CONTENTS FOR SEPTEMBER 1953

THE O FFIC IA L JO U R N A L OF THE IN S T IT U T E OF SOUTH A FR IC A N ARCHITECTS, IN C L U D IN G THE CAPE, N A T A L , ORANGE FREE STATE A N D T R A N S V A A L P R O V IN C IA L IN STITU TES A N D THE CHAPTER OF SOUTH A FR IC A N Q U A N T IT Y SURVEYORS

CONTENTS FOR SEPTEMBER 1 9 5 3

A GARAGE, SHOPS A N D C IN EM A A T LICHTENBURG, TRANSVAAL. G. Candiotes, A.R .I.B .A ., M .I.A .,A rch itec t ...... .... .... .... .... .... 26

HOUSE DORNER, EM M ARENTIA, JOHANNESBURG.I. Dorner, M .I.A ., A rch itec t . .... ... 32

UNIVERSITY OF N A TA L SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE. Fourth Annual Exhibition and Prize-giving, May,

1953 37

BUILDING SCIENCE PUBLICATIONS 43

TRADE NOTES A N D NEWS 45

NOTES A N D NEWS 47

E D I T O RW. DUNCAN HOWIEB.Arch.,D ip .T .P ,A .R .I.B .A .,M .I.A .

ASSISTANT EDITORSUGO T O M A S E L L IB.Arch., A .R .I.B .A ., M .I.A .

GILBERT HERBERTB A rch „D ip .T .P ,A .R .I.B .A .,M .I.A .

VO LUM E 38 A L A W R E N C E H . T E A R L E P U B L I C A T I O NThe Editors w ill be g lad to consider any MSS., photographs or sketches sub m itted to them , bu t th ey should be accom panied b y stam ped addressed envelopes fo r re tu rn i f unsuitable . In case o f loss or in ju ry th e y canno t ho ld themselves responsible fo r MSS., photographs or sketches, and pu b lica tion in the Journal can alone be taken as evidence o f acceptance. The nam e and address o f th e owner should be placed on the bock o f a ll p ic tu res and MSS. The In s titu te does n o t hold its e lf responsible fo r th e opin ions expressed by con tribu tors . Annua l Subscription £1 10s. d ire c t to th e Publishers.

Ed itoria l O ffice : Transvaal P rovincial In s titu te , In s titu te o f South A frica n A rch ite cts , 612, Ke lv in House, M arshall S treet, Johannesburg - Phone 33 -5248Johannesburg O ffice : C a lcu tta House, Loveday Street. P.O. Box 1572. Phone 34 -2419

Published fo r th e In s titu te by LAWRENCE H. TEARLE & CO., D.F.B. Bu ild ing , M ill S treet, Cape Town. P.O Box 4562. Phone 3-2682.

A Garage, Shops and C inem a at Lichtenburg, TransvaalG . Candiotes, A .R . I .B .A . ,M .I .A ., A rch ite ct

PROBLEM

The site is an interna l one in the business centre o f L ichtenburg and has a frontage to Scholtz Street o f approxim ately 124' 0 " .

The scheme was firs t mooted during Building Control in 1946, and the owner desired tha t, four Shops, large Garage and F illing Station, and an A g ricu ltu ra l Implements section be bu ilt. Due to dollar restrictions the Building Owner was faced w ith the problem o f whether to continue w ith the A g ricu ltu ra l Implements section or not as most o f his large and expensive farm implements m achinery was to be o f American orig in. He decided against proceeding w ith th is section of the con

tra c t and eventually negotiated for its conversion into a cinema.

The A rch itectura l problem was a complex one and planning fo r four Shops, M otor Showroom, F illing Station and Entrance to A g ricu ltu ra l Im plements section (which later became the Entrance to the Cinema) had to be arranged from Scholtz Street. Due to the narrow w idth o f the stand in this street (124' 0 ") i t was not possible to arrange these seven and independant sections adjoining each other. Another im portant facto r th a t had to be considered was the dem olition of the existing build ing which occupied the site and the arrangements to accommodate the tenants w ith the m in imum of inconvenience.

26 S.A. ARCHITECTURAL RECORD, SEPTEMBER, 1953

SOLUTION

A large open forecourt accessible from Scholtz Street and paved w ith slasto and contain ing flower boxes was introduced and the Shops, M otor Showroom and F illing Station were planned on either side o f th is court. A t the closed end was positioned the Entrance to the Cinema. I t was now possible to build the tearoom and ta ilo r shop in conjunction

OPPOSITE : A general view of the project looking down the open shopping court. The shops are at left, the cinema at the end and the motor showroom on the right, creating a very successful shopping unit in the town centre.

Right : An air view of the complex showing its relation to Scholtz Street and the puplic park opposite. The scale and architectural co-ordination of the whole scheme, particularly seen against the existing commercial buildings is of great significance in Lichtenburg The quiet shopping place so different from the narrow fronted neighbours is at once sheltered, peaceful and pleasant.

V ° *J

h -

SECTION b-b

■SECTION A-A

LEGEND1. Offices2. T icke t O ffice3. M anager4. Stores5. Servery

6. K itchen7. C loakroom s8. Change rooms9. Strongroom

10. Dressing room V I. P la n t room

12. T rim m er13. Scraping Shop14. Accessories15. Foreman16. Compressor17. Boilc-r room

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S A . ARCHITECTURAL RECORD, SEPTEMBER, 1953 27

CARS DRIVEN at OWNERS RISK

T h e G a r a g e

Above : The motor showroom. Flanking the court the showroom has extensive display windows and is well lit. It is roofed by a system of concrete channel beams with light precast concrete arches carrying the curved asbestos cement roofing.

Left. : The workshop looking back towards the showroom in the distance. The same type of roofing is employed with the addition of roof lights to illuminate the extensive workshop area.

Opposite : The court at night.


with the Garage and to give occupation before demolishing the vacated shops previously occupied by the two tenants. The remaining two shops were then erected and the balance of the old build ing demolished and the site cleared to make way for the M otor Showroom and F illing Station.

The service entrance to the Garage is from the secondary street whereas the Showroom Entrance is from Scholtz Street. To elim inate the noise nuisance the panel-beating workshop was planned as an independant un it related to the main Garage and Spray Painting Shop.

The shops and garage are of reinforced concrete framed construction and the tearoom and restaurant has a concrete roof o f the "M ushroom " varie ty thus e lim ina ting the necessity o f unsightly ceiling beams. In the garage concrete columns carry concrete box-gutter beams which in tu rn support a vaulted system o f roofing giving large clear unin terrupted spans. The deficate precast concrete arches, based on the "th ree pinned hinged a rch" principal, were cast on site to carry the asbestos roofing. Due to the absence of severe hailstorms in Lichtenburg, th is was considered a suitable m ateria l for giving com fortable working conditions.

C INEM AThe shell o f the A gricu ltu ra l Implements section

consisting of external walls and roof were already erected when it was decided to provide a cinema. It has a single deck auditorium seating 500 people.

The Cinema is simply planned and relies on the extensive use o f colour, materia ls and texture for e ffect. W arm autum n colours in Tyrolean are used extensively on the aud ito rium " wafer " walls and curved wall a t the procenium end. The m o tif has been to grade the colour from the two rear and opposite " wafer " walls where it is darkest to the palest autum n t in t a t the curved procenium end. The procenium surround consists o f a simple rectangular projecting nib painted white. The ceiling is in two sections o f accoustical m aterials, as shown on the drawings and carries the main auditorium ligh ting and a ir-cond ition ing inlets. It is coloured in two shades of blue. The curved rear wall follows the seating radius and is accoustically treated. The a ir-cond ition ing p lan t is located near the stage and air is introduced in to the auditorium from the 3 ceiling anemostats, and extracted a t the stage end, washed and recirculated. The p lan t is designed fo r evaporative cooling w ith fuel heating for w inter conditions. The design of main foyer and crush foyer w ith ad jo in ing cloakrooms, ticke t o ffice, and store rooms, was controlled by the w id th of the forecourt and adjo ining buildings.

