No_4_May_-_June__1958 — Page 38

Some Notes On How To Prepare

The new city of Coventry, he said, had THE PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE EXAMINATION been built to a brick control, making use of limestones, marble and slate for decorative purposes. Streets were design- ed where possible to give vistas including

By W.G. Gregory, Faculty of Architecture, Hongkong University. the Cathedral Tower. Not only the The opinions, criticisms, remarks, and A good assistant should always be in a facades of the buildings were considered. advice given in this article are in no way position to take over from a senior in an They had sought to avoid such horrors as official and should be regarded solely as emergency. He will not be able to do buildings with "a Queen Anne front and

one individual's point of view.

this if he lives an oyster-existence. Be a Mary-Ann back", and pipes, etc. had

observant but not inquisitive. It all adds been concealed in the structure since The Building Ordinance and the Build- to one's experience. Incidentally it would "buildings should not have their entrails ing Regulations invests the authorised do no good if the impression is gained architect with certain direct responsibilities that one is trying to oust a senior from and in effect indicates to the public that his position a certain amount of tact

visible"'!

"I believe," Mr. Gibson said, "if we the Building Authority is confident that is required, are going to give anything of value to persons having certain training and ex- future generations it is not just a question perience or persons who have passed its A candidate at a professional practice of keeping out the rain. Mediaeval examinations are fit and proper persons and practical experience examination or builders used their artistry to add beauty to undertake architectural work on their interview is not expected to show that he and grace. Unless we also do so ourselves own responsibility,

is an expert draftsman, a working draw- we shall have failed!''

ing exponent or gifted designer. Any This puts the architect into a position drawings that he is asked to bring with Of especial interest amongst the slides whereby the public will expect him to be him are to act as a basis for talking, and was a large, vividly coloured mosaic in a person of integrity and competence with to see the types of project on which he the city's new subway, created for Coven- a sense of responsibility, to whom they has been employed (you cannot bring the try by an Italian expert, and depicting can entrust their work.

building with you! !). A man who has characters from the city's historic past

obviously not done anything but simple Professional proficiency in architecture buildings, say, additions and alterations in period dress. There was also the cannot be gained entirely academically or has been employed solely as an interior famous old city clock (stored in safety in and full qualification aş an architect or furniture designer cannot very well the country during the "blitz") now set requires satisfying the authorities, that argue that he has had sufficient experience up again with a novel setting incorporat- not only has the architect had a recognis- to undertake a major project, which, it ing a moving statue of Lady Godiva ed form of training but that he has had is repeated, is what authorization implies. riding on horseback, with Peeping Tom a degree of practical experience and is

An assistant, it is realized, cannot select

popping out every hour and then placing cognizant of the purely professional aspects the work he is to undertake, but he can his hands over his "blinded eyes".

A short film on the "Phoenix City' followed.

of his work.

It is not the purpose of the paper to discuss how a recognised training may be obtained but to look into how the profes-

and practical experience can

sional

obtained.

be not

where

in the first instance apply for a post in offices where he is likely to get this type of experience and

ultimately his It is Replying to a question Mr. Gibson said

own endeavours will be rewarded.

but the quantity

the necessarily the that Coventry had bought the land it

There quality of experience that counts. needed for its town-planning from the

are, unfortunately, offices, which are run owners. It could then either build itself It might be emphasised here that the on very "unprofessional" lines, where the ΟΙ let others build according to its best architects academically do not neces- volume of the work may be enormous, covenants. It had itself done a good deal sarily make the best architects in prac- but where the architect is engaged in a of building while the Labour Government tice: this is not uncommon in many walks manner contrary to any accepted Code of was in power, but this had since stopped. of life. There is a general levelling up or Practice or indeed contrary to the provi Generally the city had developed accord- down, which ever way it may be regarded, sion of the Building Ordinance. ing to plan but in some cases the "eggs at the professional stage of an architect's perience of this kind is not worth having had become somewhat scrambled'. Wind- career.

whatever the financial advantages. ing up his talk Mr. Gibson said:

the

Ex-

It is inevitable, that no matter how good an office is, an assistant may find himself engaged on the design or even the working drawings alone of a large project which occupies the whole of his probation- professional practice ary period between graduation and the examination. He

Now, how does one become professional- "From what I have seen in my very

ly proficient? Let it be assumed that the short visit, what is going on here is person concerned is an assistant in an much more dramatic than Coventry in architect's office. terms of scale and speed. In fact, with

Firstly, a great deal depends on the speed at which it is now regenerating type of office in which one is employed. itself, Hongkong over the next twenty It is advisable to get into an office where years should be capable of turning itself the principal allows staff a fair amount may never have the opportunity for site into one of the most beautiful cities in of responsibility particularly in carrying supervision for his own office. The answer the world, for it has a lovely natural jobs through from beginning to end.

join the company of "side walk super- setting. I look forward very much to cannot expect to interview clients, but to in the building work going on

visors, in other words, take an interest around coming here from time to time.

be able to follow the sequence of sketch design working drawings

that you pass on your way home liaison with you,

—

One

Thanking the speaker, Mr. J. I. consultant's staff quotations for sub- from work or when you go out at week-

Mallorie said that he knew the planning contracts and supply contracts of a new Coventry had been contemplated cation

specifi-

preparation of tender and con-

Own

ends.

your Get permission from office or from other architects' offices to

as far back as 1937. While the "b'itz" tract documents and site supervision is visit their jobs, after office hours. had afforded the opportunity to put the very valuable experience. Once one has Time must be spent on preparation for ideas into effect, what had been achieved carried out, to all intents and purposes, the "ordeal of the examination. As for was also largely due to propaganda con- a complete job of reasonable complexity any other examination, it would be foolish tinuously conducted over a long period. one not only gains confidence but can give to expect to work through the examination So intensive had this been that the people proof of one's competence.

without some prior study. In cases where of that city had themselves begun to look At any rate, in all offices it is possible the candidate has had many years of around them in a way they never had to find out office methods (without going experience in an architect's office and has before, and to appreciate the possibilities to the "Confidential Files"), blank forms occupied an important and responsible of what might be done by proper plan- of contract, copies of old specifications, post, revision may be all that is necessary ning.

and other blank documents are available.

(Continued on page 51)

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