The National tribune., 1883-01-11
A HOME OF IRON.
The Novel Dwelling which Pennsylvania Man has
Projected.

The Novel Dwelling which Pennsylvania aan has
Projected.
George L. Huston, Of Parkesburg Chester
county, Penn, is about to build p8latial prif
vate mansion for himself entirely of iron, the
foundations being of solid rock. The archi-
tect is an Englishman whom Mr. Huston met
while abroad The iron work is now being
turned out at Coatesviile, as the superstructure
is to be of iron entirely. The floor of the hall,
vestibuIs and library will be laid with polished
cast-irOn tiles, in which different qualities Of
iron will be used to produce the same variety
of color as in ordinary tile flooring. All the
other floors of the house will be Of stout iron
plates firmly bOlted to the iron jOists The
outside wall and inside partitions all through
the structure will be composed of two courses
of iron plates firmly boltod together SO rs to
be air-tight. These hollow iron walls and par
titiOns will be used instead Of Chmneys and
for conveying heat to different parts of the
house. and for ventilation. The hot smoke
and gases from the furnaces passing through
the sides of the rooms in this way WILL it is
claimed, be almost sufficient TO keep the house
comfortable in the coldest weather, so that the
heating can be done with about One-half the
fuel required in ordinary houses. All the
doors and window sashes will also be Of iron,
but will be constructed in such light way and
so nicely balanced upon hinges and weights as
| to open and shut as e2sily as those made Of
wood. All the inside walls and partitions will
! be handsomely painted and frescOed SO as to
! present the appearance of an ordinary house
finished in plaster. Outside, the style of archi-
tectecture will be light and graceful, and it
/ will be PAINTED and Ornamented so as to look
! as if it was built Of wood. The roof will be of
! strong boiler-pl and on the top, at the con-
vergence of the four gables, will be handsome
| observatory supported at the four corners by
| four Ionic pillars of iron. Inside, the orna-
ments will be made Of the same material. In
| the parlor will be q mantel of polished steel,
! handsomely ornamented. There will be q SINH
lar one in the dining-rOOm upon which will be
! engraved hunting scenes. In the library will
/ be massive mantel so constructed that il will
look as if it were made Of pig iron fused to-
! gether. Quite curiosity in this room will be
Il cabinet for the exhibition of specimens of
| iron. This will be constructed entirely Of
strongly magnetized iron, so that all the speci-
mems viii adhere to the back of it, held in
| place solely by magnetic attraction. LII order
to guard against the bulging which would
| take place in such Il solid iron structure on
account of the contraction or expansion caused
! by the heat and cold, there will be breaks in
| the iron at intervals, which will be filed with
rubber, so that when expansion takes place
there will be room for it without producing
| any change in the contour of the framework.
AS much as possible of the furniture will also
| be of iron, so that if it takes fire in any part,
nothing can burn but the carpets and the few
articles of wood that may be within reach of the
| flames. The house VIII be an architectural
and scientific curiosity. Mr.. Huston admits
! that it may cost twice or three tunes as much as
an ordinary house. but claims that with a little
attention it will last for centuries without re-
pairs, and Will never cost Il cent for insurance.