★ ★ ★The to ta l cost o f th is build ing project including

Cinema, amounted to £59,000 and the area under roofs is 46,500 sq. feet.

Since its completion in December o f 1950, the build ing has been marred by ill considered and uncontrolled advertising signs, notice boards and signwriting. The a rch itect was not consulted in these matters.

S.A. ARCHITECTURAL RECORD, SEPTEMBER, 195S 29

S U B C O N T R A C T O R S , B I J O U T H E A T R E .General Contractors : L. Sub-contractors :Electrica l ....

A ir C on d ition ing .... C inema Carpets, etc. C inema Seats Suspended Ceilings, etc.W .l. W o rk ..................Shop F ittin g Everite Asbestos Roofing F lat Roof W ate rp roofing Steel W indows and Doors

Fokkens & Co.

.... de W o o lf & Rudner.H. Kaniuk.

.... Fulm ark Engineering Co. (Pty.) Ltd,

.... H. M illa rd & Son.

.... A frica n Steel Furnitu re Co. (P ty.) Ltd.

.... Fibrous Plaster C eilings (P ty .I td.

.... S. & H. Engineering W orks (P ty.) Ltd.

.... Cavaleros Industries Ltd.

.... Associated Engineers Co. Ltd.

.... H un t, Leuchars & Hepburn (P ly ) Ltd. ;.... C ritta ll-H o p e .

W ire Industries.

R ein forcing Steel .... Accoustica l M a te ria l

A spha lt Floor Tiles DoorsStone W ork " T y r o le a n "Roller Shutter Doors M arble Lime, etc. Wash Fountains .... Terrazzo W ork P lum bing ....

.... W ire Industries.

.... W. F. Johnstone.Fibrous Plaster Ceilings.Federal Products.

.... N o rth B ritish Rubber Co. S A. (P ly.) L id

.... Veneered Plywoods.

.... Slasto Co. o f S A . Ltd.

.... W hite 's Cem ent Co. Ltd.

.... U nited Steel Construction Co. (P ty.) Ltd.

.... M arble, Lim e & Associated Industries Ltd.

.... Bradley W ash Fountain Co. o f S.A.

.... Lion Concrete W orks (P ty.I L td.

.... W est Rand P lumbing W orks.

T h e C i n e m a

Above : The entrance to the Cinema. Gay colours on painted surfaces combined with the natural colour and texture o f brick and " Slasto" stone produce a lively and attractive composition.

The Foyer : A rich range o f colours has been used in the in te rio r decoration o f the cinema and the note is set by the foyer. Doors in the wall at le ft leading to the auditorium are African W alnut, display units are burgundy red in white surrounds the wall being a pale grey- green. The lighting trough is in old gold. Ceiling is "m isty morn" a pale brown pink. North wall is Slasto, East wall is old gold with deep burgundy panels over the entrance doors.


The Auditorium : Main rear surface is white acousti-Celotex, grilles are deep wine red, cove above doors is pale tomato red and dado is pale green. The projection panel is biscuit rough cast in a burgundy red surround, and the p ilo t lights are deep blue. Seating and curtains to doors are deep burgundy velvet. The rear portion o f the ceiling is ligh t blue "Federcoust" w ith burgundy red anemostats. The front portion is deep blue fibrous plaster. The side walls are Trolean varying from deep to pale brown-red The curved wall is a biscuit colour with white frame to proscenium opening, and deep green stage front. Curtains are old gold velvet. Ceiling lights have burgundy red bowls to white reflectors. Pilot lights have white surrounds, deep blue on returns and white glass bowls. A ir conditioning g rills are burgundy red in white surrounds w ith pale blue backgrounds.

Photography : Johansons Portrait Studios

S A . ARCHITECTURAL RECORD, SEPTEMBER, 1953 31

H o u s e D o r n e r , E m m a r e n t i a , J o h a n n e s b u r g

I . D o r n e r , M . I . A . , A r c h i t e c tThe house was designed by the arch itect for h im self and his fam ily a t the beginning o f 1949, and was therefore required to comply w ith the build ing restrictions then in force. For th is reason, and in order to su it fam ily and economic requirements, it was thought th a t hair-fine planning of the house was necessary, w ithout, o f course, sacrific ing comfo rt and roominess. Certain spaces were reduced to a m inim um and, a fte r having lived in the house for over three years, the arch itect is now satisfied th a t his solution o f the problem is successful. His fam ily consists o f h imself, his w ife and two young boys.

Above : The North-West view of the house showing the garden terrace.Left : A dramatic shot through the trellis-work screen from the front garden at the east side, showing the use of split- pole facing to the flower box at first floor level.


i'-J 0

SECTION SHOWING FLOWED BOXES S!* |W tlook plan

b.A. ARCHITECTURAL RECORD, SEPTEMBER, 1953 33

The street elevation with garage approach and main entrance to house seen from the entrance court. At right is seen the North-East elevation of the house, viewed from the front garden.

A p a rt from complying w ith the current build ing restrictions, the demands o f contemporary p lan ning were taken into consideration in so fa r as solar trea tm ent, indoor and outdoor liv ing and general recreational and garden seclusion were concerned.

The site has an excellent view o f the Emmaren- tia Dam. I t slopes away from the eastern or street boundary, and as the water is a few hundred yards away and considerably lower, there is no danger o f damp penetration.

As a prelim inary it m igh t be pointed out tha t the entrance to the house, and also the drive, form more or less a public space, not being separated from the road by a fence. I t is possible to enter the house, garage and outbuild ings w ithou t distu rb ing anybody in the garden or a t the fro n t o f the house. A door connects the garage w ith the entrance porch.

The entrance hall is a few steps higher than the living room, allow ing a reduced height o f sta ir to the upper floor. This change in level also helps to define the hall.

The liv ing room and din ing room are v ir tu a lly one large room, but they are read as two, or rather three, clearly-defined spaces : the liv ing room being in two portions, a panelled fireplace corner, and general liv ing space, both separated from the d in ing room by a showcase f it t in g and a rough

cast-plaster pier. A t right-angles to the fireplace is the f i t t in g which houses the cocktail bar and radiogram.

The kitchen is separated from the din ing room by a combination fit t in g , there being no actual wall. This f it t in g has a service hatch, drawers and cupboard and is accessible from both the kitchen and the dining room. The w idth of the kitchen may seem to be an absolute m inim um (7 ft. 6in.), but in practice it works very well indeed. Fittings are arranged on both sides easily reached from the passage-like space in the centre.

I t m igh t be mentioned th a t the house may be enlarged both upstairs and downstairs a t th is side, th a t is the west side. This would give a lounge of approxim ately 3 0 ft. in length, a din ing room adjoining, and an additional bedroom w ith ba th room, etc., over.

The barbeque in its present position allows for meals to be cooked near the shelter o f the porch and near the dining room, in which meals may be served th a t have been cooked outside.

The rooms on the upper floor consist o f a study w ith a porch, a large sub-divided room for two children, a master bedroom w ith a dressing recess, and the bathroom, etc. The children's room has a central sliding partition o f three lig h t doors, a llow ing spaciousness or privacy as required. There are b u ilt- in cupboards in the children's room, a linen cupboard in the passage, and cupboards and dress-

34 S A. ARCHITECTURAL RECORD, SEPTEMBER, 1953

Above : The living room looking towards the fireplace and showing the fitting housing a cocktail cabinet and radiogram. At right is a glimpse of the entrance hall and stairs. Below : View of the dining area showing the combination display and sideboard fitting which defines the two areas.

