Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-07
MEANING OF DESIGN
Character Found in the STYLE
of Buildings.
EFFECTS THAT ARE GAINED
Influences Which May Be Traced to
Locality.
AS TO COMBINED EXPRESSIONS
Mere Novelty Makes But a Limited
Appeal-Suitablen Of Varia-
tions-other Matters.
AS TO COMBINED EXPRESSIONS

That architects should endeavor, above
all things, to give character to their COM
positions, as being one of the chief and
most speaking excellences in design, was
the advice of Sir John Soane. Character,
as a term in architecture. must be distin-
guished from style, for there may be
many characters in the same style; and
also from expression, for there may be
many expressions contributing to the
same character. BY style is understood a
particular description of order; but char
acter alludes to the specific manner in
which such style may be applied. Elk
preston, when details only are spoken of,
is synonymous with character; but, as
every member conveys a distinct express
sion. it is left for their combination in an
entire erection to decide and confirm its
character.
Although character is. in fact. the SIM
ple though forcible, language of the feat
ures in architecture, 1t is notwithstanding
the most abstract, and, it may be said.
even the most immaterial attribute that
strikes upon the mind. 1t is immaterial,
because 1T derives and realizes all its es-
sentials from the effects produced by col
lected objects relatively and not so much
with regard to the objects themselves To
eXemplify these positions or assertions
more clearly, and touching the progress
sive influence which they respectively
have on our feelings, it will be found that,
on the view of an ediflce, we recognize it's
style. we perceive it's expressions, but we
are impressed with its character. Hence
it becomes, as it were, the conducting me
dunn between the intrinsic beauties and
qualities of the art and the pleasures and
feelings they excite.
Effect of Locality.
If space or vastness improve its COM
handing character the response is won
der; if delicacy or minuteness invite exam
ination, 1t is met by concern and curiosity !;
if variety vaunts forth it's merits, it is re-
spected for richness and value; and to
uniqueness too humble almost to claim it's
due, taste renders it's cheerful tribute to
harmony The vividness of these impress
siof1s may be more or less biased by pre-
conceived ideas, or prescience of the pur-
poses of an erection with which the char
acter should have some affinity; but as
this may and probably will, be different
with each individual, the cause rests en-
tirely with him, and does not concern any
effect of the architecture.
The influences which act upon character
from without-that is, by means entirely
foreign to itself-are considered to be two,
viz, locality and aspect. Locality, which
includes every distinction Of region and
climate, it will be easy to prove. has as
many distinct powers over the operation
of character in building. The pyramids
Of Egypt. the temples of India, the
mosques of Turkey and the cottages of
Switzerland all partake of their several
localities, and of the notions that might
naturally be suggested by their respective
climates and scenery.
Locality. however. within our own land
is equally subservient to our subject Let
II a
prospect of great eminence with build
ing on its summit. having for it's details
turrets battlemented walls and pointed
apertures: the characters suggested by
such locality would be that of a castle;
and. to show that it is the scene only
that SO influences the character, we will
imagine that in the valley beneath there
is an erection having a similar combina-
ton of parts but there. at once, they are
altogether changed in our imagination,
and the same expressions that in the one
case formed the striking idea of castle
in the succeeding instance assume only
the characteristics of a village church. Ii
is only with places of pilgrimage that diff
hculty OF access is recognized; ordinary
churches are expected to be approachabIe
by young and old worshipers. The mere
of an approach to build
ing being altered as to its level will some
times make a very sudden and great diff
ference in the effects which it's character
had previously produced.
Position of Importance.
There is not any very perceptible differ
ence in the actual construction of build
ngs in this country which may be at
tributed to their being exposed to any
particular severity of weather on certain
aspects. The influence. then. that charac-
ter In architecture receives from this |
cause may be reduced to the single cir |
,umstance of the power of the sun, as it |
"a rieS shadow and to certain aYtent |