Newspaper Article 1932 – Two Distinct Features

TWO DISTINCT FEATURES

One-Storeyed Buildings: Colour Uniformity.

“NOT TAKING ANY RISK.”

In connection with the reconstruction of buildings in Hastings since the earthquake, two features impress themselves very clearly on the minds of the people. The first is the colour scheme of the new structure, and the second is the fact that so many of them are of only one storey.

These two features tend strongly to make a uniform town, and whether this is an improvement on pre-quake architecture or otherwise is mainly a matter of opinion. The majority of people seem to be quite pleased with the uniform colour scheme, but are not so enamoured of the prospect of so many one-storeyed buildings, which give an impression that the owners are “not taking any risk,” whereas the real reason is probably one of finance.

The fact that so many single-storeyed buildings have been erected does not mean that the town is doomed to such structures, for, in practically every case, foundations and other provisions have been made for the addition of further floors, and no doubt when better times come, and the need arises, this will be done.

In the meantime, the people are able to look on buildings of very simple but quite pleasing design, with very much improved shop fronts, and with an almost universal colour scheme of buff, with blue and bronze facings. Most of the new buildings have adopted this blue and bronze ornamentation, and the result is certainly very pleasing.