S A. ARCHITECTURAL RECORD, SEPTEMBER, 1953 35

S I T E P L A N

ing table in the dressing room o f the master bedroom.

The bathroom is designed to allow simultaneous use of the bath, basin and shower by a d iffe ren t person in each cubicle. The divisions are made of terrazzo panels w ith curta ins to the openings. This com partm entalized bathroom— an idea which orig inated in Am erica— gives the occupants o f the house the luxury o f what amounts to two bathrooms.

A feature o f the contruction is the deta il which allows a continuous band of windows to the bedrooms w ith a tim ber beam over. This beam is supported by channel-iron m ullions into which the ends o f the d ivid ing walls o f the bedrooms are bu ilt.

The sliding door from the lounge to the terrace is o f " universal section," welded to the sliding gear which is cast into the beam over. This does away w ith the trouble caused by warping or largesized wooden doors in th is clim ate.

The colour scheme was carefu lly thought out in consultation w ith the arch itect's wife. The walls o f the lounge, which are mostly o f wood panelling

w ith wood fitt in g s , are toned in colours from a lig h t beige to brown and rust, set o ff w ith lime- green curtains. The same colour scheme is echoed in the materia ls o f the fu rn itu re . The kitchen walls are white and the fitt in g s are cream with signal red door frames. The main bedroom walls and cupboards are ivory w ith b righ t gold-yellow to pelmet and door frames.

The children's bedroom is in two colours, pale green and pale grey, and are used a lterna tive ly in each com partm ent on walls and woodwork respectively. The study walls are pale grey, w ith the pinning board in rust, and this colour is repeated on the door frames.

As fa r as the site is concerned lit t le explanation is needed as the landscaping is extremely simple. An a ttem pt has been made to derive the maximum use from the half-acre stand, and th is has been successful in as much as the site gives the impression of being even bigger than it really is. The house is turned d irectly to the north and also to wards the view. Planting consists m ainly o f lawns, trees and shrubs as shown on the block plan.


U N I V E R S I T Y O F N A T A L S C H O O L O F A R C H I T E C T U R EFO U R TH A N N U A L E X H IB IT IO N A N D PR IZE-G IV IN G , M A Y , 1953

The Fourth Annual Exhibition of Students' work was held in Howard Hall on the campus a t Durban from Tuesday the 5th May to Friday the 8th May, 1953. The exhib ition was opened by the President o f the N atal Provincial Institu te o f A rchitects, Mr. Keith Gow. Professor P. H. Connell presided and a large and representative gathering was present a t the ceremony.

Professor Connell in his opening address said: M y firs t pleasure and duty is to welcome you a ll, visitors, parents and students to this, the fourth annual exhib ition and prizegiving of the School o f A rch itecture. I t is particu la rly g ra tify ing to see a number of practising architects and quan tity surveyors here this afternoon, we value the ir support especially, and trus t th a t the work displayed w ill commend itse lf to them. M y second duty is to report b rie fly on the activ ities o f the year. The School continues to grow in size, more especially

in the fu ll- t im e degree courses. The numbers this year are:—

ARCHITECTS Fu ll-tim e 95 P art-tim e 27

Tota l 122Q U A N TIT Y SURVEYORS Fu ll-tim e 6

P art-tim e 17Tota l 23

PIETERMARITZBURG 10Tota l 155

These figures represent a 7% increase in the total numbers and a 22% increase in fu ll- t im e students as compared w ith last year.

During the past year the s ta ff position has m ate ria lly improved. Two new members have

General view of the main display surface showing the work of the Second and Third year students. The false ceiling is in blue celophane and carries the suspended "Mobile”

S.A. ARCHITECTURAL RECORD, SEPTEMBER, 1953 37

joined the s ta ff o f studio masters— M r. D. Dyke- W ells, a graduate o f W itw atersrand University and M r. E. W aterm eyer, o f Cape Town, bringing the quota of fu ll- t im e s ta ff up to the figure of 7. Unfo rtuna te ly in a hard world we cannot make these gains w ithou t some sacrifice, and it has been necessary to reduce our pa rt-tim e lecturers in ind ividual subjects. We have also had some losses, p a rt icu la rly th a t o f Miss Davies our A r t Mistress, whose work in L ife Drawing was o f such value to the jun io r years. We hope th a t her absence w ill be tem porary and th a t she w ill re turn when she has completed her present course of studies. Though improved, much remains to be done to consolidate and stab ilize the s ta ff s ituation. We have as yet no fu ll- t im e post in q u a n tity surveying and we need more posts on the permanent establishment, as opposed to temporary appointm ents, before we can be sure th a t the ground gained can be held w ith certa in ty. I can assure you th a t the University is doing its u tm ost to complete the basic establishm ent o f the teaching s ta ff as rapidly as possible.

An event o f im portance, o f which we are very proud, has been the award to one of our d is tin guished students, M r. E. W . Chandler, o f one of the Union post-graduate Scholarships awarded annually in the University. These Scholarships are provided by the Government to give opportun ity for promising students to do higher studies and research based on the work they have already done in the ir U niversity courses. The Scholarship is for two years and carries a value o f £500 per year. M r. Chandler w ill go overseas for two years' study.I may mention th a t th is Scholarship is available to candidates in any departm ent o f the University, preference being given to those who have completed a five year course. The knowledge o f the existence o f th is Scholarship should be an encouragement to jun io r students who wish to carry the ir studies a stage fu rthe r than the m inim um permissible standard for registra tion. The past year has been one of consolidation, no fundam ental changes in tra in ing policy have been introduced, but a tten tion has been given by the s ta ff to g rea ter thoroughness, particu la rly in the basic courses.

* ★ *As in the earlier years we are continu ing the

policy o f regarding architecture as a compound of a rt and science. The sciences continue to form a large part o f the early curricu lum , although they are presented fo r the most part w ith a bias towards the ir eventual application in build ing : Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Geology.

O f the arts, drawing and presentation are param ount in the early years, and m ain ta in throughout the course the ir place as a major study.

Stress is laid on the theoretical approach to design and to the study o f aesthetics as applied to architecture. We try to encourage the student to go through life w ith his eyes open. To d irect and analyse the visual surroundings and to so equip himself w ith a discipline which w ill enable him to crystallise his ideas and subsequently to synthesize the elements of composition in the act o f creative design.

The practical lim ita tions which govern the a rch itect in the process o f design also receive a great deal o f a tten tion : structura l lim ita tions are s tu died a t all stages from the broad concept down to the fu ll-s ize details ; economic lim ita tions receive consideration, so fa r as th is is possible in students' work ; study o f the requirements of the plan and the interpre ta tion o f the clients needs form a m ajor part o f the design work in all years, beginning w ith very simple problems in the firs t year, and increasing in com plexity as the student progresses through the course. The nature and properties o f build ing materia ls are lim iting factors about which the student needs to learn a good deal — he w ill, o f course, continue w ith th is type of learning long a fte r he has qua lified— and this forms an integral part o f the process of learning to design.

In general, the policy is to regard Design as the backbone of the course, all other courses being contribu tory to it, whether they be aesthetic, scientific , professional or simply factua l and practica l in nature. We hope, by this policy, to be able to produce men who have a balanced and competent approach to the ir cra ft.

In the case o f Q uantity Surveyors, Quantities occupies a place corresponding to th a t o f Design in the A rch itectura l courses. The process o f design is greatly aided by three-dimensional studies and the policy o f encouraging such studies through the medium of model m aking continues. The equipment o f the workshop is proceeding well and it w ill not be long before all the necessary tools and other fac ilities w ill be made available to students. This policy w ill be continued and extended to enable fu ll-s ize prototypes o f certa in components as well as scale models o f buildings to be made.

