The Russellville Democrat., 1892-02-18

l style of building. It is suggested that the l style of architecture selected shall be the early French, with low roof and wide verandas To aid in the preparation of I plans and specifications, the following in- 1 formation from circular published by D. | Fl. Burnham, chief of construction of the Worlds Columbian Exposition, is here | submitted;
 l TIE WORLD COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION, l
 OFFICE OF D. A. BURNHAM,
 CHIEF OF CONSTRUCTION,
 l143, THE RooKERY, CHICAGO
 A plot of land upon the exposition grounds has been provisionally assigned to ! each state with view to the erection of building upon it to be used as that states headquarters during the time of the expo sition. As you have already been informed before the work of building the houses can l be begun plans for them must be approved l by the director general and by the chief of construction Plans for the treatment of so much of the ground of each plot as is not to be covered by the building must be submitted to the same officials.
 In order to insure harmonius relations in I the design of the various buildings to be erected by the states the chief of construc ton offers the following suggestions to the architects engaged on these buildings:
 These structures should be designed in the form of pavillions with symmetrical and rectangular plans, except in cases where the site at the angles of roadways seems to require polygonal or regular figure for the | ground plan
 All facades should be equal importance as they will be seen from all points of view throughout the general grouping of the state buildings
 The architecture should be dignifed in style, formal rather than picturesque. Oriental designs should be avoided, as such motives will naturally be employed by the Oriental nations in the erection of their own buildings. The earlier styles that prevailed in this country, such as the architecture of the old Spanish Missions in Lower California and Mexico can with propriety furnish the motives for the build ings of the Western and Southwestern states. For the Eastern and Southern states buildings of the old Colonial style would be appropriate, and reproduction of historic buildings would prove an interest ing feature. These buildings should have more the character of club houses than buildings designed for exhibition purposes. Refinement and sobriety of treatment is to be preferred to anything that is sensational or startling in it's appearance. The natural resources of each individual state can be drawn upon to furnish the material of its 1 own building, and thus exhibit in great variety the wealth of building material, and the various uses of the same in build ing.
 No fireproofng is required in these build ings, but wood, iron, granite and other building stone can be combined in any way that will present an artistic and simple effect. The buildings should be as small as possible consistent with the necessary accommodations required, and should not be more than two stories in height, with low roofs. Towers and other architectural features may be employed to enhance the general effects. All the various buildings should have the ground floor as near the level of the turf as possible, say from two to three feet above the grade, which aver ages six feet above datum line, or about four feet above the level of the lake. Gel lars therefore, will not be possible. The ground is nearly fiat, and but little change of surface will be necessary. All grading must be done and foundation trenches dug at the expense of the different states.
 The soil is composed of layer from six to eighteen inches deep of good clayey loam overlying sand. In some plots there are now growing a few native trees in fairly good condition, and everywhere there is good turf
 One of the main walks of the exposition will give access to each lot. The houses are to be set as far back from this main walk as may in each case be found praeti- cable, In all cases a space of at least twenty feet, generally more, must be left between the main walk and the house.
 There should be no fences or curbs de- fning the lines of the various plots of ground allotted to each state, because it is not intended that these boundaries should appear at all in the general design. There should be broad, substantially Jagged or graveled passage between the main walk and the principal entrance of the house The course of this should be direct, unless tree or some other obstacle makes a slight curve desirable.
 If the present turf shall have been we'll preserved while the house is building, but little more than has been above described will be necessary in the laying out and furnishing of a state plot.
 Fanciful flower beds and walks will not be allowed, and the introduction of manu- factured articles of stone, terra cotta, metal, or other material, outside of the buildings, is to be avoided It is desired that the arrangements should be simple, and the broad space of undisturbed turf be left, avoiding all incongruous, toy-like and undigniied effects. But at suitable points few objects may be placed that will be illustrative of the botany or geology of the state, occupying the plot (such as pillar of metal bearing rock or interesting petrifi- ! f II C.. \ Small trees of the state, or bushes or plants in tubs, set in the turf, or on simple block pedestals, may desirably be used in the same manner, but only if each of such plants is a very fine specimen of it's kind, and can be presented and main tained in thoroughly thrifty condition during the entire period of the exposition,
 Small, modest signs, written in the standard exposition alphabets, may be placed before notable plants or other ob- jects on state plots, giving their names and stating the local ity from which they have been taken. IL is suggested that the selection and preparation of trees for the exposition will be desirably begun as soon as possible. but that it will not be well to bring them to the ground before April, ls93
 The restrictions upon planting above prescribed do not apply to the use of plants on porches, balconies, window gar !. dens or roof gardens of the house, nor to patios or interior courts; nor are they in tended to prevent any vegetation that will be so grown as to be in contact with the walls of the house, or that will occur in narrow, trim beds bordering the approach to it, always providing that such planting is well devised with the motive of sup porting, bearing out or adding grace to the controlling clements of the architectural design, and that it is always maintained in perfect condition.