Our 70th Competition.

Progress, Volume XVI, Issue 3, 1 November 1920, Page 68

Our 70th Competition.

We offer a prize of £1 is. for the design adjudged the best for a CHURCH in accordance with the following conditions:— A small religious body gathered in one of the cities of New Zealand desired to erect a church. The adherents of the sect are men and women of culture who have given up the Christian faith in its orthodox expression, but who have retained a belief in the Supreme Being, the object of their worship, and, in varying measure and with differing interpretations, in some of the Christian doctrines. 1 They also have been much influenced by the religious faith of the East. Their service requires no ritual, and therefore the plan need not make any provision for this, but the committee particularly emphasises that the members desire something more than a meeting hall, unfortunately so common with many Nomcomformist sects. The committee realises the great service which Architecture can perform in arousing the religious emotions, and feels that a church building which fails in this respect has failed completely in its purpose. Further, it is felt by the members that their faith is a natural evolution of orthodox Christianity, and that therefore the building should properly take the form of some adaptation of one of the forms traditionally associated with the Christian religion. At the same time they would like it to express in some way the Eastern influence upon their cult.. *

The building is required to seat in comfort 120 worshippers and a small choir. It is small, but is to be complete in all essentials, such as porch, accommodation for coats, disrobing rooms for the minister and choir.

The site is a corner one, with ample room for the building, which will be seen from all sides. There is no stone in the district, but excellent bricks of good texture are available; also good metal for concrete can be obtained. There is sufficient money available for a limited amount of stone to be used if so desired by the architect, but first consideration will be given in deciding the competition to those designs which make the most use of available material. Money is available to enrich some portion of the interior. The district is subject to earthquake shock. : Drawings required: (1) Plan. (2) Section. (3) Perspective, or, in place of (3) if competitor prefers, elevation of main front and part elevation of another. Drawings must be in Indian ink, shaded, but. not coloured. Mr. C. Reginald Ford, F.N.Z.1.A., M.S.A., of Wanganui, has kindly set this subject and will adjudicate. Designs must be sent .in finished as above under a nom-de.-flume, addressed to the Editor "N.Z. Building Progress," 22, Wingfield Street, Wellington, and clearly marked "Seventieth" Competition on outside, with a covering letter giving competitor's name, and address of employer. Designs must be sent in by January 27th.