You w ill be able to judge, from the work displayed on the stands, the degree to which this policy is succeeding. We would p a rticu la rly like to know the views of practising architects, in this

38 S.A. ARCHITECTURAL RECORD. SEPTEMBER, 1953

Abstract composition of rectangular forms, poster colour : S. A. Schultz. (I).

View of the Third Year display of abstract compositions in three dimensions.

S A. ARCHITECTURAL RECORD, SEPTEMBER, 1953 39

connection, and I want to encourage them to come forward w ith the ir suggestions— and criticism s, if need be.

★ ★ ★The School has continued to expand the a rch i

tectura l collection in the library, up to the lim it of financia l resources available, which have been assisted by certa in donations, and small though it be, the collection is now widely representative of all branches o f a rch itectura l and build ing knowledge. Special a tten tion has been paid to the history o f architecture which is now well covered in a number of standard reference works. M ention should also be made o f the collection of current Journals. This is a service for which the students pay a nominal charge, and in return they are able to see illustra tions and artic les depicting the arch itecture o f the greater pa rt o f the world. I wish to remind the practising architects present th a t they are a t liberty to v is it the lib rary a t any time and to make use o f these valuable references.

An im portan t improvement and one like ly to give use to far-reaching developments in the School, has been the establishment o f a photocopying and photographic section, which is the nucleus of the projected arch itectura l laboratory. This has enabled the School to make a good sta rt on the collection o f slides and illustra tions, a necessity which i t has lacked for fa r too long. This u n it w ill be extensively used in the Design Laboratory, once this has become established, which we hope w ill be not long delayed.

★ ★ ★In the sphere of research, the Departm ent is

undertaking a survey of the Union's build ing m aterial resources, and is continu ing a small amount o f advisory work in connection w ith low-cost housing. We plan to extend the departm ent's research work in fie lds of practica l im portance by the establishment o f an a rchitectura l laboratory, the firs t component o f which w ill shortly be constructed. This work is carried out m ain ly by s ta ff members assisted by research assistants, but the department's fac ilitie s w ill in tim e be used also by undergraduate students, and we hope to a ttra c t students in the fie ld o f post-graduate studies.

The A rch itec tu ra l Students' Society has shown increased a c tiv ity during last year, having organised a large number of extra -curricu lum lectures and discussions and a very successful dance, and again th is year a braaivleis which was a roaring success, followed by a programme o f evening lectures and other events. A ll this, and the presence o f an adequate and enthusiastic fu ll- t im e s ta ff,

has helped to weld the various elements o f the- School into a working team.

★ ★ ★Three years ago, the School moved into what

seemed to be pa la tia l and com fortable quarters in a new wing of the M em orial Tower Building. A lm ost im m ediately it became necessary to encroach upon additional hutm ent space and today the School is crowded beyond its proper capacity, both in studio and in s ta ff accommodation. Indeed i t is appropriate to say a word o f appreciation to the s ta ff and students fo r the very e ffic ien t and accommodating way in which they have adapted themselves to circumstances which are sometimes rather trying.

A n tic ipa ting this d if fic u lty , the University has been generous in allowing the School to use a p o rtion o f the space in the new wing now under construction a t the back o f the M em orial Tower Building. We expect to move into this additional accommodation, comprising a studio, lecture-room and workshop a t the end o f August. Meanwhile plans for a new build ing to house the School of A rch itecture and the Department o f C ivil Engineering, w ith certa in laboratories and workshop fac ilities shared by the two departments, are being prepared. When b u ilt, th is build ing w ill accommodate a ll the departments of the School more conveniently under a single roof.

★ ★ ★Before closing I want to express my apprecia

tion, and th a t o f the s ta ff, to the students for the way in which they have worked, as a body, during the past year, and for the very good measures of progress which they have achieved. The course in architecture, contrary to the popular belief, is not an easy one to master, and I have been very satisfied indeed w ith the way in which you are going about your work. I must also pay a tribu te to the s ta ff. No one could have had greater loyalty and enthusiastic support than I have enjoyed from every member of the s ta ff, in all grades. They have jo in tly and severally, put in a prodigous am ount o f work, and by constant consultation have deployed both the ir energies and the ir g ifts to the best advantage. Perhaps the ir most a ttractive feature has been the ir perpetual willingness. Every one o f them appears to be only too eager to do 150% o f what he is supposed to do. If the students have worked hard and effective ly, it is in no small measure due to the slave-drivers into whose enthusiastic hands it has been the ir good fortune to fa ll !


I wish to acknowledge again the very generous support which the School has received from the University authorities. N ot only in the m atte r o f accommodation, but also in the provision o f s ta ff and departm ental funds, the University a u th o rities have supported our young School to the m aximum extent possible, and we owe a very big debt o f g ra titude to the Principal and the Council and to our Dean, Professor Daymond, for the ir interest, sympathy and practical help.

I now have the pleasant duty o f introducing to you the President o f the N atal Provincial Institu te Mr. Keith Gow, and of asking him to give away the prizes and to address you. M r. Gow is no stranger to the School, being an old s ta ff member who lectured in the School for a number o f years. He was w ith us during a d if f ic u lt period when we were contending w ith shortages o f s ta ff and poor accommodation, and his services in those days, were very greatly appreciated. He is here today to present the prizes so generously donated by his Institu te and by the Chapter o f S.A. Q uantity Surveyors, and the other prizes given by individual donors. Our thanks are due to a ll those individuals and bodies which have provided this means of encouraging the students. Ladies and Gentlemen,I w ill now ask M r. Gow to present the prizes.

* « * *Acceding to th is request, M r. Keith Gow pre

sented the prizes which were awarded as follows :

ArchitectureNatal Provincial Institu te Prizes : 1st year, A.

A. G. Wade ; 2nd year, J. W . Belderson ; 3rd and 4 th years, (no award); 5th year, E. W . Chandler ; W orking Drawings Prize : 3rd year, B. O 'N e ill ; Calvert M cDonald Studentship Prize: J. B. Gravel I; Professor's Prize (best a ll-round student in any ye ar): E. W . Chandler.

Q uantity SurveyingChapter's Prize (best student in Quantities) :

1st year, C. D. C. Cahill ; 2nd year, (no award) ; 3rd year, R. A. Goldstone ; Final year, I. Robertson ; L. Paul Memorial Prize (awarded for best work in Quantities in the Fourth or Final Year) : R. L. A tkinson ; Bell-John Prize (awarded to best a ll-round student in any year) : R. L. Atkinson.

In congratu lating the prizewinners, M r. Gow had a word for those who had not achieved mention ; next year, he reminded them, they would have another opportun ity. He said tha t for many reasons the opportun ity o f being present a t the ceremony gave him a great deal o f pleasure.

" F irs tly ," he stated, " I am taken back to my own student days— not so fa r o ff— and I can well imagine the organisation, e ffo rt, and perhaps at times misgivings, th a t go to make up an exhibition of this kind. Secondly, for a short time I was a student a t th is school when it was housed in the C ity Building, and later I became a member of the part-tim e s ta ff so th a t I return as an " Old Boy " in more ways than one. In addition, my Institu te is v ita lly interested in the students o f our Profession in this Province, as is the South A frican Institu te o f A rch itects in these students th roughout the country. They, the students, are often to ld th a t i t is a fte r they are qua lified th a t they must begin to learn the business side o f the ir profession. This I suppose is true in some respects but th is afternoon I wish to mention the other side o f the question.

