Evening Star Newspaper, June 26, 1926, Page 29

MONY] HOMES SECTION WASHINGTON, SIX OF MODEL HOMES ARE READY; TWO FURNISHED Three Remaining Houses tion / Open for Those Who Six of the nine ideal home proj- ects fostered by The Star in the better homes demonstration are com- pleted and will be open to the public tomorrow. All six of these model homes will be open for inspection from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. tomorrow and thereafter until the close of the exhibit. ‘Two of the six houses will be fully furnished and the four others will be | completely equipped with interior fixtures and decorations by the lat- ter part of next week. The remain- ing three of the nine model resi- dences will be ready within a_short while. Two of the uncompleted ones are the largest houses in the plan, and the other undertaking w back for some time, owing to sewer- age connections. The six projects that have been fully completed will give the gen- eral public an opportunity to study houses of vastly varied types and styles. Every effort has been put forth to encourage those interested in visiting these homes. Competent men will be in charge of each proj- ect to explain their structural and architectural features fully. Six Projects Completed. . The six projects fully completed are: The colonial detached model house at Thirteenth street and Alaska ave- nue, erected by L. 1% Breuninger & Sons, and designed by Victor Mindeleff. This house will also be completely furnished by W. B. Moses & Sons for inspection tomor- ginia model home, in Lee Heights, Va. erected by Ruby Lee Minar and designed by Ward Brown. The Maryland detached model home at Wynnewood Park, near Sil- ver Spring, Md., designed by Percy C. Adams by the Stam- bhaugh Con This house :has been furnished by the House & Herrmann Co. The semi-detached group at Thir- teenth and Upshur streets northeast, built by Walter Vaughn and designed by W. H. L. Fleming. The model row house group at West Virginia avenue and Queen street northeast, erected by C. H. Small and designed by J. Wilmer Smith. The model row house group at Fifth and Decatur streets, designed by Louis Justement, and erected by the Cafritz Construction Co. Three Others Progressing. The three other model homes that are not quite fully completed will also be interesting projects to visit, as they are near enough completed to give an adequate idea of what they will finally be, and also offer an op- portunity for interested persons to gain firsthand knowledge of good residential construction heneath the surface of the wall paper, the plaster, ote, These three houses, which will be held | FOR INSPECTION in The Star’s Demonstra- re Nearing Completion and Will Be Care to See Progress. ready shortly, are the stone colonial houses - at Thirty-fifth street and sachusetts avenue, the brick fan detached house in Wesley fleights, and_the Itallan community sroup at Fifth and Longfellow streets. The routes and directions, together with a map showing automobile routes to the model homes, will be found on subsequent pages of the | paper. Hundreds of people have already visited these houses during the course of their construction, and many in- quiries on the part of a large number of persons indicate that a considerable number have been awaiting the struc- tural completion of the houses. The public is invited to inspect | every section of each-house they visit, and to ask of those in charge any question in connection with the erec- tion or planning of the home that they desire. One of the main pur- poses of the demonstration is that it | will not only stand as an incentive to home ownership, structural sound- | ness and_architectural beauty, com- | bined with practicability, but that it will also serve as an educational medium to home owners and prospec- tive home owners. Work of Many Experts. Much can be learned from these houses which truly represent the com- | bined efforts of ‘many experts who {have spent their lives in designing and erecting houses of a type that is within the reach of the iarger part of the citizens of Washington, For those who are interested, infor- mation can be found at the various demonstration houses in regard to every type of residential construction popular in Washington. The general public can see the very last-minute development in residences from row houses to an elght-room tone detached house, with each style crected within the cost of what the ‘ordinary market value of a house of its tvpe would be. reduced for demon- E D have entered any of the houses. . Every piece of mate- rial or fixture placed in the model homes was done so at the regular mar- ket price to builders, so that the houses would actually be representa- tive of their type, not only in archi- tecture and construction, but also in cost. In the unprecedented building boom Ilhal has been evidenced in Washing- ton in the past few years and the rec- ord about to be smashed in construc- tion this year, there is evinced an increasing desire on the part of Wash- ingtonians to own- their own homes, and it is this spirit that The Star de- sires to foster in this undertaking as well as to guide the great development of the city in keeping with the ideal of Washington as the most beautiful capital in the world. — “One trouble with this country is that the ideas of so many people explode,” notes the Altamont Tjmes. » B 0, FIRE PROTECTION IN MODEL HOMES Every Precaution and Inno- vation Provided for Houses as Result of Study. Every precaution and. innovation has been provided to make