The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-03

climate, while in the United States ~
build houses because we think we IKE
their looks irrespective OF their suit
ability. I think. that our men were im-
pressed by this difference between
American. and European houses and
that they will want houses that are
built more consistently with reference
to the availability Of existing material
and that are an adaptation to local
needs rather than mere reproduction
OF some other house. This will doubt
less result In the building of more Eng
lish houses. They are more easily
adapted to American climatic and land
scape conditions and they appeal to US
more strongly because Of our race like
ness
The influence of foreign architecture
upon our soldiers. according to Lucian
e. Smith of West Forty-seventh street.
has been largely unconscious. He be-
lieves, though. that IL has given them
better appreciation of fine things and
has produced a desire for permanent
buildings.
when our men were abroad they saw
that the fine buildings of France were
the old buildings They were struck by
the difference between our wooden build
ings and the stone buildings Of Europe
They saw that in other countries the
buildings were adapted to suit local con-
ditions. The men who went to italy
saw that two towns within twenty-five
miles Of each other had buildings OF en-
tirely different material, because the
people of each town used the materials
produced in their own districts.
They could not help being struck by
the difference between the European
countries, where houses are built to last,
and this country, which is cursed by
the speculative builder. AS a result.
believe, they will demand better houses,
and that each man will want his house
built from the materials produced In his
own neighborhood. After seeing the
houses of Europe they will realize that
cheapness and beauty are not incom-
patible."
Mr.. Smith believes that the day of the
Colonial house is fast passing. He
thinks that America as a nation has out
grown It and that II will be replaced by
the later English and Italian houses.
We Are n Gay People.
1.-THE Colonial house Is a heritage from
the England of the Georges" he says.
sit is too SNUG for the Americans of to-
day. We have freer ideas and are a
gayer people. ] know 1t is heresy but
| should hate to live in an absolutely
perfect Colonial house. The better archi-
| tect of to-day does not try to build q
! Colonial or Tudor or an italian house.
He plans a house which Is adapted to
the land md which will give the great
est degree OF comfort He also tries to
build q house which FITS the nature OF his
client and the kind OF life he likes to
lead. AS a result he does not try to
force a hunting lodge upon a clergyman
or satisfy a man who wishes to give
, large entertainments with an English
( farmhouse,
English country architecture has had
a large influence upon our houses in tho
last few years and look for the spread
OF its influence. The men who were in
England were struck by its variety. for
/ inal In the world"
X. G.. How of the architectural frm
OF Bates & How OF 35 West Thirty
ninth street believes that the influence
OF English domestic architecture upon
! the men who have been overseas will bo
widely felt. French houses, he thinks.
will appeal only to the man who can at
! ford to build a chateau at Newport or
I an equally large and extensive house IN
! some other exclusive colony
There is no one type Of house which
| is exclusively suitable for America" said
! Mr.. How. at is really too soon for the
! Influence OF the man who has seen over
/ seas service to be felt upon American
architecture. but / think that English
and modified Colonial houses will still be
the most popular
"In building a house the location OF the
land and the local materials available
should determine the type of house For
example, nat piece of ground demands
a Colonial house"