In practice, many factors come into play— finance, tim e, controls, bye-laws and of course the c lient, who, let me assure you, can be a fa r more severe and much less informed c ritic than any University lecturer. For these reasons i t is o ften not possible in an o ffice to give as many m anhours of a tten tion as one m ight wish to research and detail. A Sub-Committee of the Central Council o f the South A frican Ins titu te , formed to consider today's rising build ing costs, reports tha t much can be done by the architects to reduce these by the proper preparation o f contract documents and careful control and adm in is tra tion o f these contracts.

I t is no longer possible to discuss fu ll-s ize details w ith the tradesmen on the sit, when fina l decisions were so often quickly and conveniently sketched on a nearby wall. Since those days build ing has become increasingly complex and it is a t the University, I feel, th a t the student— particu la rly the fu ll- t im e student— has the opportu n ity and fa c ility for the study o f this development.

I would put th is suggestion to the students— realising as a past lecturer th a t i t is probably an op tim istic one— th a t i t is possible for them to go a long way in helping the ir profession and the build ing public, by a thorough study not only o f the more interesting a rchitectura l issues, but also the very im portan t details o f the necessary procedure for the ir proper application under today's conditions."

Declaring the Exhibition open, M r. Gow referred to his own preview earlier in the afternoon and


expressed the conviction th a t the gathering would derive equal pleasure from viewing the work on display.

If the Exhibition gave pleasure to a ll, i t occasioned surprise in many. The interio r o f Howard Hall had been transformed by the students into an environm ent ostensibly more congenial to the display o f the ir work. V isitors, on acclim atising, accepted the u ltram arine cellophane ceiling meekly enough and stood in respectful awe o f the three-

speed sheet a lim unium mobile, but stared in frank disbelief a t the neo-V ictorian paper sculpture cartouches announcing the work of the various years. As a t the previous exhibitions, the work generally showed a m ounting standard of competence in design and draughtmanship, while a representative selection of the best work gave evidence o f the ve rsa tility o f the School's approach to design, there being lit t le tendency to applied dogma and stylisticism.

Design for a non-Conformist church group - Hall, Church, Belfry, model: David Poynton (II).

Analysis and presentation of an historical subject : The Dovecote at Koornhoop, Scraperboard ; Hans Hallen (IV).

42 S A. ARCHITECTURAL RECORD, SEPTEMBER, 1953

I.S.A.A. FILE N o. B.S. I & 2

B U I L D I N G S C I E N C E P U B L I C A T I O N SB U ILD IN G SCIENCE PU BLIC ATIO N S C.S.I.R., N A T IO N A L B U ILD IN G RESEARCH IN S TITU TE Review o f Recent Publications B u lle tin No. 9Th is b u lle tin conta ins six papers o f which abstracts are g iven in each case.1. P re lim inary Report on Level Observations a t Leeuhof, V ereenig ing, by B.A. K antey and G. W . Donaldson, Soil M echanics D ivision.

Level observations have been taken for the past two years on experim enta l in sta lla tions, founded on expansive c lay a t Leeuhof. P re lim inary results o f these observations are reported and ten ta tive in te rp re ta tio n s p u t forward.2. Laboratory C rite ria fo r the Recogn itio n o f Expansive Soils, by B. A . Kantey and A . B. A . B rin k , Soil M echanics D iv ision.

Labora to ry c r ite r ia , based on the A tte rb e rg L im it tests and Casagrande's P las tic ity C ha rt, have been established as a gu ide to the recogn ition o f expansive soils.

3. Some Laboratory Studies o f the M ig ra tio n o f M o is tu re in Soils under Tem perature Gradients, by J. E. Jennings, D irec to r, P. R. B. Heym ann, Soil M echanics D ivision, and L. W olpe rt, Techn ica l Assistant.

As a resu lt o f theore tica l analysis and labo ra to ry experim ents, i t is shown tha t p a rtia l sa tu ra tio n o f the soil is a necessary cond ition before flo w o f m oisture under a tem pera tu re g rad ien t can take place. Associated e lectrica l p o ten tia l g rad ients are o f a varied na tu re not necessarily d ire c tly associated w ith the tem perature g rad ients. I f is a lso shown th a t the in it ia l ra te o f m o is tu re change o f any elem ent in a sam ple soil subjected to a tem pera tu re g ra d ien t, is considerab ly a ffec ted by changes in the overall pressure ex is ting in the system. The conclusion is reached th a t transfe r o f m oisture in soils under tem perature g rad ients is probably due p rim a rily to trans fe r o f vapour under the vapour g ra d ien ts caused by the d ifferences in tem perature.4. The D irect M easurem ent o f the N a tu ra l M o is tu re C onten t o f U nsa tu rated Soils, by L. W o lp e rt, Technica l A ssistan t to the D irector.

In February and again in December, 1951, the m o is tu re con ten t p ro files beneath an open po rtion o f the fie ld and beneath an im perm eable concrete slab a t V ereenig ing, an expansive soil area, were de te rm ined by d ire c t measurement. Results o f these m easurements are trea ted s ta tis tica lly in order to determ ine the e ffe c t o f the concrete slab on the m oisture p ro file , bo th experim enta l errors and the na tu ra l va ria tio n being taken in to account. T he na tu ra l va ria tion was found to be too la rge to enable the changes in m o isture con ten t, causing heaving o f the concrete slab, to be detected. The corre la tion between liqu id

and p las tic lim its and n a tu ra l m oisture con ten t is discussed and the poss ib ility o f in te rp re tin g m o is tu re contents in term s o f concepts is suggested.

5. Some Reduced Cost Norm s fo r N ative Housing, by A . L. Glen, Costs D ivision..

Because the cost norm cannot always be used as a fa ir basis o f com parison, the idea o f "reduced cost n o rm s" w hich could be applied to houses o f reduced construction was evolved. The developm ent o f the f ir s t reduced cost norms, v iz . 9 in . b r ick -o n -e d g e " r a t - t r a p b o n d " construction and 4-J in. b rickw ork p lastered ex te rna lly , is described in th is paper. The " ra t - t r a p b o n d " construction showed a saving o f a pp rox im a te ly £ 27 and the 4 | in. b rick construction a saving o f a pp rox im a te ly £ 33 on th e cost norm .

6. The S truc tu ra l Requirements of Single-storey N a tive Houses, by N . D.N a than , Engineering D ivision.

The paper discusses the loads which sm all houses m ay be ca lled upon to w ithstand . N orm al m ethods o f s tru c tu ra l analysis be ing inapprop ria te , a technique o f app ly ing test loads to com ple ted prototypes was evolved. These tests were applied to o rthodox constructions o f fo u r general classes: conventio n a l constructions w ith reduced s tan dards, poured concrete constructions, concrete slab constructions and b lock constructions. Extra p u r lin anchorages were found to be necessary in some o f th e houses tested. In o the r respects they were genera lly sa tis facto ry .

The Role o f N ative Housing Research in the Provision o f Housing fo r the Urban Bantu, by J. E. Jennings, D irecto r, N .B .R .I. (R eprin t fro m "M u n ic ip a l A f fa irs " , V o l. X V I I I , Nos. 2 0 5 , 2 06 ).

T he a u th o r reviews the considerable body o f research and inves tiga tion w hich has been carried ou t on N a tiv e Housing. T h is review, w h ich flows fro m the team e ffo r t between the N a tiv e A ffa irs Depa rtm e n t, the N a tio n a l Housing C om m ission, the Local A u th o ritie s , the bu ild in g professions and th e N a tiona l B u ild ing Research In s titu te , covers the fie ld fro m socio-econom ic studies, th rough m in im um standards o f accom m odation to cost o f housing, and makes reference to the experim ents ca rried ou t a t W itb a n k and the K w a-Them a tow nship, Springs.

