No_5_July_-_August_-_September__1958 — Page 37

TRAJAN'S

COLUMN

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NEWS

・・・ NOTES

TOPICS

IT CAN HAPPEN HERE.

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ed at Hatfield a breakdown in get- sound and helpful letter would be the ting one's instructions carried out last twelve words. Is this really the is a rather more common occurrence result the Building Authority hope to than we would care to admit. Out of achieve?

all the decisions, variations and re- UNIVERSITY CHANGE sponsibilities which arise during the

design and construction of a building, the University is now relegated to a So the Faculty of Architecture at there always seems to be something Department, in conjunction with the which we "let go this time". This mental reservation is of no help when the roof blows off.

ACANTHUS -

'Poor Hon. Hatfield—at least we've a roof to our heads !'

THE BUILDER (LONDON)

pub-

Engineering school. quietly, too.

And all done so On the face of things this would appear to be a retrograde step; but there may be good reasons for the change. It would be nice to know the thinking behind the move, especially when architectural educa- tion has become such a topic of con- versation and discussion in all parts of the Commonwealth.

In West Africa, teaching and re- search are expanding; Australia is architectural schools, opening more Liverpool and other centres in Britain. are extending the sphere of influence of University schools of architecture, whilst the R.I.B.A. Oxford confer- ence, and the proposal for a l'aculty of Building, all give an impression that architectural education is vital and alive and improving. Yet here in the midst of all this building we are retreating apparently. There have been failures in the recent de- gree examinations, but is this any rea- son for a change of administration? A student is awarded a degree not only because he is competent but also be- cause he has a maturity of thought

which will enable him to solve efficient-

ly problems as he meets them. This maturity is gained from a full Univer- Can it be that this full life is lacking sity life, lived in his own experiences. here? Or are the regulations so hide- bound that freedom of thought and expression is sub-ordinated to

An insurance agency in Great Bri- tain says that a striking increase has taken place in the numbers and size of claims made against architects for professional negligence. Makes one wonder if this is because architects are becoming more negligent or be- cause building owners are more aware of their legal position. It would seem that something similar is worrying the local boys, too, if a paragraph in a recent bulletin of the Hong Kong Society of Architects is any guide. This sets out, in answer to a query from a member of the Society, the extent to which an architect may be WINDY CORNER. financially liable, under Hong Kong And talking of things blowing off, law, for professional negligence. It it was nice to receive a letter is obviously prudent for architects lished elsewhere in this issue tak- to insure against such eventualities, ing us to task on the question of as legal charges can be quite sub- wind effects. This, in our smug, pro stantial, with damages, costs, solici- voking way, is just what we hoped tors' fees and the like, whether the the paragraph in question would do. claim is proved or has no foundation. With most of Mr. Faber's letter we The enquiry into the roofs blown are in complete agreement and, cer- off at Hatfield New Town lends em- tainly, the point about the architects phasis to the fears and trepidations who apply the two-to-one rule indis- PRECINCTS FOR PEACE. which beset architects throughout criminately is well made. But there The disruption and disturbance in their career. Reading through the ARE such firms - in fact

rumour the complacency of our daily life report of the findings of Mr. Michael has it that one architect, on receiving brought about by subterranean excur- Rowe, Q.C., where it is stated that the B.O.0. letter, promptly told а sions below Connaught Road and the major causes of the damage were Government Dept., that a building he places South raises the thought "the architect's failure to communic- was designing would cost 20% more has a comprehensive plan for the fu- ate his intentions to the contractors, now that he has to take wind effects ture of the town centre and his failure to see that they were into account!

seriously considered? As a thought carried out, coupled with the con- Of course,

any designer worth for discussion, can we afford to have tractors' deliberate departure from his hire will always consider the wind a completely pedestrian precinct in the architect's drawings, in order to in his buildings. And the Building the busy central area? CAN WE cope with a position mainly attribut- Authority simply want to make sure AFFORD NOT TO HAVE ONE? As able to their Own inaccuracies in the architects do their job, not blind- a solution to the traffic problem, construction", we must ask were the ly work to a rule for London wind this may not be such a silly idea as contractors, architects, clerk of works pressures here in typhoon-troubled it appears at first. Make soine of exceptional? Those who know build- Hong Kong. Our only doubtful Statue Square a bus terminus, leave ing will also know that what happen- thought in Mr. Faber's otherwise the rest as gardens. Create car parks

book matters?

to text-

ever been

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