Evening Star Newspaper, June 26, 1926, Page 34

34 MODEL HOMES SECTION. LATEST IDEAS ARE EXPRESSED IN STAR’S STONE MODEL HOUSE Architect Explains Beauty of Structure at 35th Street and Massachusetts Practical Facilities to BY R. F. BERESFORD, Architect. Dasigner of the Stone Colonial Model Home at’ Thirty-fifth street and Massachusetts avenue. . The model demonstration sponsored by The Star is having very good results. Its encouragement to home cwnership will be expressed in a Inore permanent growth to the ci population and the greater content- ment that home ownership gives. It is proving, and will continue to prove, @ distinet benefit to the beauty of the 1t has proven, for instance, that S of houses may be designed as 10 eliminate the effect of monotony which every American dislikes and to give 1o e house an_individuality and distinetion which is desired in 4 home. This has been done in the house at Thirty-fifth street and Massa- chusetts avenue. Similarly 1t has demonstrated that ® very small detached house need not arily look commonplace. For are in the design it can be made appropriate to i tuation and dis- tinctive in char It can be shown that by planning several houses at one time a group composition can be studied out which is of benefit to each individual home. A very happy result of this demon- stration also has become evident to both the builders and the architects, not only in the spirit of harmony and co-operation that has in general been the rule. but also In the realization that both the builders and the archi- have valuable points of view ch, by combining, may result in home of the future t owners. tance of the Lot. stance of this kind may bhe noted in the selection of the site at Thirty-fifth street and Massavhusetts avenue. This lot t one lot re- moved tts avenue, but as it ar public park on ti the avenue it lias all the advant 10 main avenu enough removed from this travel to escape its noise and confu sic In addition to this there is a further asset to this lot in that the ground slopes downward tol the east, so that from the first story porch and from the second story windows there is a beautiful panorama of tree 1ops and sky. The house is the larg- est of the detached types erected in and is being built me nt services of an architect is his power of analy- sis of the problem under considergtion «ill in adapting a. solution to Jus factors involved. In this particular house it involved the con- sideration of the factors inherent in the site, such as the slope of the land, nd rear, situa- points of the compass, and to the prevailing winds in Winter and Summer and various other With these in view the hou: nned to suit this particu- ar site. takes advantage of the good points of the site to an extent that no stock plan could have done. A great deal of time and thought was spent riving at the final plan. ns were made and anz cast aside before a fimished solution was finally obtained. Since the lot faces west, it was felt that the living room should ,be on the south side, with south windows, a west window to take in the view over the park and the Winter sunsets, and French doors at the east end leading onto the living porch, which over- Jooks the garden on the rear portion of the lot and an extensive view be- yond. ‘o'?ge dining room should face prefer- ably toward the east and south, to re- ceive the morning sun and be sheltered from the hot afternoon sun in Sum- mer. The western sun is of no ad- vantage in a dining room in Winter, because the evening meal is eaten after sunset. Therefore, the dining room has been placed just north .0( the living porch, which gives it an eastern outlook over the garden and a southern exposure through the liv- orch. : mgfl“:; plan naturally results in the JKitchen being placgd toward the north, which is an advantage, because the Avenue, Combined With Make an Ideal Home. it the place for doing thelr homework. It can serve as a very convenient cloakroom in case of receptions or teas. It could be used by a physician as his office, and also meet the re- quirements of the grown up daughter. The elimination of electric ceiling! lights from the living room and bed- rooms and the use of softly shaded side bracket lights and floor and table lamps is based not only on good esthetic grounds, but also upon sound scientific data. An {deally lighted room is one in which both lights and shadows are present: the lights for reading or other purposes and the shadows for looking up from reading and relaxing the focus. The colonial style of architecture was chosen because of the great de- mand for It among home builders and also in order to prove that a house costing more than the average need not necessarily express that cost by the additional ornament and special features of interest alone. As a mat- ter of fact, the beauty and charm of a colonial home consists mainly in its simplicity and sincerity of de- sign. This style of house is