Evening Star Newspaper, June 26, 1926, Page 35

MODEL HO INE TASTE SHOWN INROW DESIGNING PDecatur Street Construction Found Meeting All Tests V. of This Class. BY LOUIS JUSTEM for the Model Row Houses at Fifth and Decatur Strects. Of all the types of houses which have been built in The s Model iomes Demonstration, the row house s the one which has been the most popular with the buying v be. -ause only in this type of co C- lon has it been possible for the man pf moderate means to secure a brick house. A row house can be built on a lot 688 than half the widih that would he required for a detached house. This eans not only a smaller lot but also hat assessment for street improve- ments will be less t halt those pald by the owner of the detached ouse. But the greatest saving is in s he construction of the gainst the semi-de Each side wall or # house does doubl s it does for two he he relatively ve face brick ouse usually has face brick on all| ides. There are fewer windows in| ha row houses work, ewer gutters, etc and ooy has to letached less cornice Appearance Is Improved. Such criticism o here has been has been directed en- frely at the appe: > of these| ouses, and it must be admitted that nuch of this criticisim is deserved, hough it s perhaps not quite fair o conclude that the operative build- er 18 entirely to bis tion. Primarily vith the buying »perative builder tries hutld what the public -olonial porch colur hocolate color it hat the prospective hiot have sutfic u vhite paint and that he practica to demu \will not soon n row louses as war ns are painted the belief haser does preter ntly which public is made to the colonial style of best interpreted in| erms of red br Llinds and white woodwork, the buflder will| ot be slow to provide this type of | building. | i udor perigd have piration for a ‘umber idences in this coun- . These, in turn, have suggested | aptations of this style for more rodest dwellings of bri stone. The row of houses now being fin De - street, which we signed for the h. model house : 4 has been susgested by both English and Americar tions of Lnglis uents. It h tied as being in though it must he remembered th this does not imply that it is in- tended in any way to be a “period” design. f the eculativ the finest r eatest faults of mo " building is t showy’™" materials, imitate hedioc on good ince it these imi Composition shin- for instance » nor as dur: used for mixture which | aeteri. | | | able ax these houses is rather than with z No Biuffing No dorme mansard roo! floor or attic and the 1 would have dwarfed ti yoof. A great many row b dormers in the ¥ for the effect of jon of three. orate n Design. used in these no third of dormers scale of the ses have ard roof ing the im- building. are , as thers should be built to “imit "1f the most beautiful house in Washington were copled exactly and repeated 20 times consecutively the length of a city block on a street, h house stepped down | from the eding one by exactly he same amount, the result would sominable in spite of the beauty of individual house. Yet operative that is the public when they vary the de have their houses ile some other house in the row. If | this is %o then it would seem that too | much emphasis cannot be a the fact that the taste of the buy public is responsible for ‘ppearance of some of our streets. If | this demonstration sored by The Star can awalen fation on the part of the public as to what good architecture mean: doubtedly be to s ’ B e i e The most important fucior in house design is to breal 3 monotonous series of facades number of sethacks, which have the uffect of grouping from two to five | houses in a given unit. This is particu- larly important on a sloping street, so | that the changes in floor levels can be | nade to correspond with the groups | into which the row is divided. The vow of houses on Decatur street is an example of how this ay be done. A 2lance at almost any row on « sloping Street will show how unsatis row- cach house affects the appea the entire row. Plans Are Standardized. about the . the plan nas become i and is economicul 1 row-house construc: represents a distinct ad haped plan of 20 years that the supply of building is c: ing up with the demand ed that the public Jdiscrimination and i houses shall Le well de demonstration succeeds in the buying public to a better tion of design it will contribute in no wmall measure to the beautification of Washington. The better types of home, row or detached, are di front porch becuuse privacy and be tracts from the building. The lem is twofold use of the automobile makes it pos- sible to secure relief from the heat in ways that were not possible a few vears ago, and porches are not as much a necessity as they used to be; in the second place, the proper plac for the porch is at the back of the house, facing what should be an at- tractive garden rather than the usu commonplace back yard. The back vard Is a valuable e which should be converted into an attractive add tion to the house by means of suit- able planting and by screening un- sightly garages, alleys and service Courts means of latt With a little more appreciation on the part of the public as to.what can le expected in a row house and a Ht- whether ding the king in ually~ de- of the prob- place the » hideous | | MES SECTION THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, Detached corner residence part of The Star's demonstration erected by 1I h\ Viel llnl \lllllll lefl. iSIGNER Dl‘hLR[Bh IDEAL HOME PLANS| CARE I Appointment Ranges ]‘rom Pos