New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-24
FOR THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
INSTRUCTIONS ISSUED TO ARCHITECTS.
ALI. THOSE HAVING OFFICES OR FIXED PLACES OF
BUSINESS WITHIN THE LIMITS OF GREATER
NETWORK INVITED TO TAKE PART
~ THE PRELIMINARY CoMPE-
Triton For PLANS

In position TO take action In regard 10 the matter
The bill empowers the city authorities TO erect
such a building ''in accordance with plans to be
made and prepared by the trustees Of the New
York Public Library. Aston. Lenox and Tilden
Foundations. and TO be approved by the Board OF
Estimate and Apportionment In the city OF New
York" The first step to be taken is therefore. to
have the trustees prepare plans which they can
submit 10 the Board OF Estimate and Apportion-
ment for approval
The problems In connection with the proposed
building have been under consideration by the
trustees OF the library since the consolidation took
place In May, 1895. that the Board is many
respects well prepared TO deal with them Especial
attention. however. has been given TO the subject
since the bill referred TO was approved by the
Mayor In the month Of April last The director
DR.. John S. Billings, has made special visits on
behalf OF the trustees TO Boston, Chicago and
Washington TO inspect the new library buildings In
those cities. and has enjoyed every facility carry
ing out his instructions. In addition the trustees
nave consulted Professor Ware. the professor OF
architecture at Columbia University. and Bernard
r. Green, the engineer who has been in charge OF
the work OF constructing the Library Of Congress.
PROBLEMS BEFORE THE TRUSTEES
The main problems before the trustees In regard
to The new building concerned the principal char
acteristics of the proposed library. the architect
OF the structure and the manner OF the latter's
selection. The trustees have decided to adopt a
scheme which they believe combines the advan-
tages OF limited and also OF an open and
restricted competition. A similar method has
been tried as the trustees are informed In other
cities, and with satisfactory results The detailed
instructions for architects which have been
printed show fully the requirements OF the library
building. so far as they can be stated. and
explain the terms Of the proposed competition.
This scheme was prepared by a committee OF
the board In consultation with Professor Ware
Mr. Green and Dr. Billings and was approved in
It's main outlines by the Board of Trustees at a
special meeting held on May H. subject Of course.
TO the Governors signing the bill mentioned. The
trustees authorized the Executive Committee to
carry out the plan with such notifications in mat
tiers OF detail as it might think desirable and the
committee. under this authority has made public
the terms for the preliminary competition These
are in general follows:
TWO CONSECUTIVE COMPETITIONS
The committee proposes obtain plans by means
OF two consecutive competitions An open Compel
ton. in which only sketches will be required will he
followed by a restricted and paid competition. for
which finished drawings will be made. The build
ing is TO stand on the site OF the present reservoir
at the east end OF Bryant Park. a plot of ground
measuring about SEXES feet. The centre of the
eastern front, opposite Forty frst-st nearly the
highest point Of the land. The southeast corner IS
at about the same level. The northeast corner Is
about four feet lower the northwest corner ten
eet and the southwest corner seven feet six inches
lower
THE building IL to be built for 81 100000 exclusive
OF the heating. lighting and ventiIatlng apparatus
furniture. bookstacks and shelving and also OF the
expenditure for architects fees and for removing
the reservoir. 1t is essential that the above
be not exceeded All rooms used by the public or
for clerical purposes must have as much daylight
possible. The windows should run nearly to the
ceilings, and in the readng-room should not come
within five feet Of the floor They should be large
and little INSTRUCTED by framework The book
stacks also should receive as much daylight pos
sibe, but II is not expected entirely 10 dispense
with the use of artificial light in the bookstacks.
The building should be heated by steam applied In
part through hot water and at least fifteen hun
dred cubic feet OF fresh air a person an hour for
all occupied be warmed introduced
and properly Distributed by mechanical means and
lues must be provided OF such size that a velocity
OF g. second will furnish the above amount. The
building must be thoroughly freproof
WHO MAY COMPETE.
"All architects having Offices in fixed places OF
business within the limits OF the Greater New-York
invited to compete in the first competition.
Copies Of these instructions will be on appca-
ton TO the secretary.
This preliminary competition. will be Judged by
the committees present advisers-Professor Ware,
Bernard r. Green. the constructor of the new Con-
gressional Library. and DR.. J; s. Billings. the d.
Judgment. are the most mertorious will be given
premium OF 500 each: The committee VIII then
selected certain OF the competitors not more than
six In number, TO take part in the second compet-
ton, selecting those among them who in their
judgment. are best qualified by their professional
training and experience to undertake so important
ton with the fullest knowledge, these twelve com
petitors Will be invited 10 send 10 the committee
for its information a statement of whatever facts
they may desire TO bring TO the committees atten-
ton.
FOR THE SECOND COMPETITION.
THE persons thus selected. and than six
other persons firms hereafter to be named by the
trustees or by the committee acting on behalf OF
the trustees, will then be invited TO take part in a
second competition. which will conducted under
such conditions and In accordance with such in
structions the committee may then frame. The
competitors In the second competition will be paid
$50 each the estimated cost them Of the draw
ings required. These drawings will be judged by a
fury OF seven persons consisting OF three members
OF the Board OF Trustees to be named by the Board.
the director and three practising architects TO be
chosen by the councillors This Jury will By a ma
tority vote select the designs, al least three in num-
Der which they find TO be the whole the most
meritorious and vii, send them TO the trustees.
naming them in the order OF their merit. and add
IN TO make The trustees will send one OF the de-
signs thus submitted 10 the Board Of Estimate and
alterations and changes as may prove necessary or
advisable and will recommend the author as aren't
tect OF the building.
A RIGHT RESERVED.
'if the choice OF the trustees should fail upon one
OF the architects chosen in the preliminary compet-
ton the trustees hereby the right OF asso
cating with him In the conduct and execution or
the work II they gee fl 10 do So some other arch-
,ect 10 be agreed upon between him and them. and
10 divide the fees between these two. according 10
the division Of the work and OF the responsibility.
In case OF difference OF opinion as TO the terms OF
this division the question shall be referred 10 the
Jury who Judge the second competition, and their
Judgment shall be final and binding upon all par
lies The trustees may also II they see ht appoint
An engineer 10 look after the work, 10 whom all
drawings must be submitted for approval before
they are carried into execution. Architects VINO
take part the preliminary competition VIII De
understood thereby to accept these provisions "a
mari of the conditions OF the competition.
The drawings submitted in the preliminary COM
peion shall comprise the following and no others;
tl Floor plans for each story the same scale as
. tantt u nrll 10