The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-03-03

,ne windows, as is always the case with open fires
iiad The method of heating the air by means of
e'o'es or furnaces placed in the chambers been
auop,ou' would have objected To depending
wholly on furnace heat; but the present plan of
hea,hg peing unobectionable in point of health as
wen as comfort, and bong perfectly safe as il
- h'os h'e' am or opinion that the dispensing
=" :. rlres is rather an advantage than evil
fhe second alteration rendered necessary by the
changing OF the PLAN Is in the finishing of the stair
ways. These stairways were designed To extend
to the top of the building; but when it was con.
Guided to throw the upper story into one large
room, they were not only rendered useless but
highly Objectionable. they would interfere with
the unity of the room. and render it difficult
10 manage as an exhibition room, or museum of
models, by unnecessarily multiplying the means
OF lngress and egress. therefore propose to throw
an arch over each stairway with circular sky
light In the centre, directly under the skylights III
the ROOT. and to be connected with them by circu.
lar well-holes, around which may be
struced to receive small models; this plan will dis
guisc the use Of them, and appear ornamental in
the room. while at the same time abundant light
will be afforded TO the stairways below. A plan Of
tbs alteration will accompany this report.
ne necessity OF third alteration presents itself
IN the condition OF the columns in the stairways of
the second story. The original plan contemplated
the repetition OF columns in the third story over
those below; but when it decided to throw the
whole OF this story into one room, these columns
Huu W NC ulSpeHSeu Will, WHICH lcIt tnO6c OIL Tie
second story without sufficient weight on them to
resist the thrust OF the arches, which, it should be
remarked, were 80 formed as to resolve their hor
zontal pressure directly the columns; the conse-
quence Is, they have yielded to the force thus
erted upon them, those OF the north stairway being
more than an inch out OF perpendicular; il would
therefore be hazardous to allow them to remain in
Their present condition. am of opinion that the
three small arches which spring from the col
unns opposite each stairway in the second story
should be taken down and a UrDin arch m al mol
span substituted, which would relieve the columns
OF all horizontal PRESSURE and resolve the thrust
the walls OF the building.
As II has been considered importan to finish the
rooms designated Tor the accommodation of the
Department Of the Interior lat early q day as
possible, am urging on that portion Of the work
much faster than the rest, and there is no doubt
that all these rooms may be finished in the month
OF February; but question whether il would be
prudent to occupy them this winter The whole in
terror may be finished by the Let of July next and
the entire building by the close of the ensuing
The amount of expenditures on account of both
wings of the Patent Office buildings TO the I'd of
December, 1851 as furnished me by the Commits
sloner OF Public Buildings, is s 800, l42 90
The per centage retained on the seve
raj contracts amounts to............ 10000 90
The sum required TO finish the east
wing, including pavements, iron
railing, &c ,is....,............... 1872 ,9S5 20
Making .................. S533,l 90
From which Is to be deducted the cost
OF the materials and workmanship of
the ,oest tDing, estimated at........ 1900 90
Leaving, as the whole cost of the east
wing, when completed ..,......... S52l ,l27 90
The plans Of the tcest ICING, which are herewith
submitted, contemplate the construction of each
story In one continuous room of 90 feet in width
and 30 feet IN length the floors TO be supported
by arches sprlnging from granite piers in the sub
basement and tue basement, and from marble
piers in the principal and attic stories
As no definite conclusions have been arrived nj
IN reference TO the appropriation OF the rooms in
this wing, have designed the building through
out so as 70 admit OF any disposition of rooms
that may hereafter be found to be convenient by
running up brick partitions between tho piers.
Ia the design for the vaulting of this wing |
have avoided resolving the horizontal thrust of
any OF the arches on the outside walls. which will
tend greatly to its psrmanency and durability, and
prevent the fractures which 50 often disfgure
vauled buildings
| propose to carry out the same system Of heat
ing and yentlating in THE building as in the east
wing, aud TO give 1t the same general finish.
The entire cost of this wing, including all the
necessary payenents, iron ratings, &c, will
d.. .......,............... $500 90
The granite and other materials al
ready prepared for this part of the
work, and which have been paid for,
are worth about. .................. 1900 90
Leaving as the sum required to com.
plcte the western wing. < 533 900 20
In consequence Of the great descent Of the west.
crn half Of the Patent Office square the wet wing
viii have sub basement Of seventeen feet in height
entirely out Of the ground, making one story more
IN THE than IN the eastern wing. This will account,
ia some measure, for the difference Of cost between
the two wings.
As the centre building constitutes an important
feature IN the general design OF the Patent Ofcc
Il wall be necessary TO bring il as nearly as posi-.
Die into harmony with the wings. The basement
windows are now much smaller than those Of the
east wing; therefore suggest the propriety OF cut
ting them out and putting in frames with
sash double hung, and inside shutters, TO bring
them into conformity TO those Of the wings; this al
terauon u necessary rot only to the beauty Of the
design but also TO the comfort and convenience of
the clerks who occupy the rooms they light as the
present sash not hung at all and the windows
arc too small for apartments 10 be occupied as Of
hcos
Another incongruity in the external appearance
10 the rock work Of the basement of the centre
building, standing, az II does in unts position with
the smooth marble basement Of the wing; aud re-
sp'ctiully recommend, a method Of obyiatng as
FAR a. pOsslble this objection, that the rough sur
face Of the granite work be dressed of and brought
A. nearly into conformity TO the marble may be-
done Without cutting u into rustics. arm Of opin-
ION that u would be hazardous TO attempt To rusu
cate this part Of the work 10 correspond with the
wing, az u Is very doubtful whether the joints
WOULD hold good 20 the depth OF the rustics. II, !
however. the wall is brought 10 a smooth surface
and painted like the rest Of the building tho want
Of entire uniformity would not be observed a. the
difference IN color interieres more with the unity
Of the design than the want Of exact congruiy in
form.
The alteration Il the basement windows az here
suggested VIII cOst..................s $50 90
And the dressing off and painting Of the
granite work ........-.............. 2I5O 90
Making for the improvement Of tho cen.
uc building ......................S 3, 200 90
The means that we're taken, before the work was
placed in my charge, 20 arrest the settling Of the
western end Of the centre building, by underpin.
ming II, and building heavy buttresses against the
western wall. have been successful; but am Of
opinion that the erection Of the western wing is cs
ssntlal TO the pcrmancncy Of the structure.
THOMAS L. WALTER
Architect Of Public Buitdin0s