Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-02-28
SPACE ECONOMY FOUND
BIG BUILDING PROBLEM
Increased Construction Cost Makes
Architects Task Difficult,
Writer Declares.

IN these days of increased cost of la
Dor and material in the construction of
dwellings, one of the big problems that
confronts the architect is strict economy
of space in the planning of structure"
says Harry c. Ramsay in the Boston
American.
For example, the dwelling which sew
eral years ago could be built for 5000
would today cost to erect close TO $1,000
And there is a proportionate increase in
the cost of the lot in any desirable sec
ton of the city.
with the purchasing power of the dol
lar smaller and no more dollars in sight
with which to build the home. the only
alternative is obviously to reduce the size
of the dwelling. This is exactly what is
being done in many instances.
And it is up to the architect. in the
planning of this smaller dwelling. SO to
utilize space that every inch of this
smaller dwelling shall be adapted to some
use Consequently the large, rambling
structure with its large closets. halls and
s,oreroom has given way to the trim,
snug bungalow, with Its built-in furniture
and other space-Saving devices.
THE bungalow. incidentally first well
coined in California, is coming into great
er favor in the east year by year as the
ideal small home.
This is due to the fact that the bunga-
low is practically the only type Of small
home that can be given an attractive ex-
terror and individuality of design. More
over ii may be erected at comparatively
small cost
THE problem of strict economy of
space is not peculiar to the private
dwelling. however, but it has been and is
being worked out in the apartment house,
office building and every kind of struc-
ture. The light housekeeping suite, with
its kitchenette. is one instance of the
way in which architects have tried TO
solve il.
In the private dwelling it has given
birth TO space-saving arrangements and
devices that have furnished almost The
same amount of available floor space in
a dwelling only two-thirds as large.
In the kitchenette of today, foc eX-
ample there are placed cases, drawers.
cupboards, flour barrel bin and baking
counters, which entirely eliminate the
pantry. This not only saves valuable
space. but it is d step-saver and very
convenient.
Another practical means of combining
utility with space-saving is the construc-
ton of the refrigerator directly in the
wall of the house. Thus ice could be
placed in the ice chamber from the out
side. y door. inside the kitchen. flush
with the inner wall. would give access
10 the refrigerator from the inside.
There is another great space-saver in
the form of a new type of ped that may
be cleverly folded up and swung into
closet when not in use. This closet may
be ventilated by window at one side.
This type of bed would permit room
TO be used during the day as living
room or den or library. and at night as
a sleeping chamber. The closet into which
the bed folds may be made large enough
for use dressing room. and Il dresser
placed in it. This arrangement practical
" gives full use of chamber. living room.
den or library. and dressing room with
single room and large closet.
This arrangement is by no means eX-
detrimental. and has been used in other
cities with considerable success 1t would
also ,,<eiie available a sleeping porch in
connection with the chamber. The same
bed could be swung directly out onto the
sleeping porch during favorable weather
and inside during storm. The bed
would swing into u closet between bal
cony and chamber during the day