ll\ DET All tion of Lot to Tinges of Wallpaper—TFeatures in Garden Terracing. BY VICTOR MINDELEFF, Designer of The Star model house at Thir | and Alaska avenue Ine a]f‘l‘ra.lngat this time the comple- tion of the project at Thirteenth street including not ot Al work covered under an ave ding contract, but also the in pecial the enterprise a m d of the The hope and effort and I might say of hitect has been to g o-ordinate all the numberl | that go to the building of & modern | home and present to the public the | picture of such a_home, complete in all its details. The lot has a com- tuation, with three street ind, when plans now being ped fully materialize, will tand at the very gateway to the new residential section, Shepherd Park. Lot of Unusual Shape. also As often happens in such cases, the | unusual form of the lot, that at first glance might seem to present difficul- ties to a successful placing of house and garden, turned out, on detailed | study. to be a real asset toward s curing an individual and distinctive treatment. The buflders have spared no effort to establish the grades in just the right relation to secure the desi pleture. The necessary terracing has been formed with long and easy slopes, ad of the steep, sharply defined echanical treatment commonly These adjustments of and placing of various features have to be quite definitely planned from the beginning of the work In order to insure satisfacto comple- tion of the picture on the last lap of the enterprise. Placing the main front parailel with | avenue affords an exceptional to secure the desirable diagonal orientation of the h suring sunlight in each room at some time Alask Curved Garage Driveway. In this special case other incidental advantages from this position occu one of which is the curved garage driveway from Hemlock street, en- & the garage doors to be much conspicuously placed than usual effect still further enhanced b tting them back in th low of recess formed by the projecting floor of the porch above; this, together with a subdued color for the doors, results in a much less obtrusive effect than would othgrwise be possible. At the Beginning of the work the atlon for this driveway from reet to garage facilitated the taking out of the dirt for the entire cellar. The concrete roof of this built-in ga- rage serves as a floor for the covered porch and open terrace of the first story, which 13 but two or three steps above the garden grade. he convenient cellar, on grade with the driveway, contains a full comple- ment of the usual appliances, includ- ng a hot-water boiler for heating the house, with radiators throughout. A storage system gas water heater, with insulating cover, for hot water 1pply to fixtures; laundry tubs under a full size window opening on a re- cessed area from the drivew serva toilet, the two bathrooms and sink in kitch- en upstairs, afford a pretty complete plumbing equipmept for a house of this size. Stone Steps in Approach. The approach to the front entrance on Alaska avenue is by a short flight stone steps, flanked by stone cop- ing blocks at each side, leading to a walk of rectangular flagstones. This provides a pleasing approach in quiet, varied gray tone , that harmonizes with the adjoining lawn. The main entrance platform, however, is of con- crete, but here some departure from the wide expanse of plain concrete has been sought by tinting the center area, as a panel, in red and treating the margin with a coating to secure a warmer and more sympathetic tone of concrete color. This platform sup- ports the two wooden benches that flank the entrance, designed to afford comfortable seats, with sloping backs. The Entrance Door. The entrance door, with its panel- ing, side lights and transom panels above, is also designed to form an im- portant feature. On entering the cen- tral hall the motive of the main floor is at once apparent, ns there is a clear vista through an arched opening to the French doors at the opposite end of the hall, and beyond to the little garden and, still farther on, to Hem- lock street. The Irench doors. with sheltering hood and arched window above, that occurs on the stair ianding, together with the small ironrailed platform, are all details that aid in maintaining the importance of this side of the house. Both wings of the house pro- ject beyond the main building on this ide, an arrangement that affords con- venient view of the garden from the covered porch of the living roem. Returning to the entrance hall, a flight of broad and easy steps leads to the upper landing, on which is an arched window, which amply lights the stairs and upper hall. The living and dining rooms, to erative builders in giving as much i A but without having its size overpower | | series of low, { wainscot | wallpaper, | ting out space from the bedrooms for thought to the design as they do to the practical features of the houses. there is no reason wh row houses | right and left, respectively, open through wide, trimmed arches, up a | vista through the entire length of the main bullding, terminating at one end | the open terrace of living-room ch, and at the other at a gr: | h casements over the sideboa the dining room. Mantel Clear to Ceiling. In the living room the specially ap | gnéd mantel. with overmantel and| cornice, extends clear to the ceili the room, because of its being largely | made up of the same elements of de. | n that have been employed in the | general trim of the room. | The colonial effect of this room is! further enhanced by applylng the very narrow