Notes for Final Competitors

Progress, Volume XII, Issue 4, 1 December 1916, Page 814

Notes for Final Competitors

In making a selection of designs from the thirtythree designs submitted, the Assessor has found that there are four which are of such equal merit that he has recommended the Council to award a fourth premium and to ask the authors of the four selected designs to compete in the final competition. The four designs selected in this competition each show good and Dad features. There are none that could be recommended as they stand, for adoption by the Council, although the points gained by each competitor vary exceedingly in detail, the resulting totals are very close. The final selection would depend on the skill and care shown by the competitors in re-modelling their designs so as to eliminate the bad features and strengthen those which are not quite as satisfactory as they should be. The Assessor has marked with a blue cross in each set of plans, those points to which reconsideration must be given.

How far they depart from what the Assessor considers perfect arrangement is indicated by the copy of the marks gained by the competitors for the various parts of the design. A mere enlarging and re-drawing the designs submitted would serve no useful purpose. The position is that four competitors have been selected by reason of the evidence they have given that they arc capable of designing a perfectly satisfactory work, and they are now asked to reconsider, and where necessary entirely re-model, their designs in the light of the Assessor’s criticisms and notes, and to produce altered designs in accord with them for his final decision.

The blue crosses on the plans will show to which portions of the design special attention must be given but the Assessor has not given any hint as to the manner in which the alterations must be made. In preparing their fresh designs, competitors must carefully re-read the Conditions and Notes for Competitors originally issued, together with the detailed notes here following.

GENERAL SCHEME Full advantage must be taken by the competitors of the sloping bank which at present exists and to form as much of their roadway as possible on the side of this bank. There should be a space between each of the blocks of buildings. It would not be absolutely imperative that vehicles should be able to drive between the three blocks but they should be able to drive all round and there should be space left for turning. It is very important that com-

petitors give their close consideration to convenience of vehicular approach. Footway approach may rightly be by flights of steps. THE PLANS None of the selected competitors have quite grasped the meaning of the Assessor when he stated mat me Sculpture Hall should be a “central” space. in every reference the Sculpture Hall is spoken of as a central space. Competitors are asked to read again the last clause of page 10 of the original Conditions. The Assessor does not think that the Entrance Hall which would also be a place for sculpture for —should open directly into the Sculpture Hall. Far better effect would be produced as indicated by the Assessor in the original Conditions, that the Entrance Hall should give access to a picture gallery which should in turn lead to the central space by which each of the other galleries might be approached. The Entrance Hall should have some architectural dignity and competitors are to remember that it is asked that it should be spacious. 300 superficial feet would not be regarded as extravagant, it must be thoroughly well top-lighted.

THE CENTRAL SPACE None of the competitors have shown a suitable Sculpture Hall. It should be about 30 feet in diameter, certainly not less, and would not be regarded as extravagant if it were a few feet more, in designing this central space some competitors have not given sufficient lighting. It should be well lighted as stated in the original Conditions, by windows in the drum of the dome and the central light in the crown of the dome would also have a good effect but it would not be advisable to make this too large. Certainly the whole of the dome should not be of glass, but should be of solid construction. If the light in the eye of the dome is thought necessary, it should not be more than about 4 feet in diameter.

The openings into the corridors from the central space should be about 10 feet wide so that a hue vista may be obtained in each direction.

OIL PAINTINGS, ‘Sc. GALLERIES It should be noticed in reference to the galleries, that although oil, water colour and engravings galleries are spoken of, a well-lighted gallery would be equally useful for any of these exhibits, the only tiling to remember is tliat oil paintings are likely to be larger than water colour paintings, and that the distance for viewing them should not be less than the 16 feet stated in the Assessor’s paper on lighting, and the width of the avenues should not be less than 12 ft. Some of the competitors have shown narrow passage ways, which would not be desirable.

It is very important and imperative that the galleries should be formed as suggested in the Assessor’s paper. The old method of rectangular rooms even when the skylights are made to throw the light on the walls, cannot possibly be as satisfactory as the corridor system with well-lighted bays. The area of the buildings varies considerably

and in order that competitors may be oh a perfectly equal footing in respect to the size of the building, the lengths of wall surfaces are now given and must be adhered to.

For Oils and Water Colours there must be a length of outer wall of 250 feet and the possibility of extension must be kept in view. If the building is arranged or planned as suggested, the arms of the cross might be omitted or extended, and the building yet present a perfectly finished appearance at any time.

In giving the length of the outside wall required for oil and water colours the Assessor wishes it to be borne in mind by the competitors that the promoters may wish to spend at first only the £9001) at present allotted. So that it would be well to point out how much of the design can be erected for that sum and also to suggest possible enlargements. The work at any stage must not present an unfinished appearance. ENGRAVINGS These may lie provided for in a bay or in a separate room. In either case the Avail surface of about 60 feet would be sufficient and in both cases the sky-light should be so arranged that each wall is equally well lighted. (See notes on lighting).

