varied interior arrangements. Messrs. Kamper & Scott are, however, open to criticism, for including so many circular apartments in this design ; these are of little practical use and they are difficult to furnish. A few disproportioned details
may be detected on the facade and the dormer-window above the terrace seems heavy in comparison with the motive below. The general aspect has less character than in the house by Mr. Stem at St. Paul (Figure 8). Here we have a very interest
ing type of American residence; it includes perhaps a pretty large number of round forms and projections, but it is free from the charge of confusion. The porch, with semicircular
arches resting on a short angle pillar, is strong without being heavy and the corbelled turret above this single point of support is possessed of both nobility and boldness.
The Chicago house, by Mr. Cudell (Figure 9), is also interesting notwithstanding the great mixture of styles. It fur
nishes another proof of the fondness of Americans for irregularity and spirited silhouettes. The effect of color is not disregarded. Messrs. G. W. & F. D. Orff have successfully studied this in a private mansion at Minneapolis (Figure 10). The construction is in blocks of pink and white stone alternated
in a unique manner; it has a general nobility of mien which is still farther enhanced by the decoration.
The examples cited above give a tolerably accurate idea of handsome private residences in the United States. We might rank in the same category a charming house by Fraser at Pittsburgh, the fatjade of which is represented in Figure 11, and even the more modest one at Erie by Messrs. Green &
Wicks, the plan of which is comparatively regular (Figure 12).
Turning to the simpler walks of life, we find in American cottages which have a more homelike grace than English cottages, extremely interesting architectural expressions. Nothing is left to chance, nothing is sacrificed to commonplaceness ; in the apparently most ordinary interpretations there is always an individual sentiment of art and discrimination.
What could be simpler or more attractive than the wooden house shown in Figure 13? Built on a square plan and destitute of embellishments, it derives its gayety of aspect merely from the spirit with which the most inconsequential constructive elements are managed. The first story projecting over the ground- floor, the broad roof, the porch and the balcony above are sufficient to produce effects of light and shade and even of silhouette. It is simple art, but it is art.
The small house by Mr. Willis (Figures 14-15), although more studied effects are attempted here by length
ening the roofs — a disposition which American architects sometimes misuse—is also artistic.
To recapitulate, the architecture of the United States, made up from different schools and styles, and adapted to new and special needs by an essentially practical and industrious people, is full of instructiveness. Not feeling forced to follow traditions which are often incompatible with modern needs, the American architects are right in attempting merely to satisfy, as artistically as possible but also in the most practical way, the requirements of their present mode of life; and it is along that line that their productions may be studied with greatest profit.
M. Brincourt,
Fig. 9. House in Chicago.
Fig. 11. Dwelling at Pittsburgh, Pa. Fig. 12. Dwelling at Erie, Pa.
Fig. 13. House in Cincinnati, Ohio. Fig. 14. House at York, Pa.
Fig. 15. House at York, Pa.
may be detected on the facade and the dormer-window above the terrace seems heavy in comparison with the motive below. The general aspect has less character than in the house by Mr. Stem at St. Paul (Figure 8). Here we have a very interest
ing type of American residence; it includes perhaps a pretty large number of round forms and projections, but it is free from the charge of confusion. The porch, with semicircular
arches resting on a short angle pillar, is strong without being heavy and the corbelled turret above this single point of support is possessed of both nobility and boldness.
The Chicago house, by Mr. Cudell (Figure 9), is also interesting notwithstanding the great mixture of styles. It fur
nishes another proof of the fondness of Americans for irregularity and spirited silhouettes. The effect of color is not disregarded. Messrs. G. W. & F. D. Orff have successfully studied this in a private mansion at Minneapolis (Figure 10). The construction is in blocks of pink and white stone alternated
in a unique manner; it has a general nobility of mien which is still farther enhanced by the decoration.
The examples cited above give a tolerably accurate idea of handsome private residences in the United States. We might rank in the same category a charming house by Fraser at Pittsburgh, the fatjade of which is represented in Figure 11, and even the more modest one at Erie by Messrs. Green &
Wicks, the plan of which is comparatively regular (Figure 12).
Turning to the simpler walks of life, we find in American cottages which have a more homelike grace than English cottages, extremely interesting architectural expressions. Nothing is left to chance, nothing is sacrificed to commonplaceness ; in the apparently most ordinary interpretations there is always an individual sentiment of art and discrimination.
What could be simpler or more attractive than the wooden house shown in Figure 13? Built on a square plan and destitute of embellishments, it derives its gayety of aspect merely from the spirit with which the most inconsequential constructive elements are managed. The first story projecting over the ground- floor, the broad roof, the porch and the balcony above are sufficient to produce effects of light and shade and even of silhouette. It is simple art, but it is art.
The small house by Mr. Willis (Figures 14-15), although more studied effects are attempted here by length
ening the roofs — a disposition which American architects sometimes misuse—is also artistic.
To recapitulate, the architecture of the United States, made up from different schools and styles, and adapted to new and special needs by an essentially practical and industrious people, is full of instructiveness. Not feeling forced to follow traditions which are often incompatible with modern needs, the American architects are right in attempting merely to satisfy, as artistically as possible but also in the most practical way, the requirements of their present mode of life; and it is along that line that their productions may be studied with greatest profit.
M. Brincourt,
Fig. 9. House in Chicago.
Fig. 11. Dwelling at Pittsburgh, Pa. Fig. 12. Dwelling at Erie, Pa.
Fig. 13. House in Cincinnati, Ohio. Fig. 14. House at York, Pa.
Fig. 15. House at York, Pa.