The sun., 1916-09-10

A further consideration. however. OF tne
range of form. color and texture TO
which each material IN Incident and the
almost endless combinations in when
they can DO used shows the means to
he limitless. Expression then becomes
not a matter OF medium but OF thought
and the knowledge and understanding OF
the possibilities OF the material at hand.
Considering the decorated exterior
wall again as a picture. there are two
considerations that enter into the coin-
position that are OF immense Importance.
Thu first IN the effect to be presented
by the elevation when l, Is new and
fresh from the hands of the builder.
The other Is the one % major interest.
as Il extends over a much longer period
Of time. What will the front look like
in the years to come when the elements
and the dust of the streets have worked
their will"
As first impressions are considered TO
be the most lasting: as n building that
IL rve years old Is almost a landmark In
this city, and as the need Is usually no
imperative that tenants frequently move
in before the mechanics are out. an
architect can hardly afford to 50 make
his design that 1t will depend on time
and weather to develop Its complete
beauty.
lH6 picture IlQSt 10 NJ y DSSt WuS
finished. and not appreciably deteriorate
with age. in monumental structures.
where the features are we'll pronounced,
where all architectural details are en-
phasized. where the lights and shadows
are In strong contrast and where ex-
pense Is q lesser consideration. the com-
bination Of temporary and permanent ef-
feet Is a comparatively easy matter.
In the average commercial structures
(where the revenue Is the paramount ID
sue) tho fiat geometrical surfaces and
lightly defined lines begin to lose their
character the day after the mason nm
ishes cleaning down..
What may happen to a well considered
design is strikingly illustrated In the two
fronts Of II Metropolitan Club Building,
at Sixtieth street n Fifth avenue. The
west front, where 1t Is washed by the
wind driven rain, Is as clean and fresh
looking as the day 1t was completed by
the builder. The south front. where It Is
protected BY the building on the opposite
side of h street. IL no discolored and
ugly that It must DO seen to be appre-
ciated.
A splendid new building recently COM
pleted at tho southeast corner Of Forty
third street and Fifth avenue attracts
attention by its pleasing ines and color.
In a few years 1t will attract less at
tention than the one ut the southwest
corner OF Forty.fourth street. At that
time they will both DO the same color
and the latter has the stronger II less at
tractive features.
II Is only a few weeks since the sand
blast was being employed to restore
some semblance OF the natural color TO
a ten year old monumental Fifth avenue
! building, while Madison Square Garden,
OF nearly twice II age. still retains It's
original color and charm. Many other
examples OF a similar kind might be
cited. hut a look from almost any
' window will illustrate tho point. wher-
ever dust. rain. sun and frost can OBJ
tain a foothold the work Of deteriora-
ton goes forward az steadily as time H.
self.
As the majority Of buildings along the
principal thoroughfares lose individual
and dictinctive character by the fatten-
Ing OF architectural features owing to the
several restrictions and the ever increas-
ing value Of the floor space behind the
walls the need for more careful design
and permanent effect becomes more and
more essential.
With the present use OF porous ma
terial. moro or less monotonous In color,
It will not he long before tho streets will
be enclosed between dull walls as un-
interesting as the smoke begrimed sides
OF u factory
Tho worst part Of the gray prospect
Is that the principal streets and avenues
will suffer the most. "a tho best designs
and the most susceptible materials are
Gore abundant there. From present In.
d~icatons. the higher ana moro costly the