Banks College Architectural Course.

Progress, Volume XIV, Issue 7, 1 March 1919, Page 451

Banks College Architectural Course.

Recognising that the profession of architecture provides some of the most promising openings for our young men, Banks’ Commercial College has decided to institute a complete course in architecture. The duration of the course depends on th knowledge of the pupil at the commencement. It. may be one year in the case of those who have served two or three years with a recognised architect, and who have a fair knowledge of building, construction, design, and a knowledge of mathematics up to matriculation standard. Or it may, in other cases, extend over a three years’ period.

Hitherto no attempt has been made in New Zealand to teach architecture except at Canterbury College. On several occasions Banks’ Commercial College has been approached to institute a course of training in the subjects necessary to equip the architect, but the Director has not been inclined to do anything in the matter, as it was considered that correspondence tuition—one of the chief methods provided by the College—was not suitable for this class of work. It appears, however, from assurances given by several leading members of the profession, that architecture can well be taught by correspondence. By th use of written lectures incorporating plans, drawings and designs, a young man can qualify for examination in architecture without attending a College. It is not suggested that a man can become an expert architect by mail. But it is possible, however, that he can acquire a full knowledge of the principles of the art by this method; that he can by means of it learn all that is required to pass the examinations ■of the Royal Institute of British Architects or the New Zealand Institute of Architects, and to enable him to step into the field of pratical office work with perfect confidence and a full assurance of success.

This being so, Banks Commercial College is no longer reluctant to offer to those ambitious of fol-

lowing the career of the architect, a course of study hat will fit them for it. Arrangements have therefore been made with two gentlemen of acknowledged standing in the profession to prepare the necessary courses, . which will be available for students immediately after Easter. 'A perusal of the names and qualifications of these gentlemen is in itself a sufficient justification for embarking on this new enterprise, and a sufficient guarantee that students will receive the best tuition obtainable in the Dominion. The instructors are : Mr Llewellyn E. Williams, A.R.1.8.A., a partner in. the firm of Messrs Clere and Williams (architects and structural engineers, Wellington). Mr Williams is an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects, and a member of the Concrete Institute, London. He is a Medallist in Building Construction and Sanitation of King’s College University of London. He also, studied his art in Paris for one year in the ateliers of Chifflot, Umbdenstock and Groniort, and in Belgium and Italy.

Mr C. H. Mitchell, A.R.1.8.A., a partner in the firm of Messrs Atkins, Bacon and Mitchell (architects and structural engineers, Wellington. Mr Mitchell is an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects. He studied for two and a half years in London, and while in England had practical experience with large constructional firms in the erection of theatres and steel structures, particularly in the erection of large munition buildings in London during the war period.

Personal tuition classes will be conducted in Wellington, while students outside Wellington will be taken by correspondence. Provision will, however, be.made for the latter students to secure personal tuition in Wellington for several weeks before the examination. Students may take individual subjects or the group of subjects required for their examinations. The classes and tuition will be open not only to those who are working in the offices of architects, but also to all builders and contractors.