The Washington times., 1911-01-14
DETACHED HOUSES
GROWING IN FAVOR
Demand Exceeds Supply of
Moderate Priced Homes
of This Type.
BUNGALOW SAID
TO BE ADAPTABLE
One or One-and- -One-half Story
Structure Suggested by
Thomas S. Lee.

The demand for detached homes In
Washington, homes of individuality
beauty and comfort, at prices not above
those which are asked and readily OBJ
tained for houses in a row, is rapidly
growing in Washington.
In Chevy Chase, Cleveland Park, Ia
koma Park, Wisconsin Avenue Park
Sauls Addition, and in many other su-
burban sections of the city the demand
for this type of house has been demon
strated. Despite all of this develop
ment there has not been any great
tendency to erect homes at a price much
less than $500 The range is usually
from that figure up to $4,000, and be-
yond.
Real estate men report that they have
many more inquiries for homes of the
Individual, detached type at prices
ranging up TO $500 or 5000, than they
can satisfy. Charles F. Wallraff, of
Moore & Hill, today said that OF the
last seven inquiries for modest homes
which he has received, six Of them were
for the detached type in price from
5000 to $1,000.
California Bungalow.
Thomas S. Lee, an architect who re-
Gently came to Washington from Cali
fornia, is of the opinion that the Cali
fornia bungalow is admirably adapted
TO local conditions, and that this type of
house is just the kind to fill the bill for
a small detached home of moderate
cost. He predicts a large development
of this character in the near future
Mr.. Lee visited Chevy Chase yester-
day and observed that some types Of
the California bungalow already had
been erected there. In speaking of the
adaptability of the California bunga-
low to conditions in the District Mr.
Lee said:
For a city with the natural advan-
tages and surroundings CT Washington
there should be a great development in
detached, individual home building I'm
Questionably the movement has begun
and there is no reason why II should
not progress rapidly, especially as the
modern bungalow type of home is with
In the means of all.
The adaptation of this type of home,
which has reached its highest perfection
in southern and central California, to
the requirements of those with limited
resources is the logical solution Of the
question. There seems, however, to
exist a feeling that bungalows are only
adapted to warmer or semi-tropical
climates. On the contrary, it is entirely
adaptable to this climate.
Break Away From Hard Lines.
The departure from older methods
consists mainly in the fact that the ef-
fort of designers has been directed to
the production of artistic dwellings ir
keeping with natural surroundings, at
moderate cost, and to break away from
hard and fast lines Of four walls, a
cellar, and roof. Individuality, elbow
room convenience and comfort-a bit
of ground to call ones own-plenty of
fresh air and sunlight. have been the
influences which have produced the
bungalow.
The majority Of this type of home
is designed upon the lines of a one
story or one-and- home
as 1t has been demonstrated that OBJ
waiting a thousand and one trips up and
down stairs does not, TO the house
Wtfe's mind. detract from the pleasure
OF home. The straight, cold, nearly al
ways narrow and inSuffiCiently lighted
space by courtesy entitled entrance
with the stiff, uncomfortable parlor.
0WP1C Living NOOIu.
This space is utilized in making the
living room ample in dimensions, a
room which suggests the comforts of
home. An open fireplace of generous
proportions, often built to be fanked by
book cases, broad mantel, deep window
seats, abundant light, and artistic win
dows, all go to produce the desired eff
feet.
For the dining room, paneled wall,
plate rafl, built-in buffet, beamed cell
ing, and proper treatment of the color
scheme go to make it more than a place
to consume food. 1t is nearly always
possible, without great additional cost,
to provide space for a den. which, as
the word implies, need not be large, but
which must carry out the idea Of pri- |
vacy and comfort; a spot where mascu- |
line humanity may have books, pipes, |
and comfortable chairs
at is to the exterior treatment of the |
building that the most radical differ-.l
ences are noticeable. To comfortable. |
broad porches, artistic treatment Of |
buttresses. eve projections. window Off
sets, chimney and pergola, that the |
bungalow owes much of its attractions |
and climatic conditions in no way forbid !
these. The bungalow of the Pacific |
coast is out the natural result of the !
innate desire to possess a home having |
individuality and attractiveness in its ex-
terror as well as comfort and conven- |
ienCe in the interior, and a healthful de- |
termination to have ones share of Gods |
sunlight and fresh air.
Materials Similar.
The materials used in construction are
identical with those used in this section |
with. perhaps, the exception of certain |
grades of lumber, and are, believe. no |!
more expensive here than there. In fact, |
! believe that in most items the diff |
ference, in price is in favor Of Washing |
ton.
In the West one sees thousands of |
such homes ranging In cost from 1,5OO |
to $780, almost invariably indicating |
artistic individuality, and conveying |
strongly the idea of the home in its |
most delightful sense.
That there will be a kindred develop |
ment here in Washington is undeniable |
Excellent transportation facilities make |
accessible a great area of desirable /
property. Civilization has removed the |
causes which made congestion once |
necessary. Development of transporta-
ton has removed the difficulty of dis !
tance from the business center 1t |
seems not unreasonable that mankind |
should satisfy his longings for a spot |
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