The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1869-12-16
Building.
LOCATION AND ARCHITECTURE.

LOCATION AND ARCHITECTURE.
In view of the spirit Of improvement
which is abroad in our community, and the
general disposition to build which prevails,
We feel impelled to make few suggestions
to our readers. In erecting building either
for a residence or business purposes the two
most important matters to be considered are
location and architectural proportion. These
are the points which in our judgment are of
primary Importance, and in reference to which
the least regard should be paid to economy
Yet, strange to say, they are points on which
most men are disposed to exhibit contract
ed and niggardly spirit. In purchasing
lot they vii! sickle about few dollars, while
they will squander hundreds in the building.
And in erecting their houses, they will waste
large sums in ill-arranged and unsightly
structures rather than pay small sum, to
a competent architect to furnish them the
plan of commodious and we'll proportioued
ediGce 1t would seem as if all men regard
ed themselves as born architects and states
men. Almost any one you meet, thinks he is
fully competent to plan house, aid to form
wise constitution for the government Of the
country!
The truth is, Architecture is one of the
most complicated sciences. To become
good architect man must possess very pecu-
liar qualifications. He must have sound
judgment correct eye, refined taste, and a
thorough knowledge Of the principles of
mechanics Some of these qualities are the
gift of Proyideuce-others are the result of
careful and laborious study.
| The market value, as well as the intrinsic
worth Of house, depends; very much, on its
location and architectural beauty and proper
ton. These can only be secured by the
exercise of taste and science. The eleva-
ton must bear the proper relation to the
length and breadth The SIZE of the win
dows and doors, their proper arrangement,
the depth of the cornice, the slope and
projection of the roof, are all matters of
careful study, and to be adjusted by
rules known only to the professional ascbi-
tect.
How often do We see unsightly masses Of
brick and mortar, heaped together with win
dows like loopholes, narrow cornice, steep
roof and contracted ewes, in utter disregard
Of every principle Of good taste! Such a
building may suit the narrow views of the
narrow man who erects and inhabits it, But
who would buy such house at any thing
| like its cost? Such an cdi6ce is not worth
the materials that are worked into it. Any
one disposed to purchase would, at once, be-
gin to calculate the cost of re-modelling it,
and abute that amount from the price that
he is willing to pay for it, and thus so much
is lost to the proprietor.
In selecting location the first considera-
ton should be health. To secure that, ex-
emption from dampness is indispensabl e.-
A sunny, dry, cheerful lot, should always be
preferred. IF it costs little more that is a
small consideration, in matter which affects
the comfort, health, and happiness of fami-
| ly for a lifetime.
After the lot is selected, consult an archi-
| tect-make known to him, the size of your
family-the number Of servants-aud in a
word, all you may want in regard to your
house. You can of course give him some
| general idea Of the character of house you
want-the purposes for which you need it.
and the amount you may be able to expend
| upon it, Having done this, let him study
your lot, having due regard to Its topograph-
ical conformation, and its relations to other
lots, and make you out a plan. The chances
! are ten to one that his experience will ena-
BILE him to suggest many conveniences that
you had not dreamed Of Having finally de-
termined on your plan, let him see that it is
properly carried out, and you will never find
occasion to regret your prudent precautions.
Most men build in too great a hurry They
conceive the idea Of putting up a house, and
set about it in hot haste, without proper
plans, or due preparation. They make con.
siderable progress and find that they have
made blunders. Then they set to work to
remedy the faults occasioncd by undue haste,
and large sums are expended in repairing
mistakes, that proper foresight might have
avoided It is in this way the majority Of
men find that houses cost them one third more
than they had expected. That amount
is expended in correcting errors or supply
ing omissions, Which would never have ia
ken place under the supervision of an archi-
tect. Almost every one who builds, will tell
you that if he had the job to do over again,
he could build better house for less money
Why is this? tt is because he had learned
something from experience. In other words
he has discovered (when too late) his own
incompetency to plan We now suggest,
chat our fellow citizens, who propose to build,
shall buy this experience at the cheapest rate