the bes example to prove that mass and pro- portion is the one essential element in design, and that ornament is but an additional embellishment to that which is already good. “Ginger-bread” does not improve the building bad in fundamental mass and proportion. The object in this colonial home is to arrive at the best combination of both size and beauty by a careful study of the interior and exterior pro- portions. In designing the house, the ornamental features were incorpo- rated only when they served to height- en the interest of the design. .One of the most important details to be taken into consideration is that every side must be complete in appear- ance. As much study must be given to the rear elevation as to the front, since each side is equally important. Study of Color Essential. In addition to the study of the s and proportion of a house, the study of color is essential. In fact we see a building only by the differ- ence in color of its various surfaces. The s @ variety of color. The stonework s laid up in the rubble manner and a certain proportion of the stones have been selected for their color. There is, however, a sufficient number of stones of a neutral gray tone to serve as a foil to these. The exterior woodwork, such as the cornice, window frames, front door- way, porch, etc., Is painted white. The first-st window shutters will be of solid wood panels, painted white. The second-story shutters will be slatted and painted green. This is characteristic of the stone colonial houses. Owing to the time required to lay up the stone walls, this house will not be completed as early as some of the other houses in this demon- stration. The work, however, has been pushed as fast as is consistent with good workmanship. Numerous persons have looked through this house after reading The Star's articles on good construction, The builders have welcomed these in. spections, as they are proud of both the construction and finish of their houses. DOORS DETERMINE IMPRESSION OF HOUSE Effect May Be to Offer Charm or to Create an Intangible Disappointment. The doors of a house may be the de- ciding factor that determines whether it shall offer charm or an intangible disappointment. Doors are the most intimate detail in the whole construc- tion of the home. t and north light is the most constan diffused, and, therefore, best for any kind of a workroom. Rear Garden Convenient. It will be noticed that with this ar- rangement the living room, dining room and living porch are all sheltered from the cold northwest winds in Winter, and are exposed to the cooling southern breezes in Summer. With the dining room and porch placed at the rear of the residence, the rear warden becomes practically an out- doors room of the house, thereby mak- ing the back of the house equal in aportance to the front. ’nl'; was reasoned that the proper lo- The mere fact that they move focuses attention on them. They offer inescapable area to the critical gaze. We come into actual physical contact with them. A door that combines the simplicity of the single panel with the richness of the molded door has possibilities. It has a character that lends itself to many styles of architecture. It is significant that many beauti- ful homes today have utilized the rare qualities of a one-panel door to har- monize with their uniformly tasteful effects. A recently perfected model made by well known manufacturers is the re- sult of efforts to produce a door new in design, correct in proportion, ar- cation of the principal bedroom should be over the dining room, in order to have an eastern and southern-expo- sure and overlook the garden. The other three bedrooms, which are also corner rooms, face south and east, south and west and north and west. It will be noted, therefore, that three of the four bedrooms have southern exposure. All bedrooms are large enough for twin beds. There is also on the second floor a dressing closet or room that measures 7 feet 3 inches by 11 feet. It will be evident by ob- serving the second-floor plan that am- ple closets have been provided for the hedrooms. In the third story there are two bedrooms, each 8 feet by 14 feet, and bath also plenty of attic storage space. In observing the interior arrange- ment, the most unusual feature is the Jocation of the stairs. It is desirable where possible that the stairway should not be the first object that a visitor sees upon entering the house. It will be recalled that in most true eolonial houses where staircases face the front door there is usually an prchway separating the stairs from the front part of the hall. Generally the staircase leads to the private quarters of the family. Therefore, the first suggestion that the visitor receives should not be one of intruding upon the privacy of the family. It will be noticed that the staircase in this house is placed in an alcove of its own, where it is private and still not lost entirely to view. This curved