The record-union., 1893-01-23
WOOD MIST CO.
Its Use as building Material Incon-
sistent with GOOD ArchItectnre


Its Use as building Material Incon-
sistent with Good Architecture.
In an article in the current number of
the EhgiAeernlg W0gdejRe, entitled
Architecture in Wood--A Protest - the
author, Gordon B. KImbrough, condemns
the use of wood as building material.
lie thinks 1t unsuitable, not only for ex-
terna structure, but for interior decora-
ton as well. On the latter point he SAYS:
Inc superiority of marble over all
other material for interior decoration
may. be taken for granted. Doubtless the
expense of the finest colored marble is
great; but it would be in better taste to
use some OF the money expended on
snowy eXterlors in its purchase and prep
aratlon than to inclose within showy ex-
terlors tawdry and cheap interior decora-
ton. 1t is simply vulgar to save money
III the interior of buildings for the our
pose OF producing more showy exteriors.
IL cannot be said, therefore, that the con-
slderatlon OF economy juStifieS the use of
wood. The consideration of economy.
IN iact, demands its banishment. Fire
proohng devices would be unnecessary
were the use OF wood abandoned, and this
would cause considerable saving. A
properly proportioned expenditure with
IN and without, and building built
without any cumbustible material would
De more economical than improperly
proporuoned expenditure imperiled by
lnhammable woodwork.
This strengthens The question on the
responsibility of the architect, Can he
justify himself for pandering to the per-
Nerted taste Tor wood interiors when
making plans for buildings of the first
class? The question must be answered
IN the negative. The architect may not
pe onlnlpotent, but he is not without
influence. 1t is even possible for him to
make wood interiors generally unfashion-
able by simply maintaining that they are
untasteiul, and not the proper finish for
buildings OF any architectural preten-
siOns.
The ability to make a reform rests
manly IN the hands Of the architects, and
they should begin their attack on wood
construction by carrying the Outposts.
II should be said, indeed, that they may
begin by carrying the citadel, for the
moment when wood loses its fashionable
veneer it Will tumble through all the
successive stories OF architectural con-
structlon until 1t IS finally buried out of
sight below the foundations. Tile. terra
Gotta, marbled slate, and even plaster of
Paris are all better materials for interior
decoration than wood, even on the score
Of economy. They may not be as cheap
as wood, but they are cheap enough to be
naue more ProhtabIe than wood after
this material has lost its respectabillty.
bll1ty here. A few years ago the rage for
IRON building threatened to upset all the
canons of architectural design in the
United States, and we have still standing
many melancholy examples OF the hid
eous possibilities of this material. But
the architects were sensible enough TO set
their faces against the innovation, and
The construction OF complete iron fronts
soon became an exceptional exhibition of
bad taste. 1t can hardly be said now that
iron is any longer used except with struc-
tural motives, and we have therefore
escaped the once threatened disaster.
Inc architect may be equally infiuen-
tlal when he decides that wood must 90.
his success might not be quite so imme-
dlate as his success in the case of iron.
because the consideration OF greater
cheapness Will work more STRONGLY i'm
defense OF wood than it worked in behalf
OF iron. Then, again, there will be the
traditional ideas Of centuries to overcome
1t may never be possible to overcome the
partiality for wood in the rural districts.
so long as it remains the cheapest ma
terlal. On the prairies where the winds
blow the people seem to prefer living i'll
balloons. But IL makes but little differ
euce among the farmers. They are try
ing to make a bonfire of the Coustitu-
ton for the purpose of burning up their
mortgages, and ii their wood domiciles
take ire in the conflagration it will not
be much matter. But as soon as the
stigma of professional disapproval has
been placed upon the material wood will
begin to disappear from our cities. and
then we shall escape the double horror of
some unsightly buildings and the prema-
ture cremation OF the occupants.