Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-16
Architects to Discuss Details
of Municipal Building.
IMPORTANCE OF WORK
HIGH GRADE OF DESIGNS SUB
MITTED BY LOCAL MEN.
Matter of Regret That Washingtonian
Did Not Secure the Prize
Plans Explained.


the firm of Cope & Stewardson. the success
full architects in the recent competition for
plans for the new District building, will ar
rive in Washington this afternoon from his
home city, Philadelphia, to talk over with
members of the building commission the
subject of the plans and the future work
to be undertaken by him. AS stated in The
Star yesterday. Mr.. Walter Cope of the
successful firm died few weeks ago. The
a firm will continue, however, with MIR. Stew
ardson at its head.
1t is matter of some regret among the
architects of the city that a local man was
not successful in securing the commission
for such an important local work as the
building Of the municipal home. The con-
ditions that developed during the contest
make the regret all the more keenly felt
because Of the prominent place earned by
the local men. Seven local architects, or
firms Of architects, participated by invita-
ton in the competition. Five out-of-town
architects competed. making total of
twelve. each submitting plans TO the board
of award After ,.Ie first day of the judg-
ing it was announced that the competition
had been narrowed down to five sets of
plans. Nos. l, =. 3. and IL The plans were
Judged without any knowledge as to the
authors Now that all the envelopes con-
tanning names have been opened, it is dis
covered that four out of the five sets re-
served for final inspection were the work
of local men.
Two Local Firms.
When the contest had narrowed down to
three sets of plans two were the work of
local men and one came from an outside
firm. The board of award, composed of Mr..
d. H. Burnham os Chicago. Mr.. r. s. Pea
body of Boston, Mr.. George B. Post of New
York. Col John Bddle, the Engineer Com
missioner of the District of Columbia, and
Mr.. J. Knox Taylor, the supervising archi-
tect of the treasury. finally decided in favor
of plans No. 3. and it so happened that the
firm of Cope & Stewardson of Philadelphia
had submitted the successful designs.
1t is stated that the two local firms in The
final three were Messrs. Marsh & Peter
and Wood & Deming. The two additional
architects who made up The four local men
in the final five sets put aside for judging
Were William a. PoindeXter and Robert
Stead. The work of the board of award
shows that the competition very close,
and that any one of the local plans might
have been chosen with satisfactory results.
Some of the local designs were very beau
tiful in regard to the elevations, and all
showed a thorough knowledge of the plac-
ing Of the various municipal departments.
Marsh & Peters Statement
Marsh & Peter were the authors of plans
No. IL. In submitting them they said:
THE accompanying series of drawings
for the proposed building for the govern
ment Of the District of Columbia are sub
mitted as conveniently meeting the require
ments of the government outlined in the
program. Your attention is respectfully
called to the following special points in the
design:
''The extreme simplicity and dignity of
the facades, combining the monumental
with the utilitarian and preserving the
character of the older buildings of Wash
ington. The south front was studied with
view to its future prominence when the
plans of the parking commission are even
tualy developed. The careful study of the
lighting OF the rooms and corridors, all re-
ceiving an abundance of direct light and
pure air The natural ventilation and con-
sideration of summer conditions.
THE excellent circulation and the con-
yenience of elevators and stairways. the
location OF the staircases facilitating com
municaton between the various depart
ments on the different floors. "he minor
terror entrances afford direct access to the
more pnblic departments. The position of
assembly hall in mezZanine, elevated one
half story to preserve the circulation of the
first floor where the greatest congregation
will occur. The estimated cost of the build
ing. including architects fees, is 81. 131, 100"
Plans No. Explained.
Wood & Demins were the authors OF plans
No. l. which they called attention to as
follows:
"First-The entablature, unpierced by
window openings, crowns the building. Sec
ond-A light court open to the south has
been provided in the rear. allowing the en-
trance of an abundance of sunlight and air,
as the prevailing breeZes in summer are
from that quarter. Third-All the working
rooms. stairs and halls well lighted and
ventilated by ample window space, without
the need OF skyllghts. Skylights have been
used to provide north light for the labora-
tories In the attic in addition to their win
dow lights; and in the Commissioners
rooms as supplementary light for architec-
tural effect.
The basement story has all the windows
above the ground. and when the greatest
thickness OF wall occurs the areas of the
windows have been increased proportion
ately.
The principal entrance leads by short
nights OF steps from mezzanine level to
the two most important floors to the public
without the use of the elevators The
wagon stand Is located outside the building
on the rear street. A marquise at each Of
the side entrances enables the District off,
cials to enter their carriages without ex-
posure to the weather and with some prI-
vacy. The rear entrance provides private
and direct access to the vehicles of the fire
and police departments. An excess of
floor space has been provided for future
growth to the extent of 10 per cent.
In describing the materials necessary to
erect the structure for the price called for
in the program 1t has been found necessary
to suggest type OF construction that will
not be In keeping with the other public
proof office building of a substantial char
acter.
1.-The building should be OF ston. ana
HdS Deei So lHuicdleu on the drawings but
the space required and the fireproof mate
rails called for make this impossible with
any design. For this reason the following
materials have been suggested that will
make 1t possible TO erect the structure for
the amount appropriated without Destroy
Ing the integrity OF the design.
A Granite Base
Exterior to have a granite base. and all
the masonry above this to be OF brick and
terra Gotta. with a roof Of tin. The in
terror to be flreproof. with hard plaster
finish for all walls. cornices and columns.
The woodwork standing finish to be- of
cabinet oak The top floor to DO Of south
ern pine for all offices. with terrazzo noors
In the corridors and toilet rooms
THE structural parts to be Of brick and
steel with the steel freproofed. The floors
to be constructed Of concrete. stiffened with
steel with wide spans. avoiding the use of
rolled shapes to a great extent, and making
the floors thin and the construction light