The Washington times., 1913-12-28
HIGHEST STYLE OF
SCHOOL IS PL AIMED
Central High Building Will Represent Type for Which Educators
Have Long Strven and Which They Hope to Later Sup
plant Older Structures in District of Columbia.
By FLORENCE E. YoDER.

SuS nc" ScutId1 SthOOis WIN
for I'VE years has been pleaded for by
washingtonians. and for which Con-
sre8 has at last made an appropriation
viii In all probability. be completed
within the next two years. 1t will rep
resent the highest and latest type OF
school architecture toward which
educators have been striving for years.
This building will cost approximately
81, ,200, 900, viii accommodate 2,50o
pupils, viii be fully equipped with in
stttutional additions, will have a lunch
room Of its own, and will occupy nine
acres, or nearly four city blocks at
Eleventh and Clifton streets. northwest.
The type of architecture chosen is
the Elizabethan Tudor-Gothic, q style
in which several Of the newer schools Of
the District, have been built and which
has proved itself, through the most prac-
teal tests. the best suited to the pecu-
liar requirements of a school house.
The most modern Of school buildings all
over the United States and in the larger
cities. particularly st. Louis, are of this
style Many of the oldest schools and
colleges in England, built in the Eliza
bethan period in the Tudpr.Gothic style,
are still in use, and have prHctfcA au.
houses built in other styles.
Washingtonians may have noticed
that the last few public school build
ings which have been put up since 1907,
bear a certain distinct likeness to one
another, and seem to be after the same
general style of architecture, the Eliza
bethan Tudor Gothic, but that there IS
a marked individuality about each
which is a relief from the old fiat-faced,
characterless, prison type of school
l,,fl with which rhov have hPpn
familiar since childhood.
With the awakened interest in the
welfare of the child. and the stinula-
tion of a scientific diagnosis of all
death knell of the old square red school
house was sounded. Plain, unlovely,
with hopelessiy inadequate window
spacings allowing for far too little light,
small entrances, and halls which could
but barely accommodate the moving
lines Of children passing TO and fro.
these buildings were a grave danger to
the coming generation, and eyesores
which a civilized community should
lave long ago wiped out entirely.
Harmony the Desideratum.
There was every necessity for a de-
cided change here as elsewhere, but
just " hat the chosen style should be-
whether Or not il should be uniforIn
to a greater or a lesser degree, and
whether or not it would be suitable
for the school buildinss of the Dis
trict of Columbia. were Just a few OF
he questions which had TO be settled
h. the municipal architect and his
assistants.
Not only h&d some Of the older
school houses become unsafe and un-
sanitasy. but there was great H.
msnd for new schools and an eS-
client opportunity presented itself.
What kind os school building would
keep within the limitations of the ap-
rropriations and fulfill the fuhdanten-
tai requirements as To neat, light.
ihe schools of Washington as Fed
cral buildings. harmonic with the
other types Of FEDERAL buildings In
this city? After all was said and
Gone, just what was the dominant
iype of architecture OF Washington?
The most distressing point was the
last, for it was necessary TO con-
tlnrally bear in mind that IL was not
the school of the individual city tor
= hich = style of architecture must
Capital OF the United States. in which
all OF the cities had an interest. and
which would be forced to bear Willy
nilly, the criticism not only OF this
country but Of others. Every effort
was TO be mad 70 have a variety in
them near enough alike TO be recoS-
riZable as DVblic institutions.
''he thought that first presented ttself. |
ind which may even now seem alIur1nS
10 the citizen and proper answer TO
he question, was that since Washing |
ION was q colonial city, the school
buildings should be designed in thai
style of architecture. No other type !
seemed 90 be as much in keeping with ]
The dignity which should be upheld; any |
other style would mar the classic artis- |
try Of our fair. city, and detract from |
The historic and sentimental traditions |
of the Capital of the Nation
Capital Style Heterogeneous. /
But after coming down to the bare |
facts in the case and trying the SO
called colonial or Georgian style right |
on Washington, it was found that IL |
vas impossible, and that, long accused. !
the District of Columbia was not only |
not colonial. but quite heterogeneous in |
its architectural style. Manifestly, it !
NouId be like chasing rainbow to |
choose a specified type from type
Which existed only in the imagination.
The nearest thing to a definite style 1
which associates itself with this city is /
what is known as the Greek revival" /
of England and the style Empire" Of /
France, so an attempt was made TO irni- L
tate il in the schools.
With very little debate as to the 4
practical advantages, with very little /
.+ttention paid TO whether or not the /
buildings you'd serve any other purpose |
;RSl 10 LOOK q part of Washington, u.