Experim enta l HouseIn tensive research w ork is con tinu ing

in the U nion to prevent the c rack ing o f bu ild ings th rough stresses imposed by the so-ca lled "heav ing ea rths” — a phenomenon o f widespread occurrence th roughou t m ost o f A fr ic a . I t is caused by an increase in the m o is tu re con ten t o f the soil under the b u ild in g a fte r co n

s truc tion . T he increased m o isture causes the clay to swell and th is d is to rts fo u n da tions in bu ild ings o f norm al cons truc tio n w ith consequent severe c rack ing o f walls and heavy repa ir costs.

A n expe rim en ta l house b u ilt by the N a tio n a l B u ild ing Research In s titu te a t D anville , P re to ria , m ay ho ld the so lu tion to th e prob lem . It is supported by on ly th ree re la tive ly sm all founda tion pads one a t each e x tre m ity o f the rear w all and the th ird in the m idd le o f the fro n t w a ll. T he e x te rio r b rick walls are re in forced to fo rm deep beams, as are the tw o m a in in te rio r d iv id in g walls, m aking the house, in e ffe c t, a box resting on three po ints. Since the flo o r o f the box is a plane, there can be no d is to rtio n when any one o f the three supporting pads "h e a ve s " or rises, fo r a p lane supported a t on ly three po in ts can t i l t in any d ire c tio n w ith o u t s e ttin g up a d d itio n a l stresses. W ere fo u r supports used, "h e a v in g " by one w ould create uneven stresses leading to cracks in the walls.

The house a t D anv ille was com pleted on ly to roo f he ig h t a b o u t five m onths ago. In s ig n ifica n t cracks developed when the w alls took th e ir f irs t load but these could easily be sealed and hidden w ith plaster.

T he walls, re in fo rced w ith bo th ve rtic a l and ho rizo n ta l steel, a re b u ilt up on wooden sh u tte rin g runn in g from the one rear w a ll support to the o th e r; ou t to an unsupported corner; from there, over the cen tra l support o f the fro n t w all to the o th e r unsupported corner and fro m there back to th e s ta rtin g po in t. T he sh u tte rin g is removed when the walls have set.

A d w a rf w a ll is then b u ilt round the ou tside o f the house to mask the gap between the ground and th e walls.

Since the m ain in te r io r walls, w hich are also b u ilt in th e fo rm o f deep beams, have to be placed where they can give the house m ost r ig id ity , scope fo r in te r io r design is lim ite d . A new expe rim enta l house w ill soon be b u ilt a t W e l- kom in the Free S tate go ld fie lds where the w hole flo o r w ill be a re in fo rced concrete slab carried on the ou tside walls and ab le to ca rry in te rio r w alls b u ilt o f hollow tiles . These inside w alls can then be placed wherever th e a ch ite c t wants them .

It is estim ated th a t a house o f 1 ,000 square feet, b u ilt on the lines o f the one a t D anville , w ill cost abou t £ 1 0 0 more than a conventiona l s tru c tu re o f s im ila r size,SOUTH A FR IC A N BUREAU OF S T A N

DARDSH aving com pleted a num ber o f speci

fica tio n s fo r the cons tituen ts o f pa in ts , the p a in t section o f the South A fr ic a n Bureau o f Standards is now concen tra ting on ready m ixed p a in t products and has com pleted s tandards fo r th ree types o f p a in t. These are cold w ater d istem per fo r in te r io r use, red lead base p rim er

S.A. ARCHITECTURAL RECORD. SEPTEMBER, 1953 43

fo r s tru c tu ro l steel, and n o n -re fle c tive o live green cam ouflage enam el. Copies o f th e spec ifica tions may be obta ined fro m the South A fr ic a n Bureau o f S tandards, P riva te Bag 191, P re to ria , a t 5 / - per copy, post free.

T he spec ifica tions fo r cold w ater d istem per (S.A.B.S. 3 2 2 : 1951) covers non- washable d is tem per in powder fo rm , in five s tandard colours and makes provision fo r an u n lim ite d num ber o f a d d itiona l colours. C hem ical and physical requ ire m ents are prescribed, inc lud ing m ix ing and a p p lica tio n properties, re flectance and co lour. In a d d itio n , tests fo r the d e te rm in a tio n o f these properties are in cluded.

Four types o f prim ers are dea lt w ith in the spec ifica tion fo r red lead base prim ers fo r s tru c tu ra l steel (S.A.B.S. 3 1 2 : 1 951 ). Types I and II are in tended fo r use on bridges and s im ila r s tructu res and on o ther ferrous m eta l surfaces. Type I I I is in tended fo r use in p a in tin g thorough ly clean iron and steel surfaces and Type IV is p a rtic u la r ly su itab le fo r use on s tructu res subjected to severe h u m id ity or to fresh w ater im m ersion.

N o n -re fle c tiv e o live green cam ouflage enam el, ch ie fly used by the U n ion Defence Force, when made accord ing to the S.A.B.S. spec ifica tions (3 9 6 : 1952), w ill be able adequate ly to w ith s ta n d the cond itions o f use.

Recent S.A.B.S. p ub lica tions fo r raw m ate ria ls fo r pa in ts cover solvent segregated p ilcha rd o il, raw tung o il, red lead p igm en t and z inc chrom e p igm ents, see lis t in A.S.C. File N o. G .I . , December 1952 issue o f the "R e c o rd ".

THE STATE L IBR AR Y, PRETORIA N a tio n a l Lending D epartm ent

The State L ib ra ry is a free in s titu t io n and is expected, as fa r as its finances p e rm it, to supply Europeans anywhere in South A fr ic a w ith books w hich cannot be conven ien tly or econom ica lly obta ined by them in any o the r way.

T he fo llow ing are re levan t rules:W here possible a pp lica tions to the

S ta te L ib ra ry fo r books by students and readers liv in g in places o th e r than Preto ria , should be sent th rough th e ir local lib ra ry . I t is o f g rea t im portance th a t borrowers should realise th a t the S tate L ib ra ry is an in te g ra l p a rt o f the N a tio nal L ib ra ry Service; i t fo rm s a reserve fo r the supply o f books w h ich local lib ra ry au th o ritie s e ithe r cannot a ffo rd or buy, or do n o t fee l ju s tif ie d in buying ow ing to the sm all loca l demand.

W here an ap p lica n t is no t a member o f a local lib ra ry , o r fo r o the r reasons o u t o f touch w ith a loca l lib ra ry , books w ill be supplied on paym ent o f a re tu rn able deposit o f 7 / 6 . Such deposit may require to be increased a t the d iscretion o f the S tate L ib ra rian .

U sually on ly tw o books may be borrowed a t a tim e , b u t the case o f any reader engaged on a lite ra ry com position, or research w ork, w h ich necessitates concu rre n t reference to th ree or more works, w ill be specia lly considered.

Books w ill be forw arded postage paid, b u t in a ll cases the borrow ing lib ra ry

or borrowers under these rules, m ust pay a ll charges in connection w ith the re tu rn o f books, and m ust undertake to m ake good any loss o f, or damage to , books borrowed. Books sent by registered post m ust, in a ll coses, be re turned by registered post.

W henever possible, in tend ing borrow ers should give a lte rna tives when a pp ly ing fo r books under these rules.

A ll books m ust be re tu rned as soon as fin ished w ith , and in any case w ith in one m onth , provided th a t an extension may be gran ted i f there is no o ther reader w a itin g fo r the book.

Books should be applied fo r as fa r as possible by s ta tin g fu ll name o f au thor and t it le . On request a lis t o f books an any spec ific sub ject w ill be com piled, as the tim e perm its , and supplied.

AR C H ITE C TU R A L SCIENCE C O M M ITTEE " SUMMER SCHOOL "

A Second "S um m er S chool" session w ill aga in be held in Johannesburg a t th e U n ive rs ity o f the W itw a te rs rand , fro m M onday 21s t to Friday 2 5 th Septem ber inclusive. M em bers w ill shortly receive a c ircu la r from C entra l Council g iv ing th e de ta iled program m e o f lectures and events.

