Architectural Shambles

Sir—Victoria University is an acknowledged academic joke and administrative balls-up, but why must it also be an aesthetic disaster?

The new lecture theatre is only the latest addition to Vic's architectural anarchy. Evidently the 'varsity architects, or draughtsmen, or office-boys—whoever does the design for our buildings, think that if the buildings facing Kelburn Parade have bricks in them that there will be a unity of design, or something.

Why then have that cacky yellow stuff on the bottom two floors of Easterfield? Actually the only common observation I could make about the varsity buildings facing Kelburn Parade is that they get progressively worse as they go up hill.

This may give you an idea of what I think of our new lecture theatre, already —but wait... . Some imagination has been shown in its design: I admit it's unusual, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's good; and the curving inside wall in the foyer is interesting (reminiscent of the Otago Student Union−the 3rd best union in the four main centres —guess whose is the 4th best?). However, despite these good (?) points, the building doesn't fit in with any others on campus, and looks like a cross between a medieval fortress and a lavatory block. If the designer thought of it as a fortress type structure, a few long narrow slits in the facade would in my opinion, have added to this conception. These could be double glazed in dark glass to avoid the distraction of traffic movement and noise. But I'm afraid that the escape hatch, or ventilation hole, or whatever it is, plus drainpipe, does not achieve this.

Why can't our university be conceived of as an aesthetically pleasing whole rather than a architectural mish-mash and functional Cinerama cashier.

Don't try to find me to throttle me, I'll be gone before this letter is printed.

Yours,

Pat Bolster,

Victoria University Labour Club.