the houses erected as part of The Star's model homes demonstration as near fireproof as possible. Thorough study of fire prevention methods and materials has been made. There is no such thing as an abso- Tutely fireproof building, for almost all materials are harmed to some degree by fire and smoke. But bulldings can be made nearly fireproof. It is pos- sible through giving rigorous attention to the laws of fireproofing to avoid general conflagrations, such as have devastated great areas of many large cltfes. When these laws are applied to the building of small homes there are complications that come from consid- eration of cost. Much can be done to confine fires once they have started, s0 that they may be extinguished be- fore they advance far through walls, floors and partitions. Outside Walls Obviously Safer. It is obvious that outside walls of masonry are much more fireproof than those of wood. In districts where bullding is congested and homes must stand close together, it is poor policy to build walls of any other material than masonry, and roofs must be fire- proofed as well. o ‘The advantages of outside walls of masonry are not limited to congested areas. They certainly stand first from the fireproofing point of view under any conditions, but even where the outside walls of houses are of this type, there are the inner partitions of wood, which should be so devised that fire cannot gain much headway in them. If the outer walls are of ‘wood, protective measures are neces- sary here also. Unstopped spaces between ®ooden Jjoists and studs serve as flues within which fires that have started from defective wiring or other causes often extend widely before they are found. Smoke is carried up these flues to the attic, often without its being seen until too late to stop a de- structive conflagration. _Obviously, 1t is worth while to stop off these places. Something may be done in this way by nailing . blocks across the beam ends where they bear on walls and by introducing at critical points in the wall some. incombusible materials, such as mineral wool, plaster, con- crete or brick masonry. Strips of Metal Lath. ! One of the best methods is to bend in strips of metal lath at these points 50 as to form loops or baskets, within which the incombustible material may be carried. 'The cross blocking or brigging _between studs' serves not only to brace the construction and thus to make such walls much more rigid, but is an effective method of stopping-the upward progress of-fire,- Zoening Sap o oo 1. Georfhn brick detached house at Wesley Heights. 2. Row houses at West Virginia house at avenue and Queen street northeast. 3. Stone colonial detached | y-fifth street and Massachusetts avenue. 4. Colonial stucco | house at Thirteenth street and Alaska avenue. 5. Italian type community houses at Fifth and Longfellow streets. 6. The Virginia model home at Lee Height: Va. 7. Semi-detached houses at Thirteenth and Upshur streets north- east. 8. Model row houses in northwest at Fifth and Decatur streets. 9. The Maryland model house at Wynnewood Park, near Silver Spring. BUILDING INSPECTOR PRAISES MODEL HOME CONSTRUCTION Series of Houses Sponsored by The Star Represent the Closest Compliance With D. C. Laws and Regulations Ever Attempted. BY COL. JOHN W. OEHMANN. Building Inspector of the District of Columbia. It is a sign of healthy growth when a community will organize and foster a movement to carry out a scheme of instructive home construction on a scale of great magnitude and involv- ing thousands of dollars, such as The Star's demonstration. It takes more than an advertising scheme to con- summate such an undertaking by a group of individuals all interested in building construction, but from di- ametrically opposite directions, the one concerned mainly with altruistic attainments and safe . construction. while the other strives to guarantee beauty and safety, but not overlook- ing the allimportant item of financ- ing. Safe construction is necessary and more easily attained than indi- vidualistic beauty and design. Such is the motive behind The Star’s model .home development, not concerned nor restricted to any one nelghborhood or with any particular type of house. All the usual types of dwellings are involved, and the dif- ferent types and styles are most in- teresting and show patient study and splendid architectural qualifications in_their accomplishment. The completely detached type of the roomy, restful home, the semi- deiached and the familiar and reliable row houses are all represented. Differences to Be Noted. But what a difference is to be noted in their general appearance and in- terior arrangements. Infinite care in design is evident throughout, careful selection and combinations of the various building materials make for general harmony, and finally the fact that the mechanics had even entered into the spirit, for there is everywhere, indlications of greater care and more precise attention to the little things make the whole perfect. Not Since the basement is a fruitful pro- ducer of fires, it is well to apply meas- ures of fire stopping above this sec tion of the house. Unquestionably the best way of doing this is to con- truct the first floor of materials which have high value as fireproofing. A concrete floor slab serves this purpose most excellently. 