The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1893-01-03
THE NEW TEMPLE.
Description of the Building Now
Being Erected.


Appended will be found a brief
description of the new Masonic
Temple now in course of erection
at the corner of Alakea and Hotel
streets. Mr.. c. B. Ripley is the
architect.
In the erection of q new Masonic
Temple the problem given by the
Building Committee to their architect
to solve was to design a building
which should have an exterior sugges-
tive of the character of the building,
pleasing in its outlines, inexpensive
in detail, and with interior arrange
ments fully up to all the requirements
of the Craft. Lava rock was selected
as the material for the construction of
the building, because it possessed a
beauty and richness in itself that no
elaborate ornamentatiOn in other ma
terial could give, and thus the exterior
is almost wholly devoid of ornament
alton, the details being simple bat
effective, the general design being an
adaptation of the recent use of the
Renaissance style of architecture, so
far as it could be made available, the
strictest economy in expenditure
being required in everything except
that which appertained to the solidity
and durability of the structure.
The first floor contains five suites of
offices, each suite having two large
well lighted and well ventilated
rooms connected by sliding doors.
Each suite of rooms having front and
rear entrances and having stationary
Wash-basins and electric lights. There
is broad veranda in front protecting
these rooms from the glare of the
sun, and making them most desir-
able for doctors, dentists, or even for
private apartments. And at any
demand for stores in this locality the
partitions dividing the rooms of each
suite can be removed and stores Sec
ond to none in Honolulu are avail
able.
The second floor is to be used en-
tirely for Masonic purposes. The
entrance is through two large arches
in the tower at the corner of the
building into a vestibule with tiled
floor up broad stairs, and landing in
an entrance hall on the second floor.
From this hall access is had to the
Tyler's room 1Sx30 feet with a ceiling
20 feet high and galleries on two
sides. From the Tyler's room dou-
BILE doors admit to the Lodge room
32x54 feet, the ceiling being 20
feet high at the sides and % feet high
in the center. This room is thor.
oughly ventilated and in the warm
est nights will be found delightfully."-
cool and pleasant; it has large win
dows on three sides arranged to open
at any point desired, giving fresh air
without draughts,and with the system
of ventilation used in the ceiling and
apex of roof above, this room will be
a model lodge room. Connected with
the Tyler's room and by separate en-
trance with the lodge room are the
ante-rooms containing all the con-
veniences required by any of the Ma
sonic bodies. Beyond the Tyler's
room and connected with the same
by sliding doors, IA #. wide, is the
banquet hall, 2Ox30 it., with read
ing room, 13x13 it., adjoining, both |
well lighted and ventilated. Special |
care has been given to the arrange
ment of that part of this "Masonie |
in which the members |
spend the hours while 'ealled |
from labor to refreshment.n From |
these rooms exit is had to |
TO the hall and stairway, also the
lavatory, which contains every con-
venience that the best modern plumb
ing furnishes. Rooms for the storage
Of the paraphernalia used by the diff
ierent Masonic bodies are arranged on
the third floor, which occupies a por-
ton of the building. Every window
Is to be supplied with patent sliding
blinds, the entire building to be
lighted with electric lights.
This Masonic Temple is being built
or the future as well as for the pres
INT. The materials for its construe-
ion are the best and most durable;
he workmanship called for is to be
irst-class, and the architect is en-
oloyed to give every detail the most
careful supervision, so that nothing
nay be left undone which shall add
o the strength and beauty of the
structure and that the work of Ha-
Faiian Lodge in Operative masonry
nay be as successful as ii has been in
masonry must be the
wish of every citizen of Honolulu.
Have your Christmas presents