Omaha daily bee., 1909-04-18
Troubles of An Architect

1t is seldom that troubles Of any man
are OF general interest. since everyone has
trouble of their own, no business or pro-
fession being free from them, but since the
rehearsing of a few of the troubles which
the average architect has 10 daily contend
with would be of educational value to the
prospective home builder, the writer desires
to take the readers into confidence and
inform them frankly where they often
make serious errors and how they might
profit to a considerable extent by avoiding
them.
If l were to go back thirteen years to the
beginning of my professional experience
and decide over again, with my present
knowledge, my chosen vocation would be
the same, and ! do not think that l would
change it in any respect. An architects
life is spent making beautiful things for
happy people. At no time in the family
history is there more contentment, enthus-
lasm and joy than when the time has come
when they are able to build a cozy little
home of their own. The first thought of
every young welded couple is to have a
home of their own. If circumstance do
not permit their having one at the start,
it's requirement becomes a foremost
thought in their minds during the time
which elapses before they are about to
crafty the cherished desire. 1t is, there
fore. always a happy couple, whether old
or young, that first greets the architect
when they have arrived at the time when
his services are required, but before the
house can be built complete, there is
much hard work to be done and much
thinking on the part Of both the architect
and his client. The greatest problem that
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keep the clients ideas within his means.
After months maybe years Of thinking and
dreaming on the subject, the average home
builder especially the wife, has formed a
crude idea of the home which they want
that is made Up Of all the beautiful things
they have seen. and II is a sad blow when
the architect tells them that for two good
reasons they must content themselves with
but a very few Of them. the one being that
the amount OF money which they have to
spend would not pay for all the bag win
dows, oriels. hooks, fire places. art glass
windows, etc, which they ave seen, ad-
mired and hoped to have. The other reason
Is that you cannot get everything in one
house. not even a large house OF which the
cost was not a point up for consideration
This would not be a harmonious design OF
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beautiful and admired things which one
might see on their neighbors' homes or in
home building publications.
For example; A beautiful entrance. taken
from a HON Of English design. with its
hand carved Gothic wood work. would not
at all be appropriate on a home designed
In the colonial style, with tall portico and
stately columns on the front. Both OF
these features look very admirable wher
appropriately associated, but placed TO-
gether it would be inharmonlous, would
be criticised by even the home builder him.
self after he had seen them so ASSOCIATED
and would look ridiculous TO a designer
St;H this is what a highly educated bust
ness man almost insisted that the write
do when designing a handsome home las
summer. My well meaning client insiste,
that every feature looked handsome ant
his architect could not consistently den!