Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-15
building will present an entirely pleasing
appearance and one in thorough harmony
with the other buildings on the Mall.
Light Granite More Costly.

Light Granite More Costly.
THE second material, light granite, will
be about 35 per cent more costly. but will
undoubtedly give building of hand
somer appearance.
THE architects estimate of the actual
cost of materials and workmanship for
building the armory of concrete is 81, G32
900. The commission believes that this
should be increased by 1851 900. to provloe
for superintendent, inspection. archl-
tects' fees, contractors profits and other
contingencies, making the total estimated
cost OF the armOry, if built OF concrete,
81 ,S93, 900.
1.-The commission also believes that the
architects estimate of $2,211, 400 for
building the armory of light granite
should be increased by $685. 80, making
the total estimated cost of the armory,
If built of granite, s2,J65, GOO.
THE time necessary for the construc-
ton of the building Is estimated at be-
tween three and four years.
1.-The plans and estimates transmitted
herewith have been approved by the SUI
pervfsing architect OF the treasury, who
was designated by the Secretary of the
Treasury to supervise their preparation
as required by the act"
The estimates submitted by the commits
sion are as follows: Exterior in granite
composite, $1,632,OOO: exterior in gray
marble. $2,O44, 40; exterior in limestone,
So, Ill .430: exterior in Stony creek or equal
granite, $2211 ,430; exterior in white mar
BILE, $2,344, $50
Letter of Architects.
Accompanying the report and estimates
is a copy of a letter written by Tracy.
Swartwout & Litchfied. architects of the
proposed armory, to Gen. Oliver, chairman
of the commission. in general explanation
of their plans for tine building. These
plans, they say. were prepared in accord
aDce with the instructions of the COM
mission. and provide for the construction
of an armory building to house the entire
National Guard of the District.
1.-The plans say the architects, can
for building to be located on the site
approved by your commission. bounded
by B street, 9Th street, the building line
of the Mall and 7th street 1t provides
accommodations for two full regiments OF
infantry. cavalry troop. four companies
Of coast artillery. one battery. one COM
pany Of engineers. one signal corps, hos
pital corps. brigade staff, etc.
1.-THE location Of the building upon the
Mali In close proximity to the National
Museum determines beforehand that its
adopted as a standard for al! future gov
ernmental buildings in the city OF Wash
ington-that Is TO say, an architecture
the inspiration of which is taken from the
historic Greek and Roman traditions de-
veloped in accordance with modern needs
and present constructive knowledge. 1t
becomes therefore necessary-and fortu-
nately SOTO develop a new type of ar
mOry building.
Oppose Turreted Type.
ut is, we believe, possible to construct
q building which shall be quite as easily
identified as an armory building as the
foolish battlemented and turreted type.
and which shall have at the same time
dignity and beauty. Upon consideration,
1t is hard to understand why the architec-
ture of a medieval castle should have
been thought to be appropriate for a mod
ern armory. Surely the confusion and
irregularity of such style is entirely out
of keeping with modern military ideals.
1t was, perhaps, more appropriate at the
period when the chief distinction Of the
but. it has little that would seem to be
indicative of the simple military spirit
of the militia of today. A modern armory
should recall the military regularity of
the army It's simplicity and effectiveness,
and it should have the dignity which
would seem consonant with the army.
1.-THE building which we have designed
is composed of three elements. In the
center is the vast drill floor 243 by $50
feet in area, its walls masking it's roof
and rising in extreme simplicity above the
remaining mass Of the building. Sur
rounding this on all four sides are the
offices Of the brigade and regimental staff,
company rooms, locker rooms. etc. Sur
rounding this ring of buildings, and ar
onnade, whose strong and simple Greek
Doric order seems most appropriate to a