THE NEW GOVERNMENT 'OFFICES.
[TO THE EDITOR OP THE "SPROTATOR.1
you allow me a little space to call the attention of educated readers outside the architectural profession to the course which is being pursued by the Government in regard to the carrying out of the great new block of public offices to be erected in Parliament Street and Great George Street? The eminent architect who has made the general design for the building has unhappily died before its commencement. This untoward event seems to have been regarded by the authorities merely in the light of a chance to save a little money; the architect is dead, but we have got his plans, and we need not pay any more money for an architect; let the Office of Works carry them out. Every one who know' anything about the working out of an architectural design knows that half its success consists in the manner in which the details are designed in the architect's full- size detail drawings, studied and modified as the build- ing goes up. This is the moat difficult and delicate part of the work, and requires the hand and eye of an artist in architectural design. That the Office of Works are not competent to do it is sufficiently shown by the various Post Office buildings which they have carried out in different large towns, which are specimens of mere architectural common- place—or worse. If such a case occurred in France, the only thing thought of would be to put the carrying out of the building into the hands of one of the most eminent architects of the day, and the Government would be saverely criticised if they failed to do so. That is the course which ought to be pursued with the Government offices. To leave it in the hands of the Office of Works to do what they like with the design is a slight to the memory of Mr. Brydon, who was most par- ticular as to the details of his buildings, and will inevitably result in the building being spoiled in the carrying out.—I am, Sir, &c.,
H. HEATHCOTE STATHAM.
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