U N ITE D STATES IN F O R M A T IO N LIBR AR Y

The fo llo w in g le tte r fro m th e U n ited S tates In fo rm a tio n L ib ra ry is published fo r general in fo rm a tio n :—

It is w ith pleasure th a t we in fo rm you th a t the U n ited States In fo rm a tion L ib ra ry has received a com plete set o f s tandard spec ifica tions o f the A m erican Standards Association. T h is federa tion , a non-gove rnm en ta l o rgan isa tion , represents more than 100 trade associations, techn ica l societies, professional groups, and consum er organisations. I t is not to be confused w ith the N a tio n a l Bureau o f Standards, an o ff ic ia l governm ent agency. The set o f standards we have received numbers more than 1,000 items and covers the fie lds o f c iv il eng ineer- and construc tion , m echanica l eng ineering, e lectrica l engineering, m ateria ls and m e ta llu rg y , rubber, chem ical industry, te x t ile industry , m in ing , pu lp and paper industry , pho tography, pe tro leum products, sa fe ty standards, and a group o f m iscellaneous standards.

M em bers are in v ite d to consu lt these pub lica tions as the need arises in the U n ited States In fo rm a tio n L ib ra ry , 25, B ecke tt's Build ings, 6 7 , President Street, Johannesburg.

N A T IO N A L BUREAU OF STANDARDS,U.S.A.

Announcem ents o f New Publications Fire Resistance o f Concrete Floors, byDaniel S. Goalw in, N a tio n a l Bureau o f Standards B u ild ing M a te ria ls and S tructures Report 134, 1 1 pages, 13 figures, 2 tables, 1 5 cents.

The report is in tended to a id bu ild ing a u th o ritie s and regu la to ry groups in evalu a tin g the fire -res is tance characte ris tics

o f concrete flo o r constructions and fD give designers and builders a basis for the selection o f constructions which w ill m eet f ire resistance requirem ents. The increasing use o f concrete slab floors in indus tria l and com m ercia l bu ild in g and m u ltip le res identia l dw ellings makes adequate fire -res is tance ra tings o f these com ponents desirable. The proper selection o f fire -re s is ta n t flo o r m a te ria l and the closure o f ve rtica l openings can res tr ic t fires in large bu ild ings to one floo r fo r a considerable leng th o f tim e , a llo w ing abatem ent measures to be taken in the rest o f the bu ild ing .

Fu ll-sca le tests were made in accordance w ith the Am erican Society fo r Testing M a te ria ls and the Am erican Standards Association spec ifica tions for f ire tests. T h is report covers the results o f 1 i sm all-sca le and fo u r fu ll-sca le fire -endu rance tests on m ono lith ic concre te floors made w ith s iliceous-gravel aggregates. The tests on the sm a ll- scale re in fo rced slabs o f fo u r- to e ig h t- inch thickness were carried o u t p rim a rily to dete rm ine the re la tionsh ip between flo o r th ickness and f ire resistance. Am ong the slabs were a series o f six 2 1 - and 3 -in ch th ic k floors tested to de te rm ine the f ire resistance o f concrete floors constructed w ith p re fabrica ted lig h tw e ig h t concrete joists.

Live Loads on Floors in Build ings, byJohn W . Dunham , G u tto rm N . Brekke, and George N. Thom pson, N a tio n a l Bureau o f Standards B u ild ing M a te ria ls and Structures Report 133, 27 pages, 20 cents.

The report presents in fo rm a tio n on flo o r loads found in various occupancies, such as o ffic e bu ild ings, stores, fa c to ries, and warehouses. I t gives deta ils concern ing a recent survey in w h ich the w e igh t and d is tr ib u tio n o f goods, equ ip m ent, and occupants were ob ta ined floor by flo o r and area by area.

S truc tu ra l design o f bu ild ings depends upon knowledge o f the loads to which such s tructu res may be subjected and upon knowledge o f bu ild in g m ateria ls and s tru c tu ra l systems. Because da ta on the loads a ffe c tin g bu ild ings are ra ther meager and because conservation o f m ateria ls is becom ing increasing ly u r gen t, NBS found it advisable to review p e rtinen t da ta on loads and to sum m arize them fo r the use o f designers and bu ild in g code au tho rities .

T o ob ta in a d d itiona l in fo rm a tio n on the live loads in selected areas, NBS arranged to have fie ld w ork done by the Public Bu ild ings Service. The results o f the survey c o n s titu te the p rinc ipa l pa rt o f th is p ub lica tion . A m ethod o f re ducing the assumed value fo r live load on s tru c tu ra l members supporting large flo o r areas is also described.

The above pub lica tions may be obtained on order from the G overnm ent P rin ting O ffice , W ash ing ton 25, D.C. Foreign rem ittances m ust be in U.S. exchange and should include an a d d itiona l one- th ird o f the pub lica tion price to cover m ailing costs.


TRADE NOTES AND NEWS

SPARRINGS FLEXIBLE SHELVING SYSTEMA system of flexib le shelving which orig inated in Sweden is now being manufactured in South A frica by Sparrings o f Cape Town. The system is simple in principle but is highly practical and o f great strength.

Brackets o f heavy gauge steel are constructed to slot into vertical wall bands which are easily fixed to any wall or partition by screws. The slots in the wall bands are 1 A in. apart so th a t the brackets can be placed a t any interval, thus o ffe ring a wide choice o f spacing between each shelf. The brackets themselves vary from 4 f in. (used w ith 6 in. shelves) to 18A in. (used w ith 20 in. shelves).

The wall bands are now being m anufactured in Johannesburg and the brackets w ill be pressed out in Durban. The South A frican made wall band is superior to the orig inal Swedish product" in th a t it is galvanized. A fu rthe r improvement is the fact th a t the number of slots between each screw hole has been standardised for all the d iffe re n t lengths o f wall band supplied. This standardisation means tha t, i f it is later decided to increase the number of shelves by adding a new section o f wall band, the intervals between the new shelves and the existing shelves remain constant.

The Sparrings system is by no means confined to wall shelves. The same type of wall band may be used to hang shelves inside cupboards or pantries.

The ve rsa tility o f the system is indicated by the m anufacturers' suggestion for a combined bedroom

All the shelving in the showroom is supported on Sparring brackets and wall bands.

An application of the shelving, with variations for the accomodation of books, magazines and portfolios.

wardrobe. This consists o f : a shelf near the top o f the wardrobe which acts as a hat rack and is supported on two brackets, on the underneath of which is fitte d a rod to accommodate coat hangers; lower down, two drawers supported on brackets ; and a t the bottom o f the wardrobe a shoe rack consisting of metal rods supported by two sloping brackets.

Some o f the many applications o f the Sparrings system are illustra ted in the drawings. In the sketch a t the top o f the page the shelving is shown as applied to an independent island display un it suitable for any shop or store. The brackets are fixed to double-sided independent supports which are screwed to the floor.

Two fu rthe r applications o f the shelving are illustra ted. One is a three-shelf u n it for storing long packages on the top she lf; rods and bars on the m iddle she lf; and tubes on the bottom shelf. This fitm e n t w ill commend itse lf especially to the hardware and builder's m ateria ls stockists.

The other un it is designed fo r the display or storage of tools. Spades or garden forks can be slung between two rods fixed by bolts in standard bracket holes. Below is a single rod carrying hooks or clips for household utensils or fo r carrying w a lk ing sticks.


Some different uses of Sparrings brackets on double-sided independent supports. Short lengths of " double-band ” can be used for centre-of-floor displays, counters or tables in shops.