form is both beautiful and eminently practical. The risers, which are the vertical portions of the steps, are so laid out that on the line of travel all steps are the same in width. On account of the radiating form of the steps, a tall person can, by walking a little farther from the handrail, find the steps wider and, therefore, more suited to his stride. The staircase is marked off from the rest of the hall by arches. Abundant daylight on the stairs is secured through an elliptical glazed sash at thesecond story ceiling. Practical Kitchen Planned. Special attention has been paid to planning a practical kitchen. It is a corner room and, therefore, well lighted and ventilated. The work table is convenient to the sink, the refrigerator and the kitchen dresser, and is just far enough removed from the range to be away from the heat of cooking. The iceman will not have to call at this house, as an electric retrigerator will be installed. The uses of the room called the dep may be many and varied. A mdn will find it convenient in case he has to bring work hame from his office,cor-the school:child tistic in appearance and moderate in price. The design of this door represents the first time that a stock door has been placed on the market which has the feature of an insert frame with a recessed panel, together with a flush molding in a stock thickness of door. The results obtained could usually be secured only in a two-and-one-quarter- inch or thicker door. ‘The contours of the solld sticking around the pafel and the special!flush molding blend into one another and produce an article that is not only structurally correct but very artistic in its lines. Patented standards of precision in wood manufacture have made possible this new door. They are made in either hard or soft woods. IS MORE ECONOMICAL Aonther Advantage Is That It-Ts Capabie of All Kinds of Treatment. One advantage of the colonial style is its economical arrangement. In this type the roof generally covers the whole of the second story. This does away with the second-story wall and relieves the pressure on the first story and the foundations. Such_ houses, too, are capable of ail kind#of treat: ment. The walls may be of any material, the roof may take any of the various gambrel shapes, and the facade does not require a symmetry of design. This house has a certain quaintness and an appearance of security, due to its broad-shouldered roof, that makes it very appealing. The difficulty of ventilating the second fioor can be, and has been, overcome. ATTIC WELL DESIGNED. ‘Wesley Heights House Merits At- tention for This Feature. One of the things worthy of atten- tion in the demonstration house at Wesley Heights is the manner in which the attic space has been de- || signed. In this demonstration project | the attic runs across the entire length of this structure, with sufficient loft to provide space for extra rooms. This space could be well used for a billiard room, a clubroom or for more practi- cal use, as the housewife or owner'| may.desire. Plenty of window space _THE_EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C. SATURDAY, JUNE 2, 192. HOUSE IN WYNNEWOOD PARK PROGRESS OF MODEL DETACHED HOMES Upper—Maryland_model home at Wynnewood Park, near Silver Spring, designed by P. C. Adams and built by the Stambaugh Construction Co. Lower—The stone colonial house at Thirty-fifth street and Massachusetts and built by Hedges & Middleton. avenue, designed by Robert Beresford Wheeler Praises Healthful Co-Operatiofi Of Architects and Builders Here The following message was received from former Assistant Engineer Com- missioner Maj. Raymond A. Wheeler, who was chairman of the supervisory committee in charge of The Star's demonstration and who is now stationed at the Army Engineering School, at Fort Leavenworth, Kans.: “In my capacity as stnat Engineer Commissioner it became one of my duties to convene a jury of | architects each week for the review of plans filed for building permits. This review is a regular weekly occurrence, and does not in any way affect or de- lay the issuance of a permit. It has been made possible by the generous action of the architects in giving their services without charge, in the hope of obtaining a general improve- ment in Washington_architecture by dealing with each individual building and its effect upon the city before the building operation began instead of waiting until after it was finished, and then pointing out how much bet- ter it might have been if such and such procedure had been followed. “After each review it was custom- ary for me to transmit the com- ments to the different owners and builders involved. and in this way I came to know intimately the majority the architects and builders of and it has been a source sfaction to me to see the | that this {s what Ut wants, there no question in my mind but that t will make henceforth. a tinuance of the relations! in this demonstration, ip