The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-29
THE NEW CLUBHOUSE.
Competition of Architects-PIans De-
scribed i'm Detail.

Competition of Architects-PIans De-
scribed i'm Detail.
In undertaking the project for a new club
house for the Columbia Club. the building
committee spared no efforts or means to
secure the best and latest in clubhouse arch
itecture and equipment. The programme Of
the competition as 1t was submitted to the
architectural profession, was such as to Sc
cure attention and study Of the problem
presented from among the leading archi-
tects of the country. BY men selected for
the purpose by the building committee, who
had prior to this selection carefully ac-
quainted themselves with the general profess
sional ability and experience of each Of the
competitors, the following list of architects
were chosen to submit designs for the club:
Williams e. Andrews, Dayton; Albert w.
Swasey, st. Louis; Jarvis Hunt, Chicago,
and Drach & Martindale. w. Scott Moore &
Son and Thurtle e. Co., of Indianapolis. The
result proves the thoroughness and impor-
lance o. this preliminary work, inasmuch
as the plans and designs presented were so
various in their details and scheme of ar
rangement as to demonstrate the fact that
there are many ways of housing a club both
good and bad. and that proper solution
of the problem is not a haphazard thing but
one involving close study of the specific re-
ouirements and the aims and purposes of
the club itself
With this in view by unanimous vote
of the committee, the first award was given
to the plans and designs prepared by F. NJ.
Andrews, of the firm of Williams & An
drews, Dayton. The second award was given
to Albert w. Swasey, of st. Louis, the work
of Drach & Martindale standing first in that
submitted from Indianapolis. In adopting
Mr. Andrews's plans it is the Judgment Of
the committee that in the greatest degree
they represented building of completeness
and attractiveness commensurate with the
present and future needs of the club The
plans present every feature desirable in
clubhouse arrangements and careful stud
led development of every artistic interior
effect possible in the means employed. to-
gether with a regard for the necessity for
prompt and efficient service throughout the
building, to a degree not excelled by any
clubhouse in this country. Worthy of es
pecial notice in this respect is the ability of
each of the important portions of the club.
It's main divisions so to speak, to discharge
its functions without interfering with the
best results to be derived from the rest.
as. for example the ease with which a BAN
ouet may be given in the great dining hall
on the second floor and also in the assem-
blv room on the fifth floor without disturb
ing the privacy OF the club or its daily rou-
tine in either the cafe below, the private
dining rooms and parlors. or that portion
devoted to the living apartments of the
members. Analysing the arrangement
throughout from this standpoint, the excel
ience and extreme suitability of the plan
becomes apparent.
MAIN CLUBROOMS.
The first, or main, portion of the building
is six feet above the sidewalk grade. and is
entered through a spacious vestibule and
entrance hall through the exterior arch,
which is fianked by columns and electric
lamp standards. The main hall Is room of
ample proportions and rich, though quiet.
decorative features, and forms the real ves-
thule approach to the various departments
OF the club. the general gathering place
from and to which all routes will lead. From
this room one takes the elevator at the
right. which is reached through an apsidal
bay. which Is also the connecting link be-