Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-08
OPEN FOR CRITICISM,
Engineers Examine the Car
negie Library Building.
ARCHITECTS ADMIRE TT.
Wonderful Beauties of the Library
and Music Hall.
CHAIRMAN JAMES B. SC0TT'S WORK
The Purpose to Which the Edifce Will Be
Devoted Explained.
CHAIRMAN JAMES B. SCOTTS WORK
The Purpose to Which the Edifce Will Be
Devoted Explained.
TO BE COMPLETED By JANUARY FIRST

SIC dall are thrown open THAI AlleSueng
CITY has been the recipient of a gift not
only unique OF its kind, but model of
architectural beauty. In the fruition OF
Mr.. Carnegie's purposes there have been
three factors outside of the gift of the
money, viz, Architect Peils genius,
Mr. James B. Scott's common sense
and the constructive ability of the resident
architect, General Steinmetz. Mr.. Pell's
specifications, while always distinguished
for beauty, were not always entirely practi-
cal. Mr.. Scott, as Chairman of the commits
sion having the building in charge, has
made radical changes IN the details, which
have been faithfully carried out by the con-
structor, and it is not by any means too early
to see that the result has been a building of
unequaled beauty, but at the same time
fully measuring up to the requirements.
The donor may we'll be proud of such a last
ing monument of his generosity.
The first formal inspection of the build
ings took place yesterday, the German
Technic Society of the two cities having
been invited to go over the edifces by
Messrs. Steinmetz and Krause. The engi-
neers composing the society were manifestly
delighted with what they saw.
A DISPATCH reporter wandered around
the Enclosure and was so fortunate as to en-
counter Chairman Scott, who gives por-
tion of each day to the practical supervision
OF the progress of the work. Under his
guidance a tour of the buildings was made.
An inspection of the graceful front on the
Federal street side reveals many beauties
The alternate courses of granite
are a pleasing depression. A 24-inch
course is followed by an S-inch
course in the construction of the entire ex-
terror. The windows, while square or OBJ
long in form, are invariably marked by
round columns of cut granite with rounded
pediments and terminating in faliated
capitals. The semi-circular curves formed
by imbedded arches above the windows, in
common with the vertical lines of columns,
constitute what is known as the purely
''Romanesque" style of architecture
SOME REMARKABLE EFFECTS.
Chairman Scott explained that vertical
lines and semi-circles in combination were
the essential elements of the ROmanesque
style. The effect is certainly very remark
able, especially in the graceful tower where
the vertical lines rise for many feet and
finally terminate in the curved archways.
The summit of the tower is
very beautiful. There is a colon
ade with short towers, then
plain space pierced by round portfolios with
the huge clock dials-one set black with
gilt letters for daylight, the other set illu-
minated for highland inside of this portion
of the tower will be placed the clock ma
chinerv. Growing all is an apex built of
huge cut stone overlapping tiles with a
graduation so gentle as to impart much |
beauty to the tower.
The Federal street frontages are both |
gabled with turreted corners, crowned bv |
carved finals. The effect is very pleasing |
to the eye.
Entering hall with small room under |
the tower at the right hand and the stone (
stairway leading to the second floor on the |
LETT, the library reception room is seen. If |
it were round it would be called rotunda, |
From the arcbway entrance clear through |
the reception and reading rooms extends |
one of the finest mosaic floors ever put down |
in the United States. The pattern is indis.
crlminate-itS chief beauTy-until the exact
CCulCl vi lllC lSSSpIlOu lOOlu Is ltdCueQ. W1efe
there is seen a serpentine mosaic OF rare
beauty. The words Carnegie Library
are within the inner circle worked in
mosaic. AT the four corners are other cir
cles with the outer edge of the inner circle
lnterlacing central pattern. The various
colors of quartz are blended in a most
artistic manner. There are larger mosaic
patterns in the Capitol at Washington, but
in no public building in the country is any.
thing that in delicacy of design transcends
this work Of art.
THE DESCENT TO AvERNUS.
Here, said Mr.. Scott, pointing out a
flight OF stairs leading downward from the
entrance hall, sis the descent to avernus.
When we have finished the cellar it will be
as clean, white and dry as the rest of the
building. No connection with city sewers
and no chance for underground moisture to
destroy valuable Volumes
The system OF delivering hot air by means
of an 11-toot blower, in connection with a
huge furnace, was then explained. The
huge pipes converge to every room in the
building. The system of electric lighting
also centers in the furnace room.
In regard to the magnificent columns
(which grace all sides of the library reception
room, Mr. Scott said: "These mark an era
in the erection of public buildings. For
years it has been the custom to cover iron
pillars with stucco, but it has been done by
making the covering in two halves and ioin-
ing them around the center. These columns
have been nodded to their graceful proper
tions at one job, and the lines are SO exact
as to defy criticism. By making use of
plaster of paris a marble effect is attained. |
You will notice that the whole interior of
this room is treated in the Romanesoue
style"
The interior is indeed wonderfully beau
full. The division of the reception, reading |
and photographed rooms is accomplished |
by the stately white pillars which rise from
square pediments and terminate in foliated
capitals of lavish design. Light is admitted
to the reception room by peaked skylight.
But on a level of the ceiling has been placed
a gridiron covering of elaborate design pre-
senting fat surface upon which ground
glass will be laid. The effect will be to con-
ceal the naked and unbeautiful outlines of
the skylight supports. This innovation is at
to Mr.. Scott's inventive powers.
PLEASANT READING ROOM. :
The reading room is a large apartment, 9
well lighted from the Ohio street side. A
row of settees will run around the walls, Z
while a large reading table of the exact /
shape of a horseshoe will accommodate
book worms and the public in general. A
graceful arch separates the main room from +
the ladies' apartment The arch will be
Dutch fireplace is distinguishing feature !
of the reception room. The so-called
photographed" room is a space which
may be utilized for stands of fine prints or &
folios. Mr.. Scott's explanation of the
library details was rerv interestino taTha ! 4.