Evening Star Newspaper, April 12, 1930, Page 17

REAL ESTATE THOUSANDS OF DOO-DADS ON BUILDINGS IN CAPITAL Agitation by Simmons Against “Fancies” on Schoo! Buildings Turns *Spot- light on Public Structures. BY DON S. WARREN. GITATION raised by Representative Simmons of Nebraska against doo-dads on local school buildings has turned the spotlight of attention on the design of public and private buildings here, only to reveal the astounding fact that there mre, literally, hundreds of thousands of doo-dads on such structures. Furthermore, study of the matter raises real doubt if even one modern public building can be found which is totally lacking in doo- dads. Some have but few and some have a host of them. More significant still is the fact that the Federal and District governments and their agents, at times, have suggested, persuaded or ordered the placing of doo-dads not only on public buildings, but ®lso on some private buildings. This policy, indeed, is to be expanded under a bill approved by the Senate, rather than made null and void. Boiled down to a final analysis, the point of this whole discussion §s that there are two kinds of doo-dads: Good doo-dads and bad doo- dads. It now seems agreed that, so far as architecture is concerned, a doo-dad may be defined as being ornamentation (good or bad) which might be dispensed with. “Widespread discussion and thought ion the subject of doo-dads on buildings Bas followed the criticism of such em- WASHINGTON, D. C, Pellishment of school houses by Mr. Simmons, chairman of the House Dis- trict subcommittee on appropriations. Cites Columns on Facade. Mr. Simmons mentioned, among other ftems, the columns on the facade of the Paul Junior High School as being doo-dads, that is, ornamentation which could have been left off the building, and which added to the cost of the structure. Mr. Simmons did not call these columns “bad doo-dads” but yather protested that the money they cost could better have been spent else- where. These columns, as a matter of fact, are regarded as rather good doo- dads, architecturally. The question then is one of expediency there. These six_columns cre but a tiny | part of the host of architectural doo- dads to be found in Washington. The old State, War and Navy Build- ing perhaps is the outstanding example of doo-dadism gone wild. President Hoover leads a list of prominent pub- 1ic officials, artists, city planners, archi- tects who have termed this building’s ornamentation atrocious. The Presi- dent has fostered a movement to have | the structure entirely refaced in more | simple and correct style. Congress recently authorized an appropriation to this end. Thus the host of columns, pediments over windows, cornices on the numerous chimreys and other in- tricate_embellishments would be raked off and a simpler face constructed. Should Express Feeling. Contemporary architects make the point not that there should be a cer- tain number of doo-dads to a building, but that the ornamentation should have a meaning, express a feeling, have some useful purpose as well as add to the beauty of the structure. The State, War and Navy Building thas an exterlor whose huge surfaces are literally covered with jiggers, the most of which could have been left off. Properly conceived and executed buildings with doo-dads, however, are being planned and built by the Federal and District Governments. The monu- mental, classic_structures being erected in the great Mall triangle have ex- tensive colonnades, beaded cornices, heavy porticoes and pediments, belt courses, modillions and other embellish- ments of outstanding beauty, though some do not have a utilitarian excuse. ‘When plans were first started for the new Municipal Center on the north side of Pennsylvania avenue, leaders repre- senting the Federal Government urged that the city build structures in keep- ing with the classic style of the Federal developments, that the same basic style of classic architecture be employed, columns, pediments and all. This is being done, despite the fact that such embellishment will cost more than more box-like buildings with little or no deco- ration, with general approval by tax- ers. p;&ywl" be remembered, also, that the Fine Arts Commission about two years ago waged a publicity fight against the owners of a cigar store who proposed to build a new shop on Pennsylvania avenue, because it was felt the design ‘was not suitable to the location. They rsuaded the owners to face the build- g with stone instead of brick, a more ornamental cornice was adopted and otherwise not more but better doo-dads ‘were employed. Redesign Building. Mpre recently representatives of the ational Capital Park and Planning 'ominission consulted with the Stand- @rd Oil Co, concerning plans for its pew office building and service station a simple one. building just exactly as much decora- tion as contributes to making it more beautiful and no more. more bit of carving, one more column, one more moulding will enhance beauty of a structure, by all means let it be added. structure can be heightened by the elimination of a moulding, or a column, or a piece of sculpture (if it were by Phidias himself) it should be hacked off without remorse. STAIE BUILDING OF DOO-DAD TYPE Francis P. Sullivan Cites Structure as Example Out of