THE PUBLISHERS’ PAGE
PHOTOGRAPHS of the new building of the National American Company, New York, are reproduced in this issue to illustrate an article in the Department of Interior Architecture on the importance of designing commercial buildings along good architectural lines. Joseph H. Freedlander, F. A. I. A., the architect of the building, is quoted in the article as stating that, because a building is devoted entirely to business purposes, it need not necessarily be lacking in character and refinement. The business which the building houses may limit its design as to style — for the purpose which a building serves should be expressed in its architectural treatment — but this merely makes the problem of the architect that much more difficult. His problem in every case is to design buildings that will possess certain art qualities. His success is determined by the manner in which he solves the problem based on the conditions which it imposes. We feel that Mr. Freedlander has been especially successful in the design of the National American Company building, and that our readers will find inspiration in a careful study of the article and its illustrations.
We are to publish in an early issue an instructive article on the design of stores and shop fronts. The article has been written by Walter March, New York architect, who, until he came to this country three years ago, was practicing in Berlin, Germany. He has made a special study of the design of shop fronts and brought with him to America some modern ideas which are today being used with such success in European countries. The article will be illustrated by shop fronts and stores in the United States and European countries. In these days when merchants recognize the value of good architecture and the lure which it holds to their customers, a comprehensive article on this modern subject is eagerly looked forward to.
Mr. March contributed an article to this magazine a year ago, on the German Sportsforum at Berlin, which is now being built by the Federal government, according to Mr. March’s plans, which won a prize amongst German architects.
The next issue, that of June 5th, will be largely devoted to the activities of the recent convention of The American Institute of Architects. As the convention was held in St. Louis, we have taken this opportunity to include an interesting article by Louis La Beaume, F. A. I. A., a St. Louis architect of high standing, on “Early Architecture of St. Louis, ” treating from the time of the sale of the city by Napoleon to the United States, up to the end of the last century. Mr. La Beaume’s article will be illustrated by photographs of early St. Louis architecture, some examples of which are still standing while others have long since been demolished to make way for more modern structures. Mr. La Beaume emphasizes the influence of the work of such men as Richardson, McKim and Hunt on the development of architecture along the Mississippi valley and credits the firm of Eames and Young for no small part in the city’s attaining the high standards in architecture which it has so long cherished. The appeal of Mr. La Beaume’s article might result in the inauguration of a series of similar articles dealing with the early architectural development of other large cities in the country. We would be pleased to learn the reactions of our readers.
We have made it a point to put aside several pages each issue for the presentation of preliminary sketches of proposed buildings. Those that have recently come to us have in almost every case been skyscrapers of the setback type. It is interesting, we think, to note carefully how various architects handle mass form to conform to the zoning laws. While there is of necessity a certain similarity of buildings which allow of comparison, on account of size and height, there is apparently an opportunity for original expression. It is our desire to obtain preliminary studies of buildings of various types from architects all over the country. We would be extremely grateful if subscribers would forward to us photographic prints of such sketches for publication in THE AMERICAN ARCHITECT to give our readers an opportunity to learn “how the other fellow does it. ”
Please do us a favor. If your magazine does not come regularly on time, drop us a postcard or a letter. Address us — 501 Fifth Avenue, New York City.
PHOTOGRAPHS of the new building of the National American Company, New York, are reproduced in this issue to illustrate an article in the Department of Interior Architecture on the importance of designing commercial buildings along good architectural lines. Joseph H. Freedlander, F. A. I. A., the architect of the building, is quoted in the article as stating that, because a building is devoted entirely to business purposes, it need not necessarily be lacking in character and refinement. The business which the building houses may limit its design as to style — for the purpose which a building serves should be expressed in its architectural treatment — but this merely makes the problem of the architect that much more difficult. His problem in every case is to design buildings that will possess certain art qualities. His success is determined by the manner in which he solves the problem based on the conditions which it imposes. We feel that Mr. Freedlander has been especially successful in the design of the National American Company building, and that our readers will find inspiration in a careful study of the article and its illustrations.
We are to publish in an early issue an instructive article on the design of stores and shop fronts. The article has been written by Walter March, New York architect, who, until he came to this country three years ago, was practicing in Berlin, Germany. He has made a special study of the design of shop fronts and brought with him to America some modern ideas which are today being used with such success in European countries. The article will be illustrated by shop fronts and stores in the United States and European countries. In these days when merchants recognize the value of good architecture and the lure which it holds to their customers, a comprehensive article on this modern subject is eagerly looked forward to.
Mr. March contributed an article to this magazine a year ago, on the German Sportsforum at Berlin, which is now being built by the Federal government, according to Mr. March’s plans, which won a prize amongst German architects.
The next issue, that of June 5th, will be largely devoted to the activities of the recent convention of The American Institute of Architects. As the convention was held in St. Louis, we have taken this opportunity to include an interesting article by Louis La Beaume, F. A. I. A., a St. Louis architect of high standing, on “Early Architecture of St. Louis, ” treating from the time of the sale of the city by Napoleon to the United States, up to the end of the last century. Mr. La Beaume’s article will be illustrated by photographs of early St. Louis architecture, some examples of which are still standing while others have long since been demolished to make way for more modern structures. Mr. La Beaume emphasizes the influence of the work of such men as Richardson, McKim and Hunt on the development of architecture along the Mississippi valley and credits the firm of Eames and Young for no small part in the city’s attaining the high standards in architecture which it has so long cherished. The appeal of Mr. La Beaume’s article might result in the inauguration of a series of similar articles dealing with the early architectural development of other large cities in the country. We would be pleased to learn the reactions of our readers.
We have made it a point to put aside several pages each issue for the presentation of preliminary sketches of proposed buildings. Those that have recently come to us have in almost every case been skyscrapers of the setback type. It is interesting, we think, to note carefully how various architects handle mass form to conform to the zoning laws. While there is of necessity a certain similarity of buildings which allow of comparison, on account of size and height, there is apparently an opportunity for original expression. It is our desire to obtain preliminary studies of buildings of various types from architects all over the country. We would be extremely grateful if subscribers would forward to us photographic prints of such sketches for publication in THE AMERICAN ARCHITECT to give our readers an opportunity to learn “how the other fellow does it. ”
Please do us a favor. If your magazine does not come regularly on time, drop us a postcard or a letter. Address us — 501 Fifth Avenue, New York City.