Auckland Architectural Students' Association

Progress, Volume X, Issue 4, 1 December 1914, Page 141

Auckland Architectural Students' Association

"It is supposed that a Club is to be erected, and the site chosen is, we will say, at the top of Shortland Street, on the site overlooking the harbour;

The second subject set by the visitor-in-charge Mr. R. K. Binney, was for a Club House and the two drawings mentioned are reproduced on this page. The conditions are as follows: .

with 50ft. frontage to Shovtland Street, and depth of 100 ft. The site is level, and is bounded on both sides by brick buildings, and terminating with a retaining

wall rising from Fort Street, from which an uninterrupted view of the harbour is obtained. The building is to be designed in the Italian Rennaissancc. Material: Brick and stone. Accommodation: Hall with porter and cloak room and lavatory large reading room guest room; dining room with access to kitchen, which will be at top of the building. (The Student need not plan the kitchen, but leave space on plan indicating the position) ; billiard room for two tables; a large open loggia facing harbour. The building is to be of three doors not including kitchen which is to be on the roof, and the court yard is to be made a special feature. Drawings to -Jin. scale. (1) Plans of three floors. (2) Elevations to street and facing harbour. (3) Two sections. (4) Jin. detail of some portion of the building. “B” Subject (1) -Jin. scale elevation to Shortland Street of Club House which is to be three floors high. -Jin. detail of some portion of the design. Six weeks allowed for design.” The Visitor-in-charge reported as follows on the drawings submitted to him: — “The second subject for competition for the Auckland Architectural Students Association was a Club House to be designed in the Italian Renaissance. An actual site was given. The conditions were kept as simple as possible— being a difficult subject. Two of the most important features asked for in the design were an open courtyard in the centre of the building, and a loggia in the elevation facing the sea. On the whole the designs returned were disappointing, and they showed lack of knowledge of design and of the orders. There were no designs showing anything approaching a successful treatment of the loggia. Mr. Towle’s 3rd mention in the “A” subject was awarded for his design and detailing of his courtyard—which was in every way successful. Mr. Reid}" was awarded a first mention in the “B” subject for his street facade, the composition being decidedly good. There were no other places awarded. The difficulties of a subject such as this should not deter students from attempting it as even in the event of total failure, useful experience will have been gained.” (Signed) R. K. Binney, Visitor-in-chargc of 2nd subject for competition.”