establish for t can be obtained.” ———e FILIPINOS BUY HOMES. pine Islands and the “Own-Your-Ow Home" slogan s just as popular in t| cording to Philippine Progress, t semi-monthly publication of the Unit States Mission of the Amer Islands. and loan association and installme: plans of buying. the appearance of the Capital City. “When The Evening Star project was started I was indeed pleased with the opportunity to act as chairman of the committee of three which re- presented the flnal coming together of the architects and builders in actual co-operation toward the better- ment of the city. From start to finish the co-operation was most gratifying, and I have left Washing- ton with great regret that it was im- possible for me to %}e the projects through to completioh, but with full confidence that they would be carried forward to a satisfactory conclusion. “As I analyze the results of this demonstration, it seems to me im- material just what has been accom- plished or proven with the individual projects. The large accomplishment has been the coming together of the architects and the builders, their grasp and recognition of each other’s view- point and their wholehearted co- operation toward the betterment of the city. If the public will manifest in its own housing a fraction of the in- terest which these two building agencies have manifested, and in its At 13th USE SHEET METAL FOR BEAUTY AND PERMANENCE Sheet Metal Work ‘In The Michigan Park Star Ideal Home CAPITAL METAL WORKS 11th and F N.E. patronage of better building will show residential development of Washington tremendous advance “My heartest wish is for the con- | maintenance of The Evening Star's keen interest in better housing and in the ways in which its betterment American zeal for home ownership has taken a firm hold in the Philip- o island Territory as in the States, ac- an Cham- ber of Commerce of the Philippine Filipinbs have adopted the bullding MANY IMPROVEMENTS Partitions in Cellar, Sleeping Porch, Tile in Bathroom and Other Features Often Desired. is he make certain changes that In a house of low cost many desir- |able features are omitted and, as a | rule, the family insists on adding | some of them | 1t may be decided, {to put in partitions, been installed, separ bin, the fruit closet from the rest of. the cellar. cost from §0 to $150. Oth im- provements often added are a_sleep- ing porch, a screenedin porch, tile in_ the bathroom, papering other improvements and ed he for if ing example, none ha the coal This may he windows or door: he ed The first step of the Government toward providing education for the Indians was made by the Continental Congress in 1 when a bill was passed appropriating $500 for the ed- ucation of Indian youths at Dart- mouth College. nt MODEL HOMES ERECTED BY WALTER VAUGHN & Upshur Sts. N.E. MICHIGAN PARK SPONSORED BY THE EVENING STAR YOU WILL FIND These Homes Meet With- the Approval of the Most Critical Home Owners Large living room with a real fireplace, four bed- rooms, three porches, the most modern conveniences, plenty of air and light,-with & large yard on three sides. EVERY THOUGHT Has been given to.obtain a homeata moderate price in a highly restricted community that the most Exacting will be proud to own. W. WALTER VAUGHN OWNER—BUILDER RIGGS-SEMMES BUILDING * Phones Potomac 2200—North 7027 DUPONT CIRCLE ADDED BY HOUSE BUYER| ‘The owner of a home is likely to|| call for expenditures. || nd the laundry (|| rooms, sodding the yard and storm|| "MODEL SHOWS CO-OPERATION’S VALUE Builder and Architect Work Together in Methodi INREA”Y AB"V"Y cal Manner to Complete ‘“Livable” Suburban Home. BY P. C. ADAMS. Designer of the Maryland Model Home. In the case of the construction of the model house at Wynnewood Park, Maryland, there has existed an ad- mirable spirit of co-operation between the buiider and the architect, and the result is most satisfactory to all concerned. The work has progressed method- ically through the various stages of construction, under the guidance of the Stambaugh Construction Co. First the loam was removed to be used in future grading; the excava- tion was made, with trenches cut to true lines for the concrete footings; the foundation wall was bullt of inter- locking hollow tile laid in cement mortar, waterproofed on the outside; the frame construction of the super- structure was fitted and erected, window and door frames set, the chimney built and exterior walls and roof sheathed and insulated: wide cypress clapboards were applied to the walls, and stained cedar shingles to the roof; the reinforced concrete floor of the living porch, which forms the roof of the garage, was placed, the brick steps at front entrance laid, and the interior finish begun, plastering, “trimming-out,” stair building, laying of finish floors, paint. ing and paperhanging, floor scrap- ing, in order, the workmen in each trade putting forth their best efforts to make the model