trim molding to the walls also in such a manner as to form a horizontal panels from sill height down, in the form of a low that is painted throughout Over this low wainscot and extend. | ing to the top of the windows is a series of vertical wall panels formed in the same way, but inframing, in the fleld of each panel, sections of applied to balance the pat- tern in each panel in soft pastel shades of grays, greens,in medallions of pastoral scenes. Two French Doors. Two French doors open out from this room on to the covered and the open portions of the large living porch, which 1s inclosed all around with a rail and alse affords direct ac- cess to the upper or front lawn and grounds. The large living room thus has am- ple light and ventilation from three sides, though fts dem t light, of | course, s the window group of the southeast bay in the end of the room. | This large amount of light prov! has been so concentrated as to for furnishin eral character of the living room, as far as design of woodwork is concern- ed, and is also provided with a low dado effect, following the rake of the stairs, with its top molding following the general movement of the stalr rail, but without the vertical paneled ele- ment of the living room. Here a sim- pler and even more neutral paper is used, of a prevailing grayish tone, that ‘serves as a fofl and introduction to the gay note of the dining room. Here similar panels to those of the living room are fllled with brightly colored floral motives, a reproduction of 0ld papers in both design and color and affording the brightest note in the house. Wings Help First Story. The wings or extensions beyond the main_ building, which, though small, greatly amplified the opportunity for introducing conveniences and com- forts on the first story (such as an en- larged kitchen and the service fea- tures on one hand and the commodious porch to the living room on the other), have also afforded some very valuable space in the extension of their roofs or gables into the second story, pro- viding two closets of exceptional ca- pacity, large enough, in fact, to use as dressing rooms, and relieving the main building of the necessity for cut- closet purposes. Again the architect would invite at- tentjon to the desiravllity of using a bit of color in tile work, as is done in both bathrooms in this house. Once more would the writer call at. tention to the wonderful attic in this house: well lighted and ventilated and CREAT ADVANCES | tion. | cannot do. i ¢ and Sons, and del IN WATER HEATING Inconvenience of Old Methods Give Way to Constant Automatic Supply. The advantages of most household over methods of ac- the results seems to be | in the wind of the home owner. | ot so when the subject of water-! heating methods is under considera old When the “lady of the house" em-| barks on a shopping tour intent on purchasing a cleaning applance she is thoroughly aware of the different methods and appliances for household cleaning—from dustpun and brush to the latest in vacuum clganers. S| knows the advantages and limita tions of each. Most of all. is &he aware of the fact that the modern ap- | plance does with efficlency and econ omy what the antiquated method That is not the case where water- | heating methods are concerned. There | seems to be lacking a clear realization that new developments In the appli- ance for obtaining hot water for household use have made great strides; | that the difference between antiquated | § and modern methods is here as great | if not more so than in the dther flelds | of household appliances. | Large Supply Ready. As a matter fact the modern pliance for producing hot warer is sterling example of the wonderful re sulis obtainable when Inventive gen- —and that this is the ¢ brought home to, the consciousness of the home owner. One heater {llustrates the final de- velopment in supplying the household necessity —hot water. The device s thoroughly automatic. 30 or 50 gallons of hot water arve stored in a well insulated tank. When hot water is drawn at the faucets, cold water from the main flows into the tank, res ducing the temperature of the mixture helow the set standard. Through a thermostatic control the gas supply is immediately increased, burning until the contents of the tank have again reached the normal hot water temper- ature. When this point is reached the | gas supply again is reduced auto- matically, The advantages of such a device are numerous. In the first place, there is enough hot water on hand at all times. Two, three or even four faucets can be turned on at the same time and hot water at a given temper- atpre flows at full pressure. This is very important. If it were not so, the opening of a second faucet would im- mediately change the pressure or the temperature of the water at the first faucet. Great Saving Effected. ‘Then again, great saving iz effected by the automatic feature of this de- vice which turns off the gas just the moment the proper temperature is reached. There is so little radiation in heat due to the thorough insulation of the tank that it can almost be called negligible, Because they are so troublesome, the householder often feels that the many old-fashioned ways of heating water, ranging from the teapot method to colls installed in coal ranges, are the most economical. The feeling is thoroughly insulated throughout with a well known brand “of insulating board, the joints covered with wood strips, forming a huge play or work room. { When opportunity knoc| |> pringfield Republican D. 0, SATURDAY, $500,000 