Control. The State, War and Navy Building is the classic example of the doo-dad escaped from control and running amuck, Francis P. Sullivan, member of the American Instiute of Architects, declares in a statement reviewing basic principles underlying ornamentation of buildings. “On_the other hand,” he points out, “the Munitions and Navy Buildings seen from the Mall are hideous warn- ings\of the monstrosities that resuit from an unrestrained application of anti-doo-dad ideas. “The campaign against the use of doo-dads on buildings is based on the plausible argument that any trimmings which do not directly contribute to the practical uses of the building are super- fluous and therefore extravagant,” Mr. Sullivan continues. “Even the most ardent anti-doo- dadist, however, would shrink from a literal application of the rule such as would bai from every building ell decoration not demonstrably useful. For example, it would be hard to say what practical purpose is served by the dome of the Capitol. “Where, then, is the line to be drawn between the permissible and the per- nicious? How are we to determine on which buildings we may reasonably spend more than just the minimum necessary to make them habitable? “From the architects’ point of view the answer to the first question is a ‘We should use on a So long as one the f the beauty of the “As for the second question, the answer depends chiefly upon the pur- pose in putting up buildings and in ornamenting them. “If our purpose is merely to be osten- tatious, or to display our wealth and magnificence, or (as one anti-doo-dad advocate puts it) “to feed the vanity of the architect,” then we would be better off with bare brick walls. “But, if our purpose be to make the world a more pleasant place to live in, obviously we will desire building as beautiful as it can be made; and if the beauty of any building can be heightened by affixing trimmings to it, even if they canont be logically justified on the ground of utility, we will be cheerfully willing to make use of them. to see every “It must be understood, of course, that this is not intended to suggest that an elaborately decorated building is necessarily more admirable than a " (Continued on Third Page.) (Continued on Third Page.) 3401 Macomb St. The Finest Home in Cleveland Park to Be Obtained at the Price BEAUTIFUL CORNER HOME, detached—fine landscaping. First floor—very large reception hall, huge living room with fire place, large bright dining room, pantry and model kitchen. ELECTRIC REFRIGERA- TION. rear stairway. 2nd floor— FOUR MASTER BED ROOMS, two complete tiled baths and sleeping porch. Spacious closets. Maid’s room and complete bath. Large cov- ered porches front and rear. OIL BURNING hot-water heafing sys- tem with 1,000-gallon tank. Com- plete screens, weather stripping, cop- per ttering, cormice and down- spouting, clate roof. THREE-CAR BUILT-IN GARAGE. Drive out Conn. Ave. to Macomb street and ‘west to property. SeormekPS | jonal 9300 Open Saturday Afternoon and All Day Sunday BO: 1417 K St FIREPLACES FEATURE THIS ENGLISH COTTAGE oo 7 Fireplaces are provided in the living, room and master bed room of this Eng- lish Elizabethan cottage, which is in- tended for a lot 60 feet or more in width, The rear entry in the kitchen is especlally convenient for use from the automobile driveway and garage. The front entrance gives immediate access to the living room, kitchen and stairs. ‘The dining room is placed in a se- cluded and desirably detached loca- tion, with a delightful garden view, which is also afforded from the porch The Ty TPT SUNDAY MORNING EDITION Bning %taf‘ ' SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 1930. BOOK TO BE SOUVENIR C. U. ARCHITECTS AMONG FINALISTS E. T. Pairo and R. A. Wepp- ner W_in Place in Competi- tion for Scholarship. Two Washington students of archi- tecture have won places as finalists in the Paris prize competition, under which a scholarship providing two and a half years of study in Paris is award- ed by the Society of the Beaux Arts Architects, according to an announce- ment made herc today by Fred V. Mur- phy, dean of the School of Architecture | of Catholic University. The two finslists are Edwin T. Pairo and Robert A. w:prner. both students at Catholic University. The two other m%?:ua:bda ntx C?o special ftef:’ture this uf vernment buildin, Ons asctiongtat gl oy gs and park developments in vari- National Park and Planning Commiss HOME & GARDEN| B-1 OF STAR MODEL HOMES Visitors to 5 Exhibition Dwellings Will Be Provided Pictures and Stories About Structures and Also of Government Buildings and Parks. As the time for opening of the public demonstration of the 1930 Star model homes draws nearer, arrangements are for publication of a Star Model Homes fi‘ook, which w}’fimg Soruplated gn;ll':llt;‘on to the five exhibition dwellings as souvenirs of the be distributed ‘The book will carry pictures and stories about the various model year will contain pictures and made pouslblie through co-operation of the on. The Model Home Book is being prepared by the Operative Build~ ers’ Association, which is co-operatis T octat i perating with The Star in the model finalists in the national competition are students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and at the University of Illinois. The