The morning call., 1892-09-22

z.
w h. Crocker's residence. observation-disclosures.
The Flood residence.
Albert Galatn's residence ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
The indications are that the Cotton resi-
dence Will be the favorite.
But there's many slip 'twixt the cup
and the lip"
Ernest c. Piexotto In his reply hits out
vigorously al the glazing faults in the styles
of architecture prevalent in this city.
MY choice" he says. would lie between
the Towne house and the one built by
Colonel Halves on the corner of Washing
ton and Buchanan streets.
They are very similar in style, but Of the
two | prefer the latter on the whole. as 1t
has the advantage OF simpler material and
is better in proportion and color.
al also like the Cotton house. though
wood is scarcely the material with which
10 build house of its style of architecture.
This question of material seems TO be
very much Ignored in this community.
"N hen a house is built of wood let it
assert itself as a wooden house and not
masquerade as a stone or marble palace.
THE sham is too apparent and looks
cheap. whereas wooden structure, when
treated artstically, can be- made exceed
ingy picturesque, as our old New England
and our Southern colonial homes attest.
There is variety TO be gained by the
combination of timber and plaster work
like the ola French and English houses, and
by the use Of this material, but as yet we
have no good example of the style in San
Francisco, unless it be the home of Dr.
BTuicke.
1.-The greatest fault | have to find with the
recent residences in this city is their utter
lack OF simplicity.
The Queen Anne aud Eastlake house has
run riot aud has produced some dire re-
suits.
Nearly all the so-calIed artistic homes
are covered from basement TO attic with
meaningless details bought at mill at SO
much per foot.
The himsy house is built and then the
details are tackled on without the least re-
gard 10 structural effect; clumsy chimneys
cut the facade from top to bottom; the four
walls are cut up into lnnumerable windows
OF fantastic shapes, and the more turrets,
gables and chimney pots the architect can
crowd on the more artistic is the home
considered.
I'm short every rule of proportion and
every law of architecture is laid aside.
Originality is yery we'll in its way, but
don't let Us have too much Of IL.
III is fortunate that We have some new
blood and some younger architects with
s0under ideas among US.
In consequence, many residences built
OF late years show decided leaning toward
purer architecture, but as yet they are far
in the minority.
This is pity. for if ever a city had a
picturesque situation and gave architects
good building sites on which to display
their talents. that city is San Francisco"
Julius LudOyici is divided in his opinion,
and practically gives two votes. one for the
Cotton residence, viewed from the standard
Of old architecture, and the other, Albert
Gallatin's residence. viewed from the
standard OF modern architecture.
There is no help for il. therefore. but to
record vote for each Of these two resi-
deuceS.
He says: In my opinion Mrs. Colton's
residence, lately bought by Mr.. Huntington
and situated on Mob Hill, has been for many
years. and still is. the most beautiful and
artistic residence in San Francisco; bat as
il is a reproduction Of old architecture, it
has, perhaps. not, at this date, the same
artistic value &c, and ought not TO be men
toned in competition with, the houses
erected from the original designs of our
modern architects.
Among the latter, the residence of Albert
Gallatn, corner Of Scott and Jackson
streets, is, In my opinion, the most artistic.
The Hobart mansion, corner OF Wash
ington street and Van Ness avenue, comes
next. and less pletentiOus one, Mr.. Hecht's
residence, corner OF Washington and Octa-
via streets, built in Swiss cottage style, fol-
lows close in its harmonious and artistic
effect.
THE Croker residences. corner of Wash
lngtOn ana IaRuna streets and corner OF
California and Jones streets, although very
artistic in detail, fail to be so as a whole.
simplicity and harmony, the first rules
OF beauty. are to considerable extent dis
regarded in modern architecture.
The principal merit of an architectural
design consists OF its simple lines and Orna-
mentatlon must be introduced without dis
turbing them.
This has been done In the private resi-
dences first mentioned
IL ] may do so, and Ii is not out of place
here, would call your attention and that
OF many HORSEPOWER here to an abomina-
ton which ten or fifteen years ago crept
INTO architecture in this and other cities.
aud which at this time strikes every edu-
Gated eye as most Objectionable feature.
II refer TO the small or large ornaments
placed entirely out of keeping with the de-
signs OF the houses on each corner IF the
balustrades over our front doors Except
ing when as tremendously introduced as in
the Hobart mansion above mentioned, ali
such ornaments ought TO be cut off
Il am sure that many viii agree with me
In this opinion after their attention is once
drawn TO these eyesores. and if few will
get the easy example of removing them
hers m fnlloxv