house faultless. Plumbing Scientifically Correct. ‘The heating, plumbing and electric wiring of the house have received espectal consideration; the house will be comfortable in the Winter months, and the radiators are not unneces- sarily _obtrusive; the layout of the plumbing is scientifically correct, the work properly installed and the bath- rooms are most attractive: the electric g 1 metal conduit, the light- ing fixtures well placed and of a dis- tinetive Colonial pattern, and con- venience outlets are numerous. The house has the advantage of an unusually attractive site, and the nat- ural layout of the approaches is evi dent. A flag walk extends in a pleas. ing curve to the front door. One drives out of the traffic of the main pike l‘r’r reach this walk or the garage ond. intering the garage first, we find the space here ample for a car of any size and a work bench. The *floor is cemented and drained, the wall are of tile, the roof of concrete. From the garage we enter the boiler room, which houses a boiler of ample size and the most approved type for coal| or ofl burning. The boiler room is separated from the laundry portion of the cellar by a tile wall Laundry Trays in Basement. Laundry trays and a serv. are located in the basement wide stair leads to an outside en and to the ffrst floor. This stair is conveniently reached from the main hall and from the kitchen. The hall gives the effect of spaciousness, and the stalrway to the second floor is ‘‘easy” and graceful. On the landing is a triple window which lights both upper and lower halls. The coat clos- et is conveniently located. The living room is livabie, it has ex- posure to the south and east and opens onto a commodious veranda on the west. The fleplace is real, and of generous proportions. We will un- doubtedly be inciined to tarry in the living room, but other necessary rooms invite' our inspection. The dining room is planned for the convenient and effective placing of the furniture, and is lighted triple window 1in the east breakfast nook, also with an dow, adjoins the dining room kitchen. In addition to the usual kitchen ap- | pliances and conveniences, large pantry which conts ample shelving, a mechan erator and a broom closet. On the second floor, over the living room, is| the largest of the three bedrooms. It has two clothes closets and is conn ed with a sleeping porch. Opening from the hall are a bath room. a linen closet and a clothes chute. The bedroom has a private bath with shower and vies with the larger room in_attractiveness. The third bedroom _is with this room also, and is ideal for a child's room. The attic space, at present unfinished, is reached from in- |able st HOMES SECTION. MAY SHOWS DROP Index for 41 Typical: Cities Reveals 10 Points*Under Previous Month. Real estate market activity May showed a recessiom. from the preceding month, accorfibz to the |index of market activity e@Mmpiled by | the National Association of Real Fs- tate Boards from officfal records of transfers and conveyances recorded in 41_typic The index for May stood at 164 | This is 10 points lower than the index for April of this vear, and five points lower than was registered for May of 19 It is 13 points higher than the x figure for May of 1924 The index figure of 163 me for conveyances recorded in studied during the month cent greater than the av recorded during the period 191 period whose norm of the a February m up to the pres activity point the ssoc during by the ) a patented mos irway. The attic is large and roomy and afford excellent space for one or more finished rooms if des| Here, then, is a house built to i fashioned in the style c at | is hillside, i wenfences s has deve attempt has wion to ¢ h class, n | with the character of the [ which it is placed and so make an op [portunity for the public to ohserve with the hope that hime seems 10 has also 1 connected | An Appreciation The public spirit which conceived and the Il i approbation of every one interested in the progressivegrowth of the National Capital. Model Homes make for a model city. They cannot help but foster a hig‘l’ler standard of citizenship—and the influence of this un- deflaking must be both far-reaching and long-enduring. the ideal in family residence. B. F. Saul Co. _enterprise which has carried forward to such successful completion the Model Homes movement—inaugurated by The Star, sanctioned by the Commissioners of the District and co-operated in by Wash- ington architects and builders—merit the Whatever benefits Washington benefits all, and we want to voice our commendation of the purpose underlying the project, and our congratulations for the splendid cli- max which is reached in the ‘completed Model Homes. They are a credit to the genius of the architects and the skill and ability of the builders who caught The Star’s vision and have given to the city, the country and the world a demonstration of Nine Twenty-five - Fifteenth Street