Our 73rd Competition.

Progress, Volume XVI, Issue 10, 1 June 1921, Page 226

Our 73rd Competition.

The following entries were received in the above Competition for a Band Stand “ Bass,” by Richard A. E. Osten (with Messrs. Anscombe and McDowell Smith, of Dunedin); “Dalkeith,” by George Drummond (with Mr. D. G. Mowatt, of Dunedin); “Damascus,” by W. D. Quinn (with Mr. F. E. Greenish, of Wellington).

above subject should certainly have been small enough, and interesting enough, one would imagine, to attract more than three competitors. At this time of the year, with long evenings, and no Institute exams, in specially close proximity, there are no good reasons against these competitions drawing between twenty and thirty competitors. The gain to the students themselves would be incalculable.

The judge, Mr. Basil B. Hooper, of Dunedin, reports as follows; “It is somewhat monotonous to have to commence one’s criticism of designs by complaining of the lack of entries. It is certainly disappointing, however, to notice how few of the students (who must number well over a hundred at least in the whole Dominion) enter for these competitions. The

“Of the three designs submitted, I have no hesitation in placing the one by ‘ Damascus 1 first, though ‘ Dalkeith ’ is not a bad second. “ The chief points of superiority which give ‘Damascus’ the advantage are: —(i) The simplicity and restraint shown throughout. (2) The neat and natural way in which the parapet is carried up to act as a base or drum for the conical

dome. Being made circular enables it to exactly lit the roof, without any little awkward flats, such as would inevitably occur otherwise. (3) The conical dome, roofed with tiles, gives the design the touch of Italian desired, and relieves it from the slight heaviness of a stone or plaster dome.

“ The few points in which I think the design could be improved are:—(l) A little more thought might have been put into the design of the steps, which err, perhaps, somewhat on the side of bareness. The wall at the sides of the steps is a bit thin, and could with advantage be half as thick again. The thickening out of the lower portion of tins wall, as shown on the elevation, does not agree with the plan or section. (2) The iron work balustrade could also have been designed in a more characteristically Italian manner. (3) The drawings have not been shaded, as asked for in the conditions. A slightly heavier line for the inking in would have been an improvement to the draughsmanship, which is somewhat weak and lacking in finish. The perspective, however, is a very line drawing, and makes up to a great extent for the shortcomings of the geometrical drawings.

“ Dalkeith’s ’ design is rather inclined U> be over-elaborate for a structure of this kind. The frieze with triglyphs, circular ornaments in the metopes, and cartouche in the tympanum of the pediment, are all quite correct in their way, but they are more suitable to a public or city building than to a Band Stand in a Park. The same remark applies to the rusticated base and piers. Another improvement would have been to have made the section of the dome semi-elliptical, instead of segmental. The design, however, shows thought and patience in working out.

“ The design by ! Bass ’ shows in many ways a lack of the knowledge of the main principles governing architectural design. The practice of applying columns, which carry nothing but their own little bit of entablature, is completely wrong, and the projections of the entablature over the columns looks fussy in the extreme. Introducing roughcast, too, in a classic design is quite out of place, and the small amount of brick shown would have been better without. On the whole, too, it is wise to avoid elliptical arches, which usually appear weak. The draughtsmanship of the perspective could be much improved. However, no doubt continued application will work wonders, and I trust all the competitors will continue competing.” BASIL HOOPER, A.R.1.8.A. Dunedin, May 7th, 1921.

Mr. John W. Simpson, President of the R.1.8.A., in addressing the Manchester Society of Architects recently, said that what the profession needed was political power. A scheme had been just completed for a Professional Defence Union, and he hoped to see such a union powerfully in existence — Verhum sat sapienti.