5 It the cost of this is beyond the means of the home builder, effective results may be obtained by celling the under side of the first-floor joists. For this purposé plaster board may be used or else plaster on metal lath. Conclusive evidence has shown that when these materials are properly ap- plied they will resist fire for a long time-—much longer than {s necessary tor-the fire fighters to get on-the joby [ that these homes are perfect in them- selves, but the improvement is so noticeable as to make the project most laudable. It is believed that this series of houses represent the closest compli- ance with the building laws and reg- ulations ever attempted. Prior to filing of the-plans for permits all de- tails relative to construction and lot occupancy were checked and recheck- S0 as to determine whether the building regulations were restrictive and would operate to make econom- ical and attractive homes impossible. The architects were even encouraged to proceed with a free hand, so as to -discover where modifications could advantageously he made to the code, and in practically every case the de- was feasible and in full compli- ance with the law. Some slight mod- ifications relative to porches were at- tempted, and they are now being studied as to thelr general effect. But the general features of light and ven- tilation, thickness of walls and sizes of floor jolsts, etc., were not changed or modified in the slightest degree. On the other hand, much thought was given to the interlor finish and conveniences provided. Large sized cedar closets, beautifully constructed; insulated attic space and various kitchen , appliances are among the many things provided. Stairways with easy, comfortable treads and risers, well lald hardwood floors and cool, well lighted cellars are conspicu- ous. The painting and plastering is exceptionally well done and proves that good workmanship is still avail- able and needs only the incentive to bri; it out. Tnl’fere are many lessons to be learn- ed from careful study of these homes, which proves the truth of the efficacy of the old combination of competent designer and consclentious builder. There have been many detalls that have proven more expensive to pro- vide, but every one admits the bene- fits to be derived from this initial ef- fort will bring better construction and more beautiful homes to Wash- ington as a result. —_————————— PORCHES ADD COMFORT. Visitors to_ the . model house - at Wynnewood Park, Md., near Silver Spring, will see a typical Marylane suburban home. a The manner in which the upstairs back porches have been inclosed so as to become a part of the house and yet remain a part of the general beau- tiful architectural effect is worthy of particular note. These porches give ample opportunity for fresh air at night and protect the. sleepers from INTEREST INMODEL HOMES S CReAT People Sending Inquiries From Other Cities—Expect- ed to Start Movement. BY GERTRUDE MORRISON FISHER, Director Star Model Homes Exhibit. That Washingtonians are great home-builders and home-lovers needs no demonstration. Yet every new sign of this fact is a’ tremenduously ex- hilarating thing. The interest shown in the nine model homes sponsored by The Star is a manifestation of this truth. From a hundred miles around Washington folks have been sending in letters asking questions about it, seeking information—with their own homes in mind. Of course that means only one thing, that in the course of time Washington and adjoining States will have more beautiful, more con- venient, more inviting homes. The enterprise attracting so much attention is that of the building of nine houses, the best that present-day apt of material making, of masonry and joinery and architectural inspira- tion can produce for the particular sum of money each must necessarily sell for—all this to the end that these houses will stand long for inspection. testifying in wordless eloquence of what can be done by way of house- making in the National Capital. Doors Open Tomorrow. Some of these houses are finished and tomorrow morning their doors will be thrown open to all those who wish to come and see. These houses look already as if they might have grown there, but he who is interested need not await the completion of those still in the process of construc- tion and still surrounded by the de- bris of building to see that something extraordinary is afoot. There is an alr of fine proportion, there is a look of harmony, a balance in the, setting of each house, both as relates to its own immediate surroundings and the other houses in the vicinity. Undoubtedly these houses will in- spire a myriad of questions. They are objects of a lively and increasing interest. He who sees them will be impressed according to the tissue of his spirit and the nature of his inter- est. Many will wish to know the cost, the size of ‘the lot, or lots, the rela- tionship of the materials used to other materials, ‘and whether ‘the builders and architects, for any consideration whatsoever, would build a perfect du- pxllmte of‘any one of them anywhere else. + To all these questions there will be full answers from the proper sources. It will be made known to them that wish to hear - what houses such as any one of these are worth; what materials they are made of and why; the amount of ground each one takes ‘with it, and the reasons why a greater amount would be unnecessary and a smaller amount unfortunate. Standing behind the nine hoyses in the nine selected parcels of ground is (Continued on Thirty-second PageJd 4 26, DEMONSTRATION The model homes demonstration sponsored by The Star is rapidly draw- ing to completion so far as the erection of the houseq is concerned. In undertaking thid project The Star did so with two purposes