Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1897-03-26
BUILDING OF BEAUTY
1T HAS BEEN DESIGNED FOR THE
PARIS EXPOSITION.

to Model of n Lady,s Head TO
Form the Outline of the " oma 4,
Building at Paris at tho Dawn
of the Century Twenty.
What is probably the most striking
plan for a building which has been
conceived in many years has just been
submitted to the commission OF the
EXpositione Universcllc at Paris. The
architect proposes that the Woman's
Building of the great fair shall be
constructed in the form Of a woman's
head and neck, the model therefor be-
ing Il photograph taken from a COM
posite arrangement made up from
photographs of -he most beautiful wo-
men obtainable.
The exterior of the statue building
will, if it is constructed, certainly be
so unique as to practically excel in the
matter of attracting attention all other
architectural features of the exposi-
tion. The plans of the architect are
in brief as follows: The statue will
III no sense be so constructed as to
have the appearance of just a plain,
everyday wooden building in strange
mold. Every effort will be bent to-
ward the effect of living head, one
which seems almost to breathe. Be-
meath the layer of thin wood upon
which the paint covering the face will
be placed it is the intention to ar
range a number of very powerful cleo
trio lights. The wood referred to will
be OF some variety which is not
Opaque, and the electric lights of sutli-
cient force to send through the wood
and paint soft glow. With this ar
rangement it is believed the face will
shine at night, not in glaring way, but
in degree that will be both beautiful
and picturesque. The eyes will be
particularly striking at night, rs the
pupils are to consist of powerful cleo
trio arc lights. The hair of the statue
will be made as life-like as possible.
In color, it will be of dark brown
shade, and will consist of strands Of
| rope as fine as can be used which will
stand exposure to the weather.
CIowning this hair will be q wreath,
to be constructed in the form of that
very familiar adornment of the God
dess of Liberty.
The entrance to the statue will be
at the base OF the neck, and its height
sufficient to warrant the arrangement
in the order of four-story building.
On the first floor it is intended the re-
ception rooms shall be located.
These are to be elaborately decorated
with designs in which women are the
central figures. 1t is intended that
they shall be selected from the works
submitted by the very best artists who
can be induced to enter into COMPETE
tion for the same. In class decoration
of this nature it has been the custom
in the past to accept designs which
are practically ancient subjects utilized
in as effective n manner as possible,
the ancient classical figures being pre-
ferred. 1t is intended in this instance
however, that design, in order to be
worthy of acceptance, or even consid.
Grafton, must be entirely original, and
altogether unlike the stereotyped
forms that have become so familiar to
all to whom art and artists are not
strangers.
Not only will the walls of the rccep.
ton rooms be decorated in this man.
ner, but the ceiling given rs careful
attention. In every instance the de.
sign will not only be appropriate tC
the building, but to the room in which
it is used. In fact, every effort will
be made to preserve throughout the
structure the most absolute harmony
in furnishing, coloring and decoration
at the same time avoiding anything
like similarity or sameness that
would tire the eye rather than refresh
The second story will be mostly
taken up by large hall, in which
lectures will be delivered by variou,
feminine celebrities, meetings of the
different societies of women that may
gather in Paris, and various events o
that sort take place. On this same
floor also will be the offices of the wo
mans commission that is in charge o
the building.
The third story will consist OF retir
ing rooms for women visitors to the
exposition, who wish to rest from thei
journeying about. There will be two
large rooms filled with couches ant
easy chairs, and these will be open tC
the use of any and all ladies who ma!
visit the exposition. In addition t.
this, it is intended that there shall b.
number of bedrooms, plainly bu
very comfortably furnished, each will
bath attached, supplied with no
and cold water. The rooms will no
be large, but of sufficient size to avoi'
anything like the stuffy effect that i
generally the principal feature of
small room. These rooms will b.
given to the Use of those who pa.
therefor a nominal fee, just enough t.