public buildings are informally grouped around the civic square, but yet in such a way that each receives its proper emphasis. Moreover, his design has a special merit inasmuch as he shows a dignified approach to the civic square in the form of a colonnade which serves as a grand portal to the “place” as
one approaches it from the old Town Hall. It is somewhat singular that this matter of the approaches to the square should have been so much neglected by the other competitors. Perhaps this is partly due to the fact that Birmingham has already been provided with a War Memorial, for otherwise what could have been better than a commemorative arch placed at the entrance of the new civic square? M. Louis Berthin, of Paris, who was awarded the eighth supplementary premium, shows a formal disposition of detached buildings, of which the most noteworthy feature is that he has incorporated the old Town Hall into the lay-out. This is a happy idea, for this famous building, instead of being left out in the cold, as in many of the other schemes, is given a conspicuous position on a subsidiary square, which is also flanked by the University and Library. Three other designs were highly commended, and show interesting features. Messrs. W. R. Davidge and G. A. Rose have paid special attention to the shopping facilities; Mr. James A. Swan, of Birmingham, has included in his scheme a highly necessary “municipal car park, ” while Mr. Alec G. Jenson, of Leamington Spa, shows a formal lay-out with good road intercommunications.
One of the most interesting of the non-premiated schemes is Design No. 13. The originator of this scheme has given to the civic place an extremely attractive shape, of which the east portion is an ellipse into which no less than six roads converge.
It is, however, questionable whether a civic “place” should partake of the character of a gigantic ‘‘round
point, ” for a road junction, no matter on what magnificent scale, is different in character from an architectural enclosure primarily intended for the dignified display of public buildings. This scheme is illustrated by a fine perspective drawing.
Methods of Representation.
One cannot survey the series of drawings exhibited at the Birmingham Art Gallery without reflecting on the great disadvantage of allowing competitors too much licence in the matter of the technique by which their designs are represented. In this particular point, it may be suggested that far too much licence has been permitted. In the conditions it is stated that “The drawings may be rendered in any manner considered most appropriate by the competitor. ” There was also a lack of precision in the instructions as to the actual contents of the drawings. Candidates were asked to supply, in addition to the main plan to a scale of 1/1250, “other drawings (not exceeding four in number) showing such details, traffic diagrams and views, as the competitor considers will best explain his design. ” To a puzzled enquirer who wanted to know whether he was expected to indicate elevations of the important buildings, the assessor vouchsafed the answer that “only a lay-out scheme was required. ’’ How the candidates could show ‘‘views’’ of their scheme without at least
indicating the elevations is not explained. The result of this ambiguity in the conditions was that every candidate had to begin his task with the harassing doubt as to what type of drawing he ought to submit. Thus, to be on the safe side, most of them chose to interpret BIRMINGHAM CIVIC CENTRE COMPETITION: SUPPLEMENTARY PREMIUM (£200).
L. M. Austin (Heston, Middlesex).
one approaches it from the old Town Hall. It is somewhat singular that this matter of the approaches to the square should have been so much neglected by the other competitors. Perhaps this is partly due to the fact that Birmingham has already been provided with a War Memorial, for otherwise what could have been better than a commemorative arch placed at the entrance of the new civic square? M. Louis Berthin, of Paris, who was awarded the eighth supplementary premium, shows a formal disposition of detached buildings, of which the most noteworthy feature is that he has incorporated the old Town Hall into the lay-out. This is a happy idea, for this famous building, instead of being left out in the cold, as in many of the other schemes, is given a conspicuous position on a subsidiary square, which is also flanked by the University and Library. Three other designs were highly commended, and show interesting features. Messrs. W. R. Davidge and G. A. Rose have paid special attention to the shopping facilities; Mr. James A. Swan, of Birmingham, has included in his scheme a highly necessary “municipal car park, ” while Mr. Alec G. Jenson, of Leamington Spa, shows a formal lay-out with good road intercommunications.
One of the most interesting of the non-premiated schemes is Design No. 13. The originator of this scheme has given to the civic place an extremely attractive shape, of which the east portion is an ellipse into which no less than six roads converge.
It is, however, questionable whether a civic “place” should partake of the character of a gigantic ‘‘round
point, ” for a road junction, no matter on what magnificent scale, is different in character from an architectural enclosure primarily intended for the dignified display of public buildings. This scheme is illustrated by a fine perspective drawing.
Methods of Representation.
One cannot survey the series of drawings exhibited at the Birmingham Art Gallery without reflecting on the great disadvantage of allowing competitors too much licence in the matter of the technique by which their designs are represented. In this particular point, it may be suggested that far too much licence has been permitted. In the conditions it is stated that “The drawings may be rendered in any manner considered most appropriate by the competitor. ” There was also a lack of precision in the instructions as to the actual contents of the drawings. Candidates were asked to supply, in addition to the main plan to a scale of 1/1250, “other drawings (not exceeding four in number) showing such details, traffic diagrams and views, as the competitor considers will best explain his design. ” To a puzzled enquirer who wanted to know whether he was expected to indicate elevations of the important buildings, the assessor vouchsafed the answer that “only a lay-out scheme was required. ’’ How the candidates could show ‘‘views’’ of their scheme without at least
indicating the elevations is not explained. The result of this ambiguity in the conditions was that every candidate had to begin his task with the harassing doubt as to what type of drawing he ought to submit. Thus, to be on the safe side, most of them chose to interpret BIRMINGHAM CIVIC CENTRE COMPETITION: SUPPLEMENTARY PREMIUM (£200).
L. M. Austin (Heston, Middlesex).