in mind. One, to encourage hojne ownership in the National Capita} on the part of that large number of citizens who are of moderate means, and, secondly, to bring about the beautification of Washington through the betterment of its residential structures, partic- |ulnrl,\' the small houses. At the outset it was realized that there are thousands of people in the District’ of Columbia who would be- come permanent and substantial citi zens through the medium of home owning if they received some en- couragement in this direction. Many who desired to buy a home the cost of which meant an investment of lifetime savings hesitated because of their lack of knowledge about what to look for in a well designed and well cénstructed house. The demonstration, therefore, was partly to indicate to these people through actual houses of various types the very best that could be expected in popular style houses in the District ranging from row to detached structures. Houses of Moderate Cost. Houses of comparatively moderate cost naturally form the bulk of homes in Washington and will continue to be the largest group erected .in the future. These residences, therefore, will more or less mold the architec- tural development of the city, and in accordance with their standards of beauty the city will reflect its own attractiveness. The Star by this demonstration endeavored to bring about a greater realization among those engaged in and responsible for the development of the city and the public of the importance ef creating beautiful residences of moderate size and cost as well as houses of more pretentious size, and set a standard that ‘might serve as a guide to the beautification of the NationaliCapital's residential sections. Architects, builders and public of- ficlals quickly seized upon the proj- ect as a means by which they could co-operate and work together for the betterment of their own community. As a result of the demonstration, archi- tects, builders and officlals combined in a measure that been hereto- fore unknown in architectural and bullding construction circles. Pet Schemes Sidetracked. Every builder and every architect threw away his personal ideas and pet schemes, set aside his pride to make a group study of the entire undertaking so that the experience of all those who are taking part in the undertaking might be utilized on every project. A body, termed the supervisory committee, was formed to be the head of the undertaking. This committee was composed of three men, one a public official, one an architect and one a builder. Former Engineer mer Raymond A. Wheeler T Wiine==7 33 HOMES POINT WAY TO INDIVIDUAL OWNERSHIP Exhibition Drawing to a Close So Far as Erection of Houses Is Concerned—Benefits Are Pointed Out. m2s made chairmian of the com- nittee, with Rufus S. Lusk, presi dent of the Operative Builders' Asso. clation of the District of Columbia, and Horace W. Peaslee, chairman of the committee on the National Capiral of the American Institute of Archi- tects, serving under him. This com mittee co-operated with Gertrude Mor rison Fisher, engaged by The Star to direct the demonstration. Builders were invited to submit suitable sites with the understanding that the sites would be chosen ac cording to their desirability for the purposes of the demonstration. There were more than 30 sites offered by as many builders and, after a_week of inspection on the part of the super- visory committee, the nine sites were chosen. They were chosen, not ac. cording to who submitted them, but according to their desirability for the purpose for which they were Intended Nine Architects Named. Immediately the sites were chosen the local chapter of the American In- stitute of Architects, through a spe cial committee, named the nine archi- tects who were to design the houses. They were Robert Beresford, Victor Mindeleff, J. Wilmer Smith, Gilbert L. Rodier, Percy C. Adams, Ward Brown, Louis Justement, Delos Smith and W. H. L. Fleming. At the same time the names of the owners of the sites chosen were announced as W. C. and A. N. Miller, Cafritz Construction Co., Stambaugh Construction Co., Walter Dunigan, Walter Vaughn, C. H. Small, L. E. Breuninger & Sons, Hedges & Middleton and Ruby Lee Minar. ) A conference was immediately called and the architects and builders held a conference, one among the many that preceded the actual com- pletion of the model homes plans. At these conferences both the builders and the architects were in accord that the demonstration should really reflect to the public the result of the combined experience of years of train- ing and the very best and very latest development of the construction in- dustry, so that the houses would not only be architecturally attractive, but would be practical as well. Most Useful Designs Taken. The houses are not intended to be the most beautiful produced, but rather a combination of practicability in the interior design that will tend to make easier and more comfortable living conditions and at the same time an architecturally attractive exterior that will, if used as the basis for other developments, serve to start the resi- dential appearance of the city further toward the ideal. The architects commissioned to de- sign the houses also agreed to submit their plans to an architects’ advisory council for suggestion and approval. This council, composed also of mem- bers of the American Institute of Architects, was_composed of Mr. Peaslee, ‘Albert I. Harris, municipal architect; Henri_de Sibour, Fred J, ~{Continued on Thirty-sécond Page)