Left.—A tube and bar carrier. The top shelf is for long packages; the centre shelf for rods and bars; and the bottom shelf for tubes. Right.—Spades or garden forks can be slung between two rods fixed by bolts in standard bracket holes. The single rod below carries hooks and clips for

household utensils.


VITREOUS ENAMELLED COMPONENTSChinese a rt, centuries old, has now been adapted to create a new South A frican industry and a new a rchitectura l technique. It has now been used for the firs t time in A frica in the construction of a new service sta tion in Cape Town.

Instead of the conventional brick or tile , the entire exterior o f the Prospect Garage jus t opened at M a itland is faced w ith vitreous enamelled steel sheets. A ll this is o f South A frican design and m anufacture throughout. It w ill last for ever.

It is produced in Cape Town where the only factory in the Cape area for the m anufacture of vitreous enamelled a rchitectura l components is in operation. M r. Peter West, the M anaging D irector, says:

" This process is centuries old. It was orig inated by the ancient Chinese whose exquisite rings, pendants and other decorative pieces were made by the principle which we have now adapted to modern a rchitectura l construction.

" -The secret resides in certa in minerals such as quartz clay and colour oxides which, under a given degree o f heat, v itr ify into a substance th a t is completely impervious to usage. It cannot be scratched; not even acid can eat into i t or fire destroy it. It w ill last as long as the Chinese jewellery i t was firs t used fo r."

For the exterior o f this new A tla n tic service s ta tion a t M a itland the vitreous enamelled panels are made in large convenient sections o f various shapes. These are then fitte d into position un til the entire facade is sheathed in vari-coloured ifle- time fin ish steel.

Cut to any desired size and formed into any shape, the steel sections are processed w ith various coloured enamels, and when erected on the site conform to the a rtis t's orig ina l design. The in t r icate formulae used fo r m anufacturing vitreous enamel were firs t used by the Chinese 300 B.C. Every colour o f the spectrum can be fa ith fu lly reproduced to textures ranging from an extremely high gloss to an absolute matte.

Enamel is sprayed on the component parts under te rr ific pressure a t ligh ting speed, a fte r which they are conveyed in to one of the largest furnaces of its type in the world, where the enamel is fused in to the steel a t nearly 1,600 Fahrenheit.

Decorative and coloured designs are then added and the panels re fired in the furnace. Lettering in contrasting colours is also fused in the same way. Separate Boxed Letters can be made which are fixed to the panels a fte r ins ta lla tion ; th is gives a particu la rly pleasing e ffec t from shadows formed by the raised surfaces.

N O T E S A N D N E W S

CHAPTER OF S.A. Q U AN TITY SURVEYORSMEMBERSHIP

The fo llow ing members have recently been enrolled : M r. R. D. Peverett, o f Pretoria, as a Practising Member ; M r. D. E. Daugherty, Durban, Mr. R. J. Thomson, Durban, and M r. A. B. West, D urban, as Salaried Members.TRANSFER

M r. J. J. Pansegrouw has transferred from Prac tis ing to Salaried Membership.PARTNERSHIPS

Messrs J. W alters and Simpson have opened a branch office a t 114, M argate Court, Margate, N ata l, under the name o f J. W alters and Simpson, w ith Mr. A. B. W est in charge o f the office.

M r, O. L W ard has le ft the partnership Wood, W instanley and W ard, the name of the firm now being Wood and W instanley, practising at

the same address.ADDRESS

Messrs. Venn and M ilfo rd have changed their address to 4 th Floor, Sasbank Building, 66 M arke t Street, Johannesburg. Phones 33-0247 and 33-0378.

ARCHITECTURAL RECORD, M A Y , 1947M r. V ic to r Glasstone is seeking a copy o f the

above issue o f the Record, and would be pleased if any reader who has a copy available would w rite to him c /o Standard Bank of South A frica , 9 N orthum berland Ave., London, W .C.2, s ta ting price.

CORRESPONDENT W ANTEDAmerican, C alifo rnia registered architect,

wishes to exchange letters on modern contem porary build ing, housing, reconstruction and univers ity design. I am interested in skiing, cycling, swimming and camping. Ralph M. W efe l, 3895, Berry Drive, Studio C ity, C alifo rn ia , U.S.A.


Photo : I. K. de Vries

Fred C. H a rris , A .R .I.C .S ., M .C .Q .S., o f Cape Tow n, President o f th e C hapter o f S.A. Q u a n tity Surveyors fo r the second year. M r. H a rris ' e lection m arked the f ir s t occasion, no t on ly during the life o f the C hap te r itse lf, b u t since the na tio n a l body o f Q u a n tity Surveyors was f ir s t fo rm ed in 1908, th a t th is o ffice has been held by a m ember ou tside the Transvaal.

Photo : M a rtin Gibbs

P. Visser, M .I.A ., President o f the O.F.S. P rovincia l In s titu te o f A rch itec ts . A n inde fa tigab le w orker, M r. Visser has not on ly served on the com m ittee fo r a num ber o f years b u t has carried o u t the arduous du ties o f H onorary Secretary, and has con tr ib u te d m uch to the estab lish ing o f a School o f A rc h itectu re in the U n ivers ity o f the O.F.S. in B loem fonte in .

TRANSVAAL PROVINCIAL INSTITUTE PROVINCIAL WORKLIS T OF ACCEPTED TENDERS FOR M A JO R P R O V IN C IA L B U ILD IN G SERVICES FOR QUARTER E N D IN G 31st M A R C H , 1953.

SERVICE ARCHITECTS Q U A N T IT Y SURVEYORS CONTRACTORS A M O U N T

Bloem hot School : E rection o f Hostel

Messrs. Bosman N ee th ling

and M r. A . Coetzee Messrs. H . Kop and Son

£ 4 9 ,8 6 0 S °Erection o f Southern Suburbs A .M .

H ig h School, JohannesburgD epartm enta l D epartm enta l M r. L. W estly £ 9 5 ,3 0 0 0 0

H eide lberg V o lks H igh School : A d d itio n s and A lte ra tio n s

Messrs. Geers, Geers and Partners

Messrs. S e lk irk and Gaisford

M r. B. D. Bouwer £ 3 9 ,4 0 0 0 0

Germ iston Boys' H igh School : A d d itio n s

M r. G. Candiotes M r. R. L. Lefeaux Messrs. G. V incen t and Co. (P ty .) Ltd.

£ 4 2 ,2 0 0 0 0

Erection o f School a t Schoemans- vi lie

M r. E. Schwartz M r. R. J. C. Prentice M r. C. G. H . Brandt £ 1 4 ,9 9 5 0 0

A lte ra tio n s and A d d itio n s to T u r f- fo n te in A .M . Jun io r and P rim ary Schools

Messrs. J a rre tt F rank lin

and 1 Messrs. T . M oore and Bell

Messrs. G. V incen t and Co. (P ty.) L td .

£44 ,471 1 / u

S.W .A. INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS

M r. J. A. Joel, M .I.A . (T .P .I.A .), has been e lected the firs t President o f the new South W est A frican Ins titu te o f A rch itects, and M r. F. H. C. Dixon M .I.A ., (T .P .I.A .), the firs t vice-President. On behalf o f a ll members we wish to o ffe r sincere congratulations to these two gentlemen, and to wish them successful terms o f office.

48 A

INSTITUTE COMPETITIONS

Competitions for the Robert Howden Prize, for the design o f non-European Housing and for the re-design of the Seal have been organised. These are a ll open to members and to students, who in the case o f non-European Housing only w ill not compete w ith members. Conditions of Com petition are available from The Registrar, Central Council.

S.A. ARCHITECTURAL RECORD, SEPTEMBER, 1953

Journal of the SA Architectural Institute PUBLISHER: University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg

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CONTENTS FOR SEPTEMBER 1953