THE PUBLISHERS’ PAGE
We call attention to an editorial in a recent issue in which we discussed the possibility of naming a five-foot shelf of architectural books. We are publishing on another page one of several replies to our request for suggestions. The list comprises twenty-two books, all valuable and worth while publications. A question comes into our minds, however, as to whether the list is a practical one. Among the books included are certain ones which, we think, are out of print. And others are so expensive that the cost of this five-foot shelf, if it were possible to duplicate it, is beyond the means of the architects that we imagine would be interesting in starting a library with this five-foot shelf as a nucleus. We would welcome more suggestions.
Speaking of libraries, we wonder how many subscribers realize what a complete library is included in the twenty-four issues of THE AMER ICAN ARCHITECT published every year? Among the buildings illustrated in the various issues are houses, churches, municipal buildings, libraries, educational buildings, and so on. While we do not profess to publish all of the best material that this country produces, it is our ambition to publish photographic illustrations and scale drawings of a goodly share, and in the collection of this material, too, we ask our subscribers’ assistance. We seldom devote an entire issue to one particular subject, for the reason that we feel it does not have the same general appeal to our readers that an issue covering different types of buildings possesses. Moreover, there is an element of timeliness in the selection of various subjects for publication, and to devote an entire issue to one subject or type of building is to ignore other subjects of equal timely interest. The publication that devotes an entire issue or number to one subject, partakes of the nature of a book more than it does of a magazine.
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Kirkham and Parlett were the architects of the home office building of the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company in Springfield, Mass., which will be illustrated in an early issue of this journal. This excellently planned and dignified administrative building should be found of interest to many of our readers. We are informed by the architects that after the preliminary studies for the building were completed, many recently erected insurance buildings in the United States and Canada were inspected before final plans were developed. It is of interest to note that this structure has been designed for both horizontal and vertical expansion.
Our subscribers may be interested in learning that the series of working photographs selected from the collection made by Dwight James Baum, architect, will be continued indefinitely as a regular feature of this journal. The favorable comment accorded this series of illustrations leaves no doubt as to their value.
Among other interesting material that will be presented in the near future is the recently completed gymnasium at the University of Illinois designed by Charles A. Platt, architect, and James M. White, associate architect. A simple, straightforward and altogether pleasing solution of the problem is demonstrated in this structure.
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The practical article by Harry F. Tapp, technologist of the American Oil Burner Association, entitled Heating the House with Oil, and presented in our Department of Engineering and Construction, issue of September 5th, was both timely and instructive. Mr. Tapp’s simple, direct style removes much of the “dry as dust” aspect usually present in articles of similar character. In the current issue there appears a second article by Mr. Tapp. We are confident that it will be as well received and widely read as the first. The second article covers, in the same unbiased and easily understood text as the first, another field of oil burning for heating. Oil as a heat supplying fuel has become an important consideration in the design of heating equipment for all types of buildings. We feel that all of our readers will be well repaid for the time taken to read both of Mr. Tapp’s articles. If you did not read the first contained in the issue of September 5th, may we suggest that you do so now.
*****
Glass in building construction is used principally for the glazing of doors and windows, vault lights, skylights and ceiling lights. Glass for lighting fixtures might also be properly included in this list. In this issue the reader will find an interesting description and numerous illustrations of cast glass used as a decorative and structural product. This product, more commonly referred to as relief glass, is one developed in Europe and recently introduced into the United States. While largely used for ceilings, relief glass has many other uses that are suggested by the illustrations. Others will no doubt occur to those who read the text and carefully examine the engravings.
We call attention to an editorial in a recent issue in which we discussed the possibility of naming a five-foot shelf of architectural books. We are publishing on another page one of several replies to our request for suggestions. The list comprises twenty-two books, all valuable and worth while publications. A question comes into our minds, however, as to whether the list is a practical one. Among the books included are certain ones which, we think, are out of print. And others are so expensive that the cost of this five-foot shelf, if it were possible to duplicate it, is beyond the means of the architects that we imagine would be interesting in starting a library with this five-foot shelf as a nucleus. We would welcome more suggestions.
Speaking of libraries, we wonder how many subscribers realize what a complete library is included in the twenty-four issues of THE AMER ICAN ARCHITECT published every year? Among the buildings illustrated in the various issues are houses, churches, municipal buildings, libraries, educational buildings, and so on. While we do not profess to publish all of the best material that this country produces, it is our ambition to publish photographic illustrations and scale drawings of a goodly share, and in the collection of this material, too, we ask our subscribers’ assistance. We seldom devote an entire issue to one particular subject, for the reason that we feel it does not have the same general appeal to our readers that an issue covering different types of buildings possesses. Moreover, there is an element of timeliness in the selection of various subjects for publication, and to devote an entire issue to one subject or type of building is to ignore other subjects of equal timely interest. The publication that devotes an entire issue or number to one subject, partakes of the nature of a book more than it does of a magazine.
*****
Kirkham and Parlett were the architects of the home office building of the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company in Springfield, Mass., which will be illustrated in an early issue of this journal. This excellently planned and dignified administrative building should be found of interest to many of our readers. We are informed by the architects that after the preliminary studies for the building were completed, many recently erected insurance buildings in the United States and Canada were inspected before final plans were developed. It is of interest to note that this structure has been designed for both horizontal and vertical expansion.
Our subscribers may be interested in learning that the series of working photographs selected from the collection made by Dwight James Baum, architect, will be continued indefinitely as a regular feature of this journal. The favorable comment accorded this series of illustrations leaves no doubt as to their value.
Among other interesting material that will be presented in the near future is the recently completed gymnasium at the University of Illinois designed by Charles A. Platt, architect, and James M. White, associate architect. A simple, straightforward and altogether pleasing solution of the problem is demonstrated in this structure.
****
The practical article by Harry F. Tapp, technologist of the American Oil Burner Association, entitled Heating the House with Oil, and presented in our Department of Engineering and Construction, issue of September 5th, was both timely and instructive. Mr. Tapp’s simple, direct style removes much of the “dry as dust” aspect usually present in articles of similar character. In the current issue there appears a second article by Mr. Tapp. We are confident that it will be as well received and widely read as the first. The second article covers, in the same unbiased and easily understood text as the first, another field of oil burning for heating. Oil as a heat supplying fuel has become an important consideration in the design of heating equipment for all types of buildings. We feel that all of our readers will be well repaid for the time taken to read both of Mr. Tapp’s articles. If you did not read the first contained in the issue of September 5th, may we suggest that you do so now.
*****
Glass in building construction is used principally for the glazing of doors and windows, vault lights, skylights and ceiling lights. Glass for lighting fixtures might also be properly included in this list. In this issue the reader will find an interesting description and numerous illustrations of cast glass used as a decorative and structural product. This product, more commonly referred to as relief glass, is one developed in Europe and recently introduced into the United States. While largely used for ceilings, relief glass has many other uses that are suggested by the illustrations. Others will no doubt occur to those who read the text and carefully examine the engravings.