• MINIATURES The Miniatures should be placed in a separate room and this should certainly be off the Entrance Vestibule opposite the Curator’s room. A room having a superficial space of between 200 and 225 feet will be ample. LATRINES A? LOCKER ROOMS These have in some cases been well designed and placed, but in considering these and the entrance to them from the basement, it must be remembered that the Art Gallery will be very often used for conversazionies, and at these times these locker rooms and lavatories would be used as cloak rooms so that the entrance to them must be direct, that is to say it must not be necessary to pass through the main portion of the building before reaching them. A double doorway should be arranged for entrance and exit. The lavatories need not be partitioned off, it would be sufficient if the basin were in a recess off the locker room with entrance to the w.c.

from the recess. The locker rooms might well be rather larger than originally stated. It would be better that the superficial area should be about 200 feet including the lavatory recess. BASEMENT It should be kept in mind that it is necessary that the basement entrance should have some architectural dignity as when the building is used for conversaziones this would be the entrance for the guests and the stairs leading from the basement entrance hall would give access to the retiring rooms. It may be considered more convenient to

have two staircases leading on either side to the

men's and ladies' retiring rooms for in this way the rooms can be approached perhaps more readily than' by the central staircase leading at first into the gallery.

The locker rooms may be as stated in the original conditions as at the basement level, but wherever they are placed, a point to remember is that it must be possible to reach them off the basement vestibule having a dignified architectural treatment and that it must be possible to get access and egress without any chance of crowding. Whereever the locker rooms and' lavatories are placed, their position must not be apparent from the exterior.

STAIRS From what has been stated it can be seen that it is not imperative to have a single staircase to carry out the desired arrangements, and that it may be thought more desirable to have two staircases but in either case the staircase and stairs must be treated in an architectural manner, and be of sufficient importance to make them suitable for exhibition purposes. They must therefore be thoroughly well lighted. CURATOR’S ROOM, The Curator’s room should undoubtedly be off the Entrance Hall, opposite the room for miniatures. It may be of the size already given for miniatures.

ELEVATIONS It was stated in the original Conditions, page 8, that the building should be in the classical style, drawn in a quiet, dignified simple manner. Although this is desired the building should still appear as if designed for the purpose of an art gallery. Competitors must be careful to avoid any appearance tiiat would give a suggestion that it was designed for a mausoleum. ft is required that the treatment should be original, not a mere copy of classical buildings. Those elevations which show an original treatment in a simple dignified manner, will receive more favourable consideration than those which are strictly in accord with classical examples or which show an unnecessarily ornate treatment.

As stated above, it would be a great blot on the design if the elevations showed the position of the lavatories. It must be remembered that the that it is important that the treatment should be elevations will be seen from every point of view and artistic and dignified on all fronts.

INTERIOR DESIGN The two portions of the design which seem to call for carefully consider'd architectural treatment, are the Vestibule and the Sculpture Hall, but in either case it must be remembered that however fine an architectural treatment may be, if it is not suitable for sculpture it will not serve the end in view.

In the galleries the bays which are formed by the cross partitions, can be wider than shown by many competitors. It will be found by working out ; the diagram for the lighting on the partition walls that probably a width of bay of about 18 feet will 'be possible. This of course will vary according to the position of the sky-light. Very few competitors have worked out the lighting problem on

the partition wall. It must be remembered that it is not desired to put. pictures on the inner part of the partition Avail, but there should be a good, lighted space of about 6 feet from the corridor upon which single pictures might be hung.

The corridors should be kept lower than the skylight of the bays and might well be arched or ceiled lower in an architectural manner, but it is not desired that columns should form the termination of the partitions. It would be better that these should have an original artistic treatment of modelled ornament. There is a good opportunity for the design of original work in this part of which the Assessor hopes the competitors will make full use. It requires to be simple and refined but not stereo-typed.

LIGHTING The competitors generally have followed the course laid down in the Assessor’s article with the result that the lighting generally is quite satisfactory. Some good designs have been spoilt bv want of attention to the principles laid down. It must be rememberd that if the light falls vertically over the pictures, there will be an absence of reflections but in the case of oil colour pictures painted in a thick rough manner, the projections of the colours would cast shadows, so what would be intended by the painter to be a high bright light, would be dulled in consequence of the mass of shadow.

The skylight should be kept back as far from the Avail surface as possible to avoid reflections. It will be seen that the rule laid down by the Assessor is the one which gives this result best. In the Engravings room and also in the Small Water Colour room this objection does not hold, for in those cases the light may be only a few feet from the Avail surface without any disadvantage. The lighting of the central space has already been referred to. In all cases competitors must slioav clearly by sectional diagrams both longitudinally and transversely, the exact effect of the liahtinß and the position of reflecting surfaces. The end Avails of the corridors, it should be noted are very suitable for hanging laree pictures upon and these should therefore be Avell lighted.

THE COST Definite dimensions are now given in lieu of a definite cost so that competitors arc now required to furnish a definite tender from a reliable builder stating the sum for which he is prepared to carry out the work. This will naturally be in excess of the amount previously allowed but the cost must not exceed that which is necessary to carry out the work in accord with the spirit of the Conditions and the attached notes.

In reference to the above competitors are requested to bear in mind the views stated in clause 10 of the conditions.

Many competitors in designing their dome have' forgotten that it will be seen principally from points much bcloAv the level of the site so that Avhat may appear to be a good proportion on paper would in

execution be so much foreshortened that it would become quite insignificant. The whole of the exterior design must be of stone. Competitors are at liberty, as in the preliminary competition to ask questions up to the end of July. S. HURST SEAGER, P.R.1.8.A., F.N.Z.I.A. Assessor.