The Washington times., 1903-08-02
COMMISSIONERS OPEN
HIGH SCHOOL PLANS
Seven Architects Enter the
Competition.
EXTERIOR DESIGN PLAIN
Award TO Be Made in a Few Days.
Six Estimates Under Appropria-
ton of $I6s,ooo.

Plans for the new Business High
School were opened yesterday afternoon
in the ONCE OF 'the Engineer Commits
sioner. but no award will be made for
several days. Seven sets of plans were
submitted by as many architects. whose
names were inclosed in envelopes. to be
opened when the Commissioners have
announced their decision as 20 the mer-
its of the plans received.
The building is to be erected on the
square north of square 1896. bounded by
r, Eighth. and Ninth Streets and Rhode
Island Avenue. The competition was
open to any architect who has been in
business in the District for the past
three years.
Taken generally. the plans show a
plain exterior, and five of the seven
provide for two stories over a basement.
The material suggested is red brick
with light stone trimmings, and with
one exception the estimates made by
the architects come within the appro-
pTiation of $16S.OOO.
Description of Building.
The first set of plans opened provided
for building three stories over a base
ment, with the main entrance on Rhode
Island Avenue. The front elevation
shows a severely plain style of archi-
lecture, with pointed copings over the
windows and doors. Provision is made
for twenty class rooms, an office, drill
hall, assembly hall, gymnasium with
dressing rooms, shower baths, etc
teachers rooms and toilets, cloak
rooms with 500 lockers, library, ply
steal. chemical. and biological labora-
tories, map. banking, typewritirg. and
drawing rooms, and in the substructure.
ample room for boilers, engines, and a
complete heating plant.
The second set of plans opened
showed a somewhat similar front eIe-
walton, three stories being provided FOR
above a basement The principal diff
ference between the two drawings is in
the entrances, the second set allowing
two smaller entrances, one for boys
and the other for girls. Red brick with
light stone trimmings are called for,
and the estimate is placed at $3.50, 900,
or more than 81 ,OO0 below the amount
OF the appropriation. The interior ar
rangement conforms with that enumer-
ated in the first set OF plans. and is ia
accordance with the specifications ad-
yertised by the Commissioners.
In English Renaissance.
The third set opened departs radically
they provide for a building after the
English Renaissance style Of architec-
tUre, two stories in height. with broken
building line. Each Of the other plans
provides for a building that will come
flush with the sidewalk admitting of no
parking. The main entrance is on
Rhode Island Avenue, and sets back
twenty feet from the sidewalk. The cost
is estimated at S1ss, 900.
The next set Of plans are far too
elaborate for the District purse, the
three following estimates being given:
500. $50. Sos. 2l0, and sl6s 900. The front
elevation shows the most expensive
building. which, when trimmed down to
the limit Of the appropriation, loses
much OF its beauty and impressiveness.
II also departs from us predecessors, IN
placing the main entrance on Ninth
Street. with q small entrance on r
Street for boys and another small en-
trance on Rhode Island Avenue for girls.
A good feature OF the plans, however,
is the arrangement for light, windows
being placed as close together as CON
struetion VIII permit.
Asks for INDULGENCE
The fifth and sixth set OF plans opened
show practically no deviation from the
first two. The architecture is extremely
plain. but little II any embellishments
being striven for. The estimates are
S165. TIC and $163. ISL
The last set opened is probably des-
tined to an untimely end. for the rea-
son that the specifications are not com
piled with in the drawings. nor is any
estimate OF cost given. The architect
has appended an autograph notation
asking the indulgence OF the Commis
sioners. stating that he had been unable
20 complete the work In time TO submit
II for competition.
As soon as the committee OF award
can consider the plans and choose one
from among them as most suitable for
the purposes intended the following
prizes will be announced: First. $500;
second. $40O. and third. $500.