The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-11-04
BOARD DECIDES ON
HIGH SCHOOL PLANS
Committee Awards Prize 10
Breeding & Whilden
ARE LOCAL ARCHITECTS
Building VIII Cost s125,ooo and 1t VIII
Be Beautiful Four-story struet-
ure of Pressed Brick
and Stone.


After being in session for several hours
last night, the joint committee from the
city council and the board of education
decided upon the plans and specifications
offered by the Birmingham firm. The
decision was reached shortly before II
o'clock and an adjournment was taken.
Mayor Drennen, Alderman Robert H.
Thach, President A. o. Lane of the
board of education Eli P. Smith, DIR. J..
II. Phillips, superintendent of the Bir-
mingham public schools; Professor ]. B.
Cunningham principal of the High
school, and Julian Kendrick, city en-
gineer. attended last nights session. Yes
In session for several hours and an adj
journment was taken until last night at
7:3O o'clock.
Selection Unanimous.
The joint committee was unanimous in
selecting the plans of Breeding and
Whilden. The selection was made solely
on merit, and the competition was inter-
esting, fifteen architects offering plans to
the joint committee. Eight of these were
from cities other than Birmingham.
Breeding & Whllden being the first on
the list, they are to furnish the plans.
and their commission will amount to
about $1,000. Seymour Davis of Philadel-
phia, the second, receives $500 in cash,
and Miller & Martin of Birmingham the
third, receives 500 in cash.
The following is a description Of the
new building as furnished by the success
full architects to the joint committee:
Architects Description.
When your programme for this building
was analysed by US, the most striking
feature was the seeming disparity be-
tween the amount Of the appropriation
and the character of the building re-
quired; but with the belief that your COM
mlttee was asking for nothing, but what
was urgently necessary to meet the min
imum requirements, we undertook to find
the method by which to meet them as
perfectly as possible. The task has not
been easy or without expense of time and
labor, but we have spared neither in our
endeavors; believing that the accomplish
ment of difficult problem Is more surely
to be appreciated and cheerfully reward
ed. As to how well we have succeeded is
in your province to determinate, and our
pleasure to accept. That more ornamen-
tation could be introduced with more
liberal appropriation, we will admit, but
that more quantity or quality can be en-
comprised within the amount. we most
certainly would deny.
The lines upon which the plans are laid
have been conformed to the most APP
proved and widely endorsed methods
which we have spared no pains to har-
moniously assemble in this building.
Various Entrances.
The arrangement of the plan has been
determined to a large extent by the con-
tour of the lot, together with the points
of the compass, believing that 1t is
great advantage to come into the building
on all sides at the grade level as near as
possible and that the light shafts are
much more effective running east and
west, because they are more nearly par
allel with what is popularity called the
course Of the sun. And again, by run
ming parallel wings on each side of the
auditorium the light and ventilation OF
all class rooms is the best secured because
they are outside rooms; while the addi-
tional hall space adds to the facility for
handling the school without undue con-
gestion at any one point of the hall.
And further, because of the fact that no
other scheme can be devised upon this
limited ground area whereby the neces-
sary light, ventilation and accessibility Of
the various departments can be as sue
oessfully accomplished, and the very de-
sirable grouping OF the different branches
be as completely arranged, together with
the subdivisions Of each.
When the general scheme Is understood,
this proposition will need no further
proof.
The salient features of the plan con-
sist of egress and ingress arrangements
and grouping of departments. All en-
frances come in at grade and are vesti-
buled to prevent any drafts from out
side.
There are four main doors from streets;
two from alley, and two from rear of
building.
In the Basement.
Bringing the school in at basement is
advantageous in that all noise and I'M
avoidable dirt can be most easily dis
posed Of.
The massing of all the mechanical and
practical departments on this floor, is
economical &c arrange and operate, be-
cause the power is more easily distrib-
uted, and there will be no vibration OF
floors or machines, and the supervision is
more complete.
The same toilets and labatories do duty
for two departments.
The gymnasium being on ground and
extending through first story affords a
more substantial floor and opportunitv
TO put In pool IL desired, and access be-
ing given TO toilets for males and fe.
males, which serves other departments
well. is good economy, also the gym
nasium is more accessible.
Lunch room in basement Is more con-
venient for pupils, and for service, and
together with the gymnasium. occupies a
floor space that would not be as service
able for any other purpose; the sky
light in vent shaft affording perfect light
at deepest inside points,
This grouping in basement, makes ev-
cry foot of floor space of the highest
efficiency. md makes 1t possible ia re-