SCHOOL BUILDINGS AND SITES. 



By Arthur Hexry Reid, F.R.I.B.A., F.R.San. I. 



In submittingf this paper my object is to convince the lay mind 

 that a well-cstabHshed general knowledge of applied science is 

 necessary to the selection of sites and to the designing of school 

 buildings. 



For some years there has been, I feel, a tendency on the part 

 of Public Bodies to belittle the advice of scientists and professional 

 men, with a corresponding tendency to discount their opinions, 

 and, if possible, to act upon their own initiative. The excellent 

 organization and administration of the Education Department 

 has, of course, counteracted the tendency, and has doubtless so 

 far educated the public mind as to prepare it for the guidance 

 and advice of such bodies as the South African Association for 

 the Advancement of Science. 



In the hope of being useful to those who are interested in the 

 promotion of educational building schemes and of securing a dis- 

 cussion that can only conduce to sound knowledge of the subject, I 

 have ventured to submit this paper. 



I will deal with the site first and then touch upon the buildings. 



SITE. 



A school building site should be high, dry and with adequate 

 fall for the complete removal of surface water. Marshy land 

 should be avoided, and if subsoil water exists, drains for the 

 removal of the water should be constructed, or, better stilly 

 another site be selected. A damp subsoil causes many diseases, 

 such as diphtheria, typhoid fcA^er and rheumatism. Headaches 

 and languor generally result in a school where a damp atmos- 

 phere is breathed, for it is only natural when the temperature of a 

 schoolroom is raised that evaporation of moisture ft^om the soil 

 takes place as well as from the floors and walls, which would 

 probably be damp from the same cause. 



Should examination of a site show that portions are of 

 " made " ground, trial holes should be sunk to ascertain that no 

 animal or vegetable refuse has been buried there. On no account 

 should a building be erected above " made " ground, for, putting 

 aside the increased cost of foundations, the danger of gases and 

 other emanations, especially in warm humid weather, are apparent. 



Where possible a natural, hard, dry top soil with a gravel 

 subsoil should be selected, or, as alternatives, sand or sandy 

 clay. Pure clay retains moisture, is cold and affects the stability 

 of buildings, as it shrinks in dry, hot weather, and expands when 

 damp and cold, thus causing cracks in walls and in the surface 

 of paved floors, etc. 



