New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-01-25
THE AMERICAN IDEI or ARCHITECTURE.

me ANEHitIN IDEI OF IhtHII lev ne
The intelligent men and women who go
housc-hunting in this metropolis often become
the prey to amaZement They are unable to
understand why so many flats and other dwell
ingS which are offered for rent or for sale are
designed so poorly. They are confronted with
halls obviously too broad or too narrow with
stairwayS starting ut the front door or about as
steep rs the regulation prccipicc in the dime
novel with parloriiCOr which Is badly pro-
pOrtioncd; with bathrooms placed 50 that their
presence prOtrudeS: with too much drawing
room and too little closet room; with made
quate provision for light and ventilation and
generally from cellar to garrett what seems TO
the houSchOldCrS an unaccountabe misuse OF
opportunitcs II is not claimed that most Of
the buildings in question are of this sort but
they certainly constitute a large minority. What
is the trouble? Shall we conclude that the
twilight is settling upon current architecture
lust as it has been contcndcd by foremost
critic that the twilight has enwIappcd poetry ?
1.-The Record and Guide" which pays special
attention to architecture. offers an explanation.
II is not an agreeable one. but il is interesting
and suggestive. This journal holds that the
dominant conditions OF American architecture
"are not those that make for the greatest beauty
or the highest health or for charm. but for
tho larrc>, return in cash" The spirit Of this
age of ours being distinctivcly the material
spirit it is perhaps 10 be expected that the
professions will exhibit a tendency to de-
generate into moro branches of business Hence
il bchooycS archicctS-aS it bchoovcS lawyers
and other professional mcn-by means of aSso-
Citations and related agencies to strive earnestly
10 uph I'D and advance professional standards.
Il is not unlikely that the architects of the
country will take issue with "Thc Record and
Guidc " and if they do 4 discussion j. sure to on
sue which viii prove beneficial to all concerned
since il will bring ont the facts and pave the way
for the accomplishment Of some needed reforms
In fact such a discussion has already began.
\ CORRESPONDENT of " Science" writing from The
school Of Architecture Of the University OF
PENNSYLVANIA. indOrScS the drastic criticism Of
1.-THE Record and Guide; He asserts That
brief wall, through almost any street of our
chief cities viii show that " the idea of art
quality, of utility, Of the natural effect of en-
viunmcnt, and many similar caIroS whose in
nucnce is to be traced in all good architecture
of previous periods. are quite wanting in the
art Of the present day and gcncTa'ion.' Say
ing this, the correspondent proceeds 90 specify
what he regard, a> the leading fault Of the
average architect. He argues that the archi-
tcct paws too much attention 10 oXtcmoTS and
bv way Of establishing his contention he places
in evidence the recent exhibition Of the Archi-
tcctural League in this city. This exhibition,
according 10 the correspondent, cannot he
viewed aS at all satisfactory 10 the general
public if was designed 20 instruct, and this not
because the work shown was of an inferior
quality: not because it was lacking in firm,
intelligent treatment or WIS deficient in ideas,
but because the drawings consisted So'cly Of
extcrorS and picturesque effects
II it is true, and this writer believes it is,
that the public wants only cXtcriors in archi-
lecture then the architects are not 50 much to
blame rs their patrons. But the public, rs a
whole. is not fool however il may he about
some of its constituent parts. II does NOT take
kindly to plans which call for sacrifice of
comfort and convenience within 10 show with
OUT Eight men ont of ten. We believe, care
comparatively little how the outside of a house
looks provided it is laid out satisfactorily in
side OF course. other things being equal. one
would rather have handsome than a hOmcly
home exterior. But it is is true of homes rs
Of those who occupy them that the outside
beauty is only of minor imp0rtancc-0ny skin
doom