selection of the winner among these four will be made within 10 _weeks. The award is one of the most prized in the architectural profession for stu- dents. Several hune originally en- tered the contest, the number being re- duced by the process of elimination until only the four remain. REAL ESTATE BOARD TO AID BICENTENNIAL Site of Madison’s Names Lee D. Latimer and Donal L. Chamberlin to Joint Citi- zens’ Committee. | . The Washington Real Estate Board has named Lee D. Latimer and Donal | L. Chamberlin as its representatives on | the joint citizens’ committee to draft a | | suggested program for local participa- | tion in the George Washington Bicen- | | tennial celebration to be staged here in | 1932 from February 22 to Thanksgiving | day. The two will serve on the committee with representatives of a number of other trade, civic and business organ- | izations of the District. Its purpose is floor exterior, with the upper portions | to co-operate with the official District of stucco, half-timber and clapboards ' and National bicentennial commisisons. A natural slate or tile roof is preferable, | The citizens' body is being formed at | and two of the bed rooms. The grace- | ful lines of this design are accentuated by the charming window bays. Brick is recommended for the first but wood shingles may be used. th - ‘The_location of the fireplace at thie | o, bemton of Represenistive Sol end of the living room, With the room | rector of the national commission. ground plot, presents a distinct advan- Contestants prepared a design for a supposed building for what is described ' as a National School of Fine Arts to be erected in the National Capital. ACTIVITY IN BUILDING “The building industry is the one to which most observers look for the first signs of an impending recovery due to its closs dependence on the money mar- ket,” says the forecaster of the Brook- mire Economic Service in a survey of the building s:tuation. ' “Building projects undertaken during the first quarter of the year have, no doubt, been influenced by the decline | in money rates and the Hoover cam- | paign to speed up construction. Public works and utilities, especially road | building, have been provided for on a great scale and some large industrial and commercial building projscts have been undertaken.” | tage, especially when the edge of the house 1s near the lot line. | along the largest dimension of the A CORNE SIDEWALKS IN BUILDING ARCADES ARE SUGGESTED FOR NEW YORK Move Would Make Streets Wider to Help Relieve Increasing Traffic Congestion. | Increasing traffic congestion in New York City will lead to the placing of | sidewalks in arcades within the build- | ings, so that streets may.be widened. in the opinion of David V. Sutton, Gotham business leader. Supporting | this idea, he makes the following state- | ment: “The monetary loss to stores due to the ‘no parking’ orders of the police department is becoming more serious each day, and yet more and more auto- mobiles each year are added to the hun- dreds of thousands already trying to use our streets. ““There is only one solution that I can see, and that is to take the sidewalks for roadways, and put new sidewalks in the buildings—in other words, ar-| cade them. By this means on the 60- foot streets we would add 20 or 25 feet of usable space for automobiles and create room for two and possibly three extra lanes of traffic in these street: and on the 80 and 100 foot avenues create room for even more lines. “The loss of revenue from the rental value of square footage taken from the store floors would be a very consider- able item, but on the other hand it would be made up in other ways. Due to better traffic conditions the stores in these sections higher rents, the sidewalks being under | cover would attract more shoppers, es- pecially in bad weather (and statistics prove that we have more of a rain- fall in New York than in London— acknowledged to be one of the wettest cities), and last, but by no means least, a uniform system of arcades, well ex- | ecuted from an architectural standpoint, | would add jmmeasurably to the boauty of our streets. “Furthermore if the streets in these would command 1368 Iris Street N.W. \ The Display Home in Shepherd Park Cempletely Furnished 04 LL-BRICK, English-type, Situated on a wide, deep corner lot. \. most unusual view across Contains 6 large, bright rooms (wall space for furniture arrangement was planned in advance), 2 colored tile baths (shower). Each room orated with the latest design in imported wall papers. Beautiful color creations in paints and draperies. Kitchen, - with breakfast alcove adjoining. the most practical and beautiful we have ever created. See the Old English Den in the basement, with its Old World charm and atmos- Built of Standard Breuninger Construction, em- ploying such methods as furred walls with insulation (dead air space) and insulated attic, etc., as has been fea- phere. tured for years by Washington's Oldest and Established Builders. Directions Drive out 16th St. to Alaska Ave. 14th St., turn left to 14th and Iris Sts. 211 Investment Bldg. price. thickly populated office and store dis- ! tricts are allowed to become so con- gested, not only from automobiles, but | from pedestrian traffic as well, it will have a very bad effect on