Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-09-20
IRON ARcH1rEcruRE.

lAON
Among the many important inventions ofthe
nineteenth century, there is none which for IFS
practical utility is more deserving of notice
than that which has for its object economy in
building. Many attempts have been made to
apply iron to this purpose, not only in the erec-
ton of houses, bat also in the construction of
bridges and other branches of architecture.
The fact thatthe system has never been brought
into general use is, in itself, sufficient proof
that heretofore there has been some material
objection to its practical application. The
great difficulty which it has been an object to
overcome, is the influence of extreme degrees
of heat and cold in the expansion and contrac-
ton of the material. Indeed it is we'll known
fact that this effect is not merely temporary,
but that it produces permanent change in the
molecular arrangement of the metal. Every
one is aware that high degree of temperature
once applied to iron, not only causes an imme-
date expansion, but permanently affects the
character of the metal, rendering it harder
indeed, but far more brittle than before. This
fact has prevented the general introduction Of
iron as material in building, and the great
advantages which were hoped for in durability,
in safety and economy, were in danger of being
lost to the world. In San Francisco, where,
from the rapidity Of its growth, and the scarcity
of materials and mechanics it was necessary to
construct the framework of buildings in the
eastern States, and convey them there for cree
ton, iron buildings we're generally introduced.
Their advantages and their Disadvantages were
then thoroughly tested, and among other things,
it was found that in the great fires WHICH have
so often nearly consumed that city, the iron
was warped and rendered entirely useless even
before it came in actual contact with the flames.
These difficulties seem at last TO have been
overcome by the ingenuity and energy Of Mr..
Colwell, of Philadelphia, whose plan is so sim
pie that il can be easily understood by every
one, and yet so efficient as TO meet every diff
Guilty which has been presented. A plan some
what similar, and perhaps as efficient has been
proposed by Mr.. Seaton Of Brooklyn. We con-
fess our incompetency TO decide, even with all
the facts before us, upon the relative merits Of
the two inventions. But the lucid explanation
contained in the batelligencer Of the 9Th instant
and copied by the Union Of the 18th instant, Of
the ingenious plan Of Mr.. Colwell, is SO salts
factory, simple and withal so interesting, that
we lay before our readers the following extract
at consists in the erection of a skeleton
wall, composed Of blocks or hollow cubes, or
frames Of iron, Of the thickness Of the pro
wall. These frames being placed upon each
other in the same manner as brick or stone,
cloth, felt or cement is placed between the
frames TO level them, and they are bound to
each other by clamps, so that the whole frame
is as firm as dowelled stone.work. Upon the
outside Of the skeleton wall, after it is erected,
is placed an exterior covering of plates Of iron,
which are capable Of the highest ornament.
Upon the inside is placed a latbing Of iron
game covered with plasteripg, or single brick
wall. The frames being hollow, body Of air
! is included between the interior and exterior
surfaces. This air, being an excellent non.
conductor, as is shown by the use Of double
windows, protects the interior Of the building
from extremes Of heat and cold. The princi-
pal portion Of the frame work Of the building
is enclosed in this non-conducting medium.
To .insuate these frames, so that heat should
not be communicated from the exterior or in
terror surfaces, it is only necessary to nterpose
non. conducting substances at the points Of
contact. Thus the whole frame is preserved
from expansion and contraction in n medium
Of equal temperature. BY this simple and
happy arrangement all those formidable diff.
cultes which seem to underlie the whole sys-
tenn of iron architecture, are obviated. With
a roof constructed upon the same principle,
and with double shutters filed with non.con.
Quoting substance, we have the perfect applica
ton Of the principle Of the Jireproqf safe to
buildings, and see accomplished the greatest
desideratum Of urban architecture. This build
ing is not only 6re-proof but iightning-proof
as il is well established that buildings com
posed principally Of iron are never struck BY
lightning.
"The skeleton blocks and other materials o
! this building, instead Of being adapted to onll
one particular structure or style Of architec