aim has been the production of a design that would give the necessary accommodation arranged on the most economical lines at the figure allowed. The plan is arranged to allow of future, additions without the destruction of existing buildings and without interference to the work of the school. As the money allowed in the opinion of the Authors necessitated plain elevations, the question of planning was considered as the most essential, although the prominent buildings will have a pleasing effect from all approaches. The style adopted is the English Public and Secondary School style of architecture, modified to suit local requirements. The site being unrestricted in area, allowed a free hand in layout, so that the buildings will be placed on site with a north-easterly aspect as asked for in the conditions. Although the whole scheme was designed for the Competition, it is only intended to erect at present the administrative block, Cottage Hospital, and two of the two storey dormitories with class rooms and dormitories to accommodate 100 boys. The cost of these has not to exceed £25,000 and the time allowed for completion is 2 years. The Preparatory School is separate from the rest of the institution, and yet is in a convenient position for all boys to dine in the same room. Covered ways are provided between all buildings with a central wind screen, and will also be used as conduits for the electric wires. The hot and cold water and gas pipes are carried in the roof, which will dispense with the necessity of digging trenches and disfiguring the grounds when repairs or extensions are necessary. The materials proposed to be used are exterior Melbourne double pressed bricks with Coromandel base and Quoin stones. All outside walls to have cavity, and backing to Melbourne bricks to be in best quality local bricks. Roofs to be covered with blue Welsh slates so selected to harmonise with the

colour scheme. Reinforced concrete floors, flats and staircases to be used throughout. Floors to be covered with Decolite, Fama, or other suitable materials, Staircases to have lead-filled treads laid on wooden blocks. The partitions between Class rooms etc., to be in Concrete preferably. In planning supervision, compactness, shape and lighting of class rooms, future additions, heating, lighting and ventilation have been kept prominently in view.

Assembly Hall has been designed on central system with corridor on all sides and class rooms opening off same. Three Avails of the future assembly hall are contained in present scheme, and broadly speaking are not interfered with when the additions are made. This means that one wall, the roofing and flooring of the space is all that is necessary to complete this part of the scheme.

It is not intended that pupils will use the Central front entrance. They will be drafted from the dormitories along covered ways to the Assembly Hall and thence to respective class rooms. All outside doors are hung to open out, to allow quick emptying of building. Staircases have been so placed to open into end of corridors so that they do not discharge in front of class room doors, etc. Corridors can be utilised to exhibit best work of pupils each week, and as glass partitions will be . between them and corridors, allowing the headmaster to inspect without entering the room. Class rooms are designed to seat 25 boys each on single desk system with 2 feet gangway between each. These rooms receive maximum of light and ventilation and are heated by Ideal radiators. All doors of class rooms open into corridors to allow of quick emptying. Gymnasium. ventilated and supplied with changing room fitted with lockers. Shower baths are also provided. Laboratories are detached from main building, but connected by covered ways. These comprise physical and chemical. Dormitories.—lt was considered advisable to have two stories for senior and single for the younger children. These dormitories will be treated on principle of Hospital wards with as few mouldings and projections as possible, all the interiors being treated with plaster. Dormitories are fitted with Master’s bed room, changing and boot rooms with all lavatory and bath accommodation according to English standard. A unit of 25 pupils has been strictly adhered to in these as in all other parts of the buildings. The chief feature of the preparatory school is its large assembly hall to be used as exercising, drilling or playing space in wet weather. Around the hall are grouped the class rooms, with a sick room and sand room in which sand will be placed on which the infants can play. Dining room will accommodate 300 boys, a portion of which will be partitioned off in present scheme to act as an assembly hall for 100 boys. The kitchen and laundry blocks have been specially treated and will contain every modern convenience. The scheme laid down is for the final one, and it is only suggested that the necessary appliances be installed at present. The housing of servants for both schools is situated above the kitchen block where a housekeeper will be in charge. Cottage Hospital is situated a sufficient distance from the main buildings. It provides for six beds; nurses room, convalescent room etc. Chapel and masters residence have been designed to fulfil conditions of competition. Armoury and carpenters shop also designed to fulfil conditions. Lavatories, W.C’s., etc., are provided outside of main buildings but off covered ways and fulfil all requirements. —lnter-communication telephone system has been allowed for throughout the entire scheme. Ventilation.—A complete system designed in which mechanical ventilation will play an important part. Windows to be metal casements throughout,

and bottom sashes opening into Hoppers lined toavoid down draughts. Cleaning and Janitor’s rooms are provided on the different floors with water, sink, dust shoots etc. All walls and ceilings to be plastered, but on first floors ceilings will be fibrous plaster or Eternit as desired by the Board. Class rooms will have a dado 4' 6" high and walls above this coloured a greyish green, this tint being most restful to the eyes. Water. —Hot and cold water has been provided for throughout. Electric Light.-—A most comprehensive scheme of lighting has been designed including a 60 cell 290 amp hours capacity storage battery. Heating installation will be by means of Ideal boiler and radiators throughout, with radiators so placed that a cold air inlet will cause air as it enters the room to impinge on the radiators as it enters and thus ensure a continuous and even flow of fresh air to each room. Ventilation has been so designed to give three changes of air per hour in each instance. Drainage has been carried out by means of septic tank on the Stoddart principle. Water supply-and tank has been designed to give 60 gall, per head for every 24 hours, with provision made at different points for fire plugs., In conclusion the Authors of the design, Messrs. Park and Savage, Onehunga, are quite confident the present part of their scheme will be carried out for the sum allowed £25,000.