the desira-| bility of the space on the upper floors due to the trouble and waste of time in getting to and from the buildings them- selves, thus causing additional loss .of revenue through unrentable space on ’!hese floors. It is a very serious prob- em.” and ready to move 1418 Eye St. N. 1922 2nd St. N.E. TERMS BETTER THAN RENT Convenient, close-in location, in a re- stricted neighborhood. This is a bright 6-room and bath house, just redecorated Just south of Rhode Island Ave., near the new McKinley High School. Ofpen Saturday and Sunday for Inspection R HOUSE $6.650 in. Nat'l 5904 1910 37th Street ss 75 IN BURLEITH, a convenient and attractive section of English cottage-type homes, near Western High School, graded and junior high schools, bus and car lines. Also close to new Georgetown Medical and Dental School. A charming 6- room and bath, modern home in first-class condition. Flow- ers and shrubbery in front and rear yards. Paved street and glley. Very reasonable terms. Drive out Que St. to Wisconsin Ave., north one block to Reser- voir Road, west to 37th St. and right to property. Open All Day Sunday BOXESHELPS 1417 K St. ional 9300 3716 Windom PL. N.W. $11,250 Six rooms, bath, shower, complete extra lavatory, big attic, open fireplace, Frigid- aire, garage, paved street and alley and in fact every modern convenience. Tower Bldg. center-hall residence. Commands a Rock Creek Park Valley. R is cross-ventilated and dec- North Cleveland Park Two Beautiful Homes The modest price on these homes make them very outstanding in value—Come out Sunday Open and Lighted for Inspection M A poker eA Cozy Home With cAll the Charm of Early (Colonial Days 4510 Ridge St. (Chevy Chase) 3727 Van Ness St. N.W. $13,250 Eight large rooms, Frigid- aire, garage, and everything to make a good home com- plete. Semi-detached of brick and stucco. Con- structed by one of Wash- ington's leading builders. Metrop. 2663 Builders—Realtors Furnishings by—D. S. Pool Draperies by—Amos McDevitt National 2040 + $11,950.00 For the first time you are offered the opportunity to buy a home in Chevy Chase that is a true architectural gem at a reasonable price. The decorations are reproductions of early Colonial days—you will be charmed with the effect. Modern in every detail, yet quaint and homey. It contains a large living room with open fireplace, dining room, well equipped kitchen and pantry, 3 bedrooms and tiled bath with shower: garage: lot 50x125. ¢ To inspect—Drive out Commecticut Avenue to Bradley Lan turn west (left) Bradley Lane three squares to East Avewu then morth (right) on East Avenue ome block to Ridge Street, then left on Ridge Street to 4510. Open, Heated and Lighted Until 9 P.M. Daily and Sunday M. & R.B. WARREN Wis. 2873 50 Conn. Ave. | Meanwhile, construction of the five exhibition houses is proceeding at a steady rate, each week bringing ant more and more the picture the houses will present when they have been com- pleted, Jandscaped, decorated and fur- nished for the exhibition, The demonstration will start May 4 when the Colonial dwelling erecudyby Shannon & Luch, Inc., at 6502 Maple ;v:slllrx:. forest uuft{(}zlu of Chevy Chase, wn open le public of grea tation, on the Rappahannock River, | Washington for & month of exhlbltl:: King George County, Va., has been | The landscaping for this house now is purchased by John P. Hoover of | being completed and ample time re- Chicago, former president of the |mains for the furnishing, which wil Chicago Real Estate Board, accord- |be done by the Woodward & Lothrop ing to the L. S. Scott Corporation. | department store. The consideration involved was | The second house in the series, an not announced. The Belle Grove English group house erected by Waverl: use, where Madison spent most |Taylor, Inc. at 1509 Forty-fous his youth, is of Colonial style of ‘street. in Foxall, now has reached the whnecmre, which repeatedly has | finishing stage. This is a three-story en described in architectural mag- | brick dwelling featured by an interest. azine articles. The plantation con- |Ing front porch with rough hewn tim- sists of approximately 600 acres. (Continued on Third Page.) Birth Acquired By Chicago Man The_birthplace of President Mad- ison, Belle Grove estate and plan- We wish to announce that Mr. J. Aubrey Pouwell is now associated with. the Sales Department of Edw. H. Jones & Co. ne. 5520 Connecticut Ave. Chevy Chase, D. C. Chevy Chase Propertics New Detached Brick Homes CLEVELAND PARK 3721 Porter Street 3501-3505 Reno Road (Corner 34th & Ordway Streets) Priced to Sell! Open Daily & Sunday 10 A.M. to 9 P.M. Schwab, Valk & Canby 1704 Conn, Ave. Potomac 0830 ten to Thisalue! $11,500.00 An All-Brick Attractive Residence Located at 1704 Hobart St. N.-W. Near 16th & Columbis Rd. An exceptionally planned and constructed home, perfectly situated on>a commanding elevation that overlooks the wooded: hills of Rock Creex Park. Fine residential section and convenient to ‘the necessities that a dis- criminating home buyer demands. Contains 8 large, bright rooms and bath. In excellent condition, and indeed, the price is the feature. If you are interested in a home of this type be sure to inspect. Sunday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. LE Preuningers Sons 211 Investment Bldg. National 2040 Realtors