The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-03-27
IN YELLOW BRICK.
The Engineering Building
at Berkeley.
AN ARCHITECTURAL BEAUTY.
It VIII Make the Mechanics Course
of the University the Best in
the Country.

The new mechanics building which is in
the course of erection at the State Uni
yersity will be finished and ready for ust
in a short time.
The rough outline OF the building as il
stands promises very handsome and sub.
stRntial structure. The scantlings which
are to support the partitions between the
rooms on the first floor are all in place. The
roof over all parts Of the building, which is
to be only one story in height has been
boarded, an1 the iron framework which is
to support the glass roof over the court has
been erected. This court will be one of the
features of the building. 1t will be stu.
atsd in the middle of the structure and will
be covered by large circular glass roof
The roof will be supported by the four iron
trnsses which are now in place.
To the right and left of the court are two
wings built exactly similar. The building
IS TO be divided between the departments OF
mechanical and electrical engineering, the
former to occupy tue right and the latter
the left wing.
The two lecture-rOoms on the right OF the
entrance Will be devoted to lectures on
mechanics and dynaliics and mechanic aI
arts. These Will open into rooms where
Will be placed full apparatus for perform
Ing experiments in strength of materials.
OF determining the cuef1ieient of friction
anu Az az fNotiSabIhB luc dCllUu VI IUIGES
upon liquid bodies. AdS=inng will be
placed The large and eOmmodious machine
shop, fully equipped with twenty machines
in all. These consist Of the latest improved
lathes and planes, so as 10 accommodate
seventy-fve students.
Every student will work Independent tly,
and, TO further this end, each will be prn-
ylded with complete set of tools The
foundry, instrument and blacksmith shop
Will facilitate these matters greatly and give
the students an opportunity to follow out
WORK Independently.
The left wing of the building is similarly
supplied with two lecture-rooms in front,
connecting with the instrumental room,
which is Independently supported on piers,
so as 10 be free from all vibrations. This
freedom from all jars Is absolutely essential
In obtaining correct electrical measure
ments.
Adjoining the Instrumentation is a large
chamber which Is 10 be used for phutometTlc
experiments. These experiments. of course,
require a dark room, and one-third of the
large chamber Is set asldefur that uTp0se
Following this experimental department
are rooms for the dynamoS. motors, storage
batteries aud general experimental room
for thermo-dynamies and hydraulics.
The builer-room, 35y2S. VIII be equipped
With Two I5-hOrSe-poWer boilers, supplying
one C0rliss and one high-Speed 75-horse-
power engine, The dynamos in addition
TO the laboratories will supply power and
light Tor the whole university. The grounds
Will be lighted by arc lamps, While Incan-
descent lamps will be used within tie buili-
ings. Plans have been considered also for
furnishing steam TO all the buildings for
heating purposes, but owing to the some
what complicated system required, they
will not be carried out atpreseUt, although
it is the Intention TO do so sooner or later.
The electric plant will be installed as soon
as the building is completed and equipped,
which Professor Hesae expects viii be at
the beginning of the fall term.
The second story of the building will be
devoted entirely 10 Offices and drawing
rooms. Two of the latter. 20x4O, will be at
the northern side. The light will be the
best that could be desired and the drawing
tables will be adjustable in height.
The building was planned under the su-
perVlsion of Professors Hesse and Siadky,
and was designed by Mir Curlett of this
city. The structure is made of yellow brick
and terra Gotta, and when finished will have
cost $3.50 The equipment will cost
So, 600 more, and will be as complete as tnat
OF any laboratory in the country. As IL is
now, the mechaG zeal course atthe University
of California is the second best inthe United
States, that Of Cornell alone ranking above
it. 1t is expected that when the new build
ing is completed improvements in the
course Will be made which will make the
department Of mechanics the best in the
country,