Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-12
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! main absolutely unchanged. and, If possible,
not outer door or window to be closed
w.
=. The additions 10 be Of such Il character
as not to dwarf obscure the present
mansion; rather, if possible, to accentuate
it.
3. Architectural harmony to be absolutely
preserved.
the pressure upon the present building for.
say, twenty-five or thirty years, ana permit
of still further extension in the future as
may be found necessary. while at the same
ished n:liiding.
). Reasonable expenditure.
Mrs. Rarrison's Plan.
OF all the records | was able to lind OF eX-
tensions which had been proposed in the
past to the Executive Mansion, that pre-
pared under the supervision of the la Mrs.
Harrison came nearest to fulfilling the re-
CURED conditions as just stated. This plan.
as many of you doubtless know. consisted,
in a word, of buildings about the size OF
the present house, one on the east side and
one en- the west side of the White House
grounds, connected to the present mansion
by curved W.ngs-the quadrangle being com
plcted by rebuilding the nservatories at
the south end OF the grounds. Perhaps the
most striking advantage of this plan is that
it quite maintains the present openness to
sun and air toward the south and south
west-a vital necessity, and preserves the
beautiful view to the south as unobstructed
it is today.
Such a Quadrang ular plan, of course, in
wolves a large expenditure for its compile
ton. but it seemed worthy of adoption IN
general outline.
One of the conditions by which l limited
myself being reasonable expenditure, which
] assumed at about $1o00,ono, study was
then made of the question: How much OF
Mrs. HarriSons plan could be completed
for that sum? 1t was found that the two
wings one on the east side and one on the
west SIDE, could probably be built though
in the completed plan these wings were IN
tended rather as connecting passages than
for daily occupancy.
Study vas next given to the question.
Could these wings be utilized until such
time as further addition should be made
and he wings could revert to their intended
use? y satisfactory solution 1t is thought,
was reached.
1t then became necessary to have these
studies worked out. For this work | natu-
rally turned to Mr.. Frederick D. Owen, the
architect who had shaped up Mrs, Harri-
sons plans and who was already familiar
with the limitations which surrounded this
question of extending the Executive Man
sion. The results of our studies are pre-
scented to you today in part. In the short
time which has passed since the first OF
last July it has only been possible to com
plete what you see before you. Much other
work has been done in the study of de-
tails. as for instance, the interior finish
and decoration, interior steel construction,
frcprocfing, heating, ventilatiEg, refrigerat-
ing, etc.
Complies With Limiting Conditions.
The plan presented to you complies with
the five limiting conditions laid down at the
outset AS you will observe, the present
mansion is left unchanged; not an outer
door or window of room is closed, the eX-
tensions beginning on the prolongations Of
the main corridors.
Architectural harmony has been preserv-
ed. The main columns used are enriched by
fiutng but this is a detail which could be
changed. The same windows and castings
have been carried on in the proposed addl-
tons. Owing to the recession OF the eX-
tensions to the rear the present building Is
rot obScured nor dwarfed. AS to the eX-
tensions themselves, every shape that could
be thought of has been drawn out and stud
led with the result that what You see be-
fore You is regarded the best The vista
which the two extensions present from New
York avenue and Pennsylvania avenue IS
fine and in harmony with the present front
view Of the mansion.
Careful study was given to the question
as to whether the extension adjoining the
present mansion should be Of one story or
two. This question was complicated by the
necessity for having living rooms on the
second story under the conditions imposed
OF a limited expenditure. yet providing Tor
all demands made upon the house. 1t is not
impOss 81 Bile that tWO-StOried extension was
originally intended by Hoban, the architect
and builder. For. You will rememt cr that
this house was originally intended to be one
story higher, and you can still see at each
end. just above the arched windows of the
second story horizontal panel across the
frieZe and architraye, left, as l suppose, for
the extension joint Considering that the
necessities Of the case required the extern
sion in two stories. it is submitted that the
resulting design is not displeasing.
The necessity for using the second story
for living purposes also complicated very
much the con tructiOn ard design of the
large circular room the main floor. but
the solution presented will it is believed
prove satisfactory when all the circum-
stances are considered
II is proposed to build the basement of
granite. the walls of concrete and marble,
inclosing a STEEL framework At the west
end the large room would be suitable for a
state dining room, capable of seating more
than two hundred guests. That end Of the
building has been studied with that purpose
in view, having proper provision for kitchen,
serving rooms, pantries, etc. In the base
ment. Provision has also been made at
both east and west ends for the reception
of large companies OF guests, with neces-
sary arrangements in the way of dressing
rooms and Warur0beS. The large room at
the east end is intended reception
room, additional to the present east room.
Living Rooms and Offices.
On the second story, at the west end six
bed rooms are provided en- suite, with four
bath rooms IN connection Herewith At the
extreme southwest end is very bright,
cheerful room. which might be utilized as
a boudoir. At the east end of the second
story are six additional rooms, intended for