Expended To Put New Ideas In Model Homes No effort has been spared in the way of properly carrylng out the ideal homes demonstration. It is estimated that in order to insure good construction, beautiful archi- tecture commensurate with the slze and style of the various dem- onstration houses und to provide proper furnishings and landscap- ng, approximately $5600,000 has been spent. This large sum will represent the ultimate eost of locating, plan- ning and bullding the model homes, 5o the general public will be given the benefit of the last word in acientific planning und construction. Much study and,work and a great number of confercnces on the part of all concerned insure those wh Visit these homes that they are, in every detall, model demon- stration houses that will not only serve as a weries of attractive resi- . dences of types generally popu- lar here, but that will also serve as praotical ideals that wilL be workable in the fulurv LIGHT INTAKE UPSTAIRS. Model House Feature Will Save o Groping in Cellar. \ number of modern conveniences for the housewife € heen provided in The Star's model home at Thi teenth street gnd Alaska #vénue. this residence visito the electri house is placed in the kitchen, doing away Wwith the necessity of going down into & dark cellar and groping for the switches and fuses. A built-n froning board that falds into the wall and a dishwasher of white porcelain that is a part the sink and drainboard equipment will attract the eyes of many. A lhhrm~ ing breakfast kitchen isx a part of the huse. = = Y. e born in us from early Pilgrim days to belleve that that which is automatie and luxurigus must he expensive. With water heating the contrary is frequently the case. The older meth- ods lose 80 much heat by radiation and forgetfulness on the part of the operator that the modern automatic method can deliver comfort and con- venience frequently at no greater cost. The point which the new user of an automatic water heater must take into account is that the entire family finds so much comfort in the abun dance of ready hot water a no greater cost and with none of the inconven- lences attendant on the older anti quated methods, that indulge in its luxuries to a far greater extent than ever before. ““Some men miss success because at the door they think it is explains the a wolf, e T —— f\\“‘“xmmx\““ssx‘\x | “For an Excellent ‘Finish’ Begin with Butler-Flynn” g R S 13th & Upshur N.E. WALTER VAUGHN * built these houses with characteristic care, so when it came to the “finishing touch” he in- sisted on the highest-grade painting and paints. Tt is doubly significant, therefore, that JOSEPH A. COX did the painting and that VITRALITE, the long-life enamel, “61” FLOOR VARNISH, and all other materials were supplied by— Butler-Flynn Pamt 607609 Cst Main 1751 or 4902° Branch 719 17th St. N.W. Just Above Pennsylvania Ave. Main 10450 Mr. Cafritz Gladly Co-Operated With The Evening Star’s Suggestion . to Build a Group of Model Homes Appreciating the distinction of the invitation— he has given the best attention of himself and his or- ganization to the production of Homes that attain to the ideal and are truly notable models in plan, con- struction and equipment. The site selection is the choicest location in tafritz Petworth— Decatur Street—at 5th 'Adjoining Sherman Circle HEY will be fully completed within the next few days— and the exhibit Home of the group furnished through- out with consistency. In the meantime inspection can be made if desired. should -not-be-in every- way:the mosy: desirable type of house it is possible tle more attemtion on the part.of op-—to build for the average m-g CAFRITZ Ouwner and Builder of Comm unities s will find that { light intake for the whole | MODEL HOMES SECTION. Walter A. Dunigan Community Group Houses Marietta Park— Located at . 541, and Longfellow Sponsored By The Star The public is invited to come out and view these houses in their present stage of construction. A Demonstration of Home, Beauty and E: ffiucm\ will be staged when these houses are completed. Announcement Soon Walter A. Dunigan 925 15th St. Main 4555 2 2% 35th Built by Hedges & Middleton, Ine. Spensored by The Evening Star at Mass. Ave. We cordially in- vite the public to | inspect this Model during its construction, to see and become ac- quainted with the methods and mate- rials used in build- ing it and all other high-grade homes erected by this firm. Home To inspect drive out Mass. Ave. to 35th Street. Hedges & Middleton, Inc. Realtors 1412 Eye St. N.W, Franklin 9503 You Are Invited to Inspect THE STAR’S $ MODEL HOME At LEE HEIGHTS, VA. Every one interested in home building 1§ invited fo inspect the progress of The Star’s Model Home at Lee Hexghts, Va. We have received many compliments already on the quality of its construction. Its type of architecture is old Virginian and it is being built to last as long as some of the old Virginia homcs that were built many years ago and are still standing today. B See the Model Home today or tomorrow and then inspect it again«when it is completed and decorated and when it has been further beautified by the landscaping that is planned. Inquire at Lee Heights office for location of Model Home. Drive Out Tomorrow Drive over the Key Bridge 3 Y offical i 5, they Koy Bridge at Georxetown. tarn right onto Lee Highway and drive 242 miles (o Lee Heights Or call Main 1141 for one of our cars to take you. Wty Lo Pivon Developer of Lee Heights on the Lee Hl,lum:y 1405 New York Ave. Main 1144 7% //////// //////,,,,/ N