The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-02-11
Copyright, 1906. by Nath'1 G. Fowler, Jr.

TT HE germ of architecture began
with the conception Of the first
- prehistoric building, and took
no account of it's size, Of it's character,
and Of what it was made. +"
The age of the world is timed by it's
architectural ages. Architecture is a
component part Of all history, both
modern and ancient. Nations, even of
the twilight ages, were known by their
architecture, and some of them have
left nothing else to history. The arch
itecture Of today is modern necessity,
essential to the progress of business
and civilization. The architect is pro-
fessionalist; the practice of his calling
demands the full exercise of the in
tellect at some sacrifice of business
capacity. The architect is creator of
originality. He is not mere plan
drawer and pecifcation-writer. He
actually does something. He is not an
artist in a painting or sketching sense,
yet he has the artistic temperament,
without which he could not be more
than successful craftsman or COPPER.
The architect possesses something
which is not part of the man of bust
Mesa sense Of harmony, an artistic
mental attainment, creative ability
yet he must have some of the quail
tiles of the successful business man
an appreciation of the Importance of
detail and the ability to handle men
and things
The boy who cares little for art, who
is in no sense creative, and who pos
sesses only ordinary talent, can never
hope to succeed at architecture. He
may become craftsman, or even more
than plain builder, but he cannot be-
come an architect.
Architecture may be considered
city profession. At any rate, nearly
all architects reside in the city or in
the larger country centers; and few, if
any, of them, are found in the smaller
towns. The architect, like the doctor
and lawyer, is seldom self -supporting
at the start, and frequently cannot
maintain himself in even Moderate COM
fort, unless he has an outside income,
for few or several years after he be-
gins the practice of his profession. Not
wlthstanding the high and enviable
position occupied by the architect, COM
paratively few, except those at the
architectural top, or close to it, enjoy
more than moderate incomes. There
are probably not over a dozen Ameri-
can architects who receive upwards of
S5O,OOOa year, and not more than TWEEN
ty-ive earn as much as $4,000 a year.
Good, first-class architects, with the ar
tlst1c temperament, who are thoroly
competent to plan and superintend the
erection Of nearly every class of build
ing earn, on an average, from $4,000 to
$4,000, and from that figure, the year
ly incomes run as low as $1,000 for or
binary architects.
The architects receipts, unless he
works for salary, are variable, being
Inject to the rise and fall of the
building business, which, IN it's turn,
is affected by the state Of general
business. His income is also largely
dependent upon the class Of contracts
ne receives, and not SO much upon the
number of contracts. Yet all, or near
ly all Of them manage to earn living.
Many great architects devote a year 5
time, or perhaps more, to the planning
Of one building, the erection of which
they usually superintend, receiving for
this double work their entire year 3
remuneration. The architect, after he
has acquired reputation, is reason
ably sure of comfortable income, al
tho the size Of it varies materially
At one time he is likely to have more
work offered him than he can conve-
riently attend to, and again he may
suffer from idleness for an extended
period. The architects fees vary, but
the average fee, and the most usual
one, is from 2 to 8 per cent for plans
nnd specifications, and about per cent
for plans, specifications and superin-
tendence.
By superintendent I mean that the
architect becomes the actual superin.
tendent Of the erection of the building
which he has planned. Altho he may
not sign the building contract, no con-
tract is made without his approval He
or his assistants visit the ground daily
during the process of construction, and
if the building be of much consequence
cne or more of them are continually
upon the premises. The contractor or
builder virtually works for the archi-
tect; he cannot receive any payment
on account, and no final payment with
out the architects approval The fee
for the planning of small buildings is
seldom less than hundred dollars, and
the architect of great edifce, like
a city block, hotel, or public building
receives from $4,000 to $25,0O0, his
duties including superintendent.
Many of our best architects work I'm.
der the partnership arrangement; that
is to say, two or more of them asso
ciate themselves, occupy the same of
fee and practice their profession as 6
firm, not as individuals. This combina
ton is profitable one, because there
are specialties in architecture; there
fore, combination Of architects, eacf
an expert in some line, can render bet
ter service than could any one by him
self
The architect employs e assistants
who do the mechanical part of the
work, the architect originating the
assistants, or craftsmen, as they are
ideas, which are worked out by these
commonly called.
The embryo architect often displays
at an early age artistic and creative
capacity. He is at least original, and
his spare moments are often spent n
building or planning something tc
make. Perhaps he erects henhouse
TOULOUSE or something else within his
lInited range of opportunity. His
method of accomplishment indicates =
natural tho crude respect for harmony