East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1915-07-02

After having been shown the plans
for the proposed Umatilla county II.
brary the Carnegie people in New
York have notified the library board
through County Judge Marsh that
the $4,000 offered for the building
is now available as needed for the
construction work.
This means the board may now
proceed with the construction of the
building and Messrs. Johnson & May
er, architects, will be instructed to
provide the final specifications. Bids
for erecting the building will then be
asked for and the contract let. II.
w. Hatch, associate architect Of Pen.
dleton. will supervise the construc-
tion work.
The following gives general and
detailed description Of the plans.
Architects Description.
In an interview with Folger John
son. designer of the building. It is
learned that the new Umatllla County
Library will in concept follow the
forms Of the early Italian Renaissance
architecture, but will borrow none Of
the caprice OF this style depending for
effect purely upon harmonious pro-
portion, good color tones and simple
dignity.
A choice OF Italian Renaissance may
seem strange at first thought but
l. Il. o.
certainly most OF the art of our mod
ern civilization is based upon the in
depreciation and attainments of the
Age of Renaissance In Italy which in
turn received its inspiration from the
classic art of old Rome. SO rather
than design the. Pendleton library in
an architectural style that is purely
vogue, enjoying popularity today but
tomorrow falling into dlsfavor, the
architects have reverted directly to
the inspired ages Of the fifteenth and
sixteenth centuries hoping to catch
the spirit of that old work OF which
humanity never seems to tire,
style.
The building will be simple and
dignified and only slightly ornament
ed a conception of style that seems
highly appropriate to such a country
as sourrounds Pendleton of sweeping
contours with but little detail Of trees
or shrubbery. ANY building to har-
monize with this big country must
be of decided form and line, char
acterized by frank expression of its
purpose and void Of all subtlety.
The architects in searching for
pleasing architectural expression found
suggestion in the Portico Of the Pazzi
Chapel which nestles back In the
cloister Of the old church of Santa
Croce, Florence. Italy This portico
combines In effect a colonnaide with
a large arch at the center giving en-
phasis to the entrance, the whole be-
ing crowned with a bracketed corniceI
and tile roof
The motive will be modified and
reproduced in the Pendleton library
at the entrance but the wings of the
building to either side which house
the reading and ehildren's rooms, will
be expressed on the exterior with a
series of arched windows and the ef-
feet of these wings architecturally
will be secured in a contrast Of void
and solid, and play Of light and shade
from the spreading cornlce, but with
no restort to embelllshment. The en-
trance will be keyed somewhat high
er in the elaboration of detail which
will give a pleasing contrast with the
simplicity Of the wings.
Materlal-COnstTuct
In the choice of materials care is
being exercised to use lncombustiblel
materials as far as the available
funds for the building will permit.
The basement walls and floors will be
of concrete and the superstructure OF
stucco on hollow tile; the roof of ter
ra Gotta tile The walls and archl- !
tectural features such as cornlcel
treatment, capitals, etc, on the inte-
rior will be OF plaster or composition
and all tinted so as to tone in with
the background Of wall. Wood Will
be used sparingly; only for door and
window trims, bookcases, stacks and
furniture. The architectural express
sion will conform to that of the exter-
Tor so that the building as a whole
will be a unit in the harmony of It's
parts.
Whether the main floor will be Of
wood or concrete, or other incombus-
tlble material must be determined by
the cost. In any event It will be COW
cred with cork carpet but the en-
trance vestibule and porch will have