ARCHITECTURE OF THE UNITED STATES.1 —III.
PRIVATE ARCHITECTURE.
THE private architecture of the United States possesses all the qualities needed to attract and charm. It is varied,
original, spirited and graceful, and it is rare that one encounters in it the stiffness that sometimes mars the civil
structures. Even in cities, where the obligation to build in line and the question of joint ownership necessarily interfere with picturesque effects, American architects succeed, by means of
cleverly managed projections, gables, dormer-windows and balconies, in giving an individual character to their houses.
The block of New York residences, by Charles Romeyn,
represented in Figure 1 shows how an architect can reconcile perfect symmetry with a pleasing variety of aspect.
The Cincinnati house by H. E. Siter, given in Figure 2, has not a broad facade; but by the fashion in which it is treated
we are made to recognize the importance of the structure behind it. The plan, which is all in the length, in fact confirms this impression; it is very well disposed and initiates us into the arrangements for comfort that exist in American homes,—all the little corners and closets so convenient for family use.
Fig. 1. Block of Houses, New York. Fig. 2. House in Cincinnati, Ohio. Fig. 3. House on Fifth Avenue, New York.
Fig. 4. Types of Porches. Fig. 5. Types of Porches. Fig. 6. Types of Porches.
Fig. 8. The Palazzo, St. Paul, Minn.
1 From the French of M. Brincourt, in Planat’s “Encyclopedic de l Architecture
et de la Construction. Continued from No. 813, page 51.
PRIVATE ARCHITECTURE.
THE private architecture of the United States possesses all the qualities needed to attract and charm. It is varied,
original, spirited and graceful, and it is rare that one encounters in it the stiffness that sometimes mars the civil
structures. Even in cities, where the obligation to build in line and the question of joint ownership necessarily interfere with picturesque effects, American architects succeed, by means of
cleverly managed projections, gables, dormer-windows and balconies, in giving an individual character to their houses.
The block of New York residences, by Charles Romeyn,
represented in Figure 1 shows how an architect can reconcile perfect symmetry with a pleasing variety of aspect.
The Cincinnati house by H. E. Siter, given in Figure 2, has not a broad facade; but by the fashion in which it is treated
we are made to recognize the importance of the structure behind it. The plan, which is all in the length, in fact confirms this impression; it is very well disposed and initiates us into the arrangements for comfort that exist in American homes,—all the little corners and closets so convenient for family use.
Fig. 1. Block of Houses, New York. Fig. 2. House in Cincinnati, Ohio. Fig. 3. House on Fifth Avenue, New York.
Fig. 4. Types of Porches. Fig. 5. Types of Porches. Fig. 6. Types of Porches.
Fig. 8. The Palazzo, St. Paul, Minn.
1 From the French of M. Brincourt, in Planat’s “Encyclopedic de l Architecture
et de la Construction. Continued from No. 813, page 51.