New-York tribune., 1920-02-15
American Apartment Life
To Be introduced i'm Japan
Representatives of Japanese Government Delve
Into MYSTERIES Of Yankee Multi-Family Homes,
Construction and Details Of Maintenance

would be embodied, without alterations
in the plans OF the houses to be erected
in Japan.
During the course Of our convcrsa-
tion | learned from the commissioner
that many of the wealthy and promi
ncnt residents Of Japan are not as we'll
housed as are the average salaried
American business man. This conciU-
sion OF the Japanese commissioner was
voiced after his inspection of the mod
ern garden" type apartments erected
at Jackson Heights and the newer
houses at Homewood. 1t was announced
recently that Japan Is preparing now
to cxpend many millions on new bous-
ing projects.
Returning TO the subject of housing
IN general it seems TO be the consensus
that the general trend is toward the
prevention of proper housing, rather
than to furthering the construction Of
highly standardized buildings, in the
plannngs of which it is recognized that
the most important factor is an ample
supply of light, sun and air.
1t Is this principle that has been ad-
hered to most closely in the planning
and construction of this new garden"
type of houses erected at Jackson
Heights. 1t is fact that when we'll
planned building propositions are sub
mitted to investors, developers and
lenders the latter frequently fall into
the error of criticizng them as being
too good" This is serious hsndicap
to an architect, who gives his every
effort to planning a building that, from
the hygienic and housekeeping point of
view, is practically q guarantee Of good
health and contentment.
We architects frequently find our
slves face TO face with a number of
sadly uninformed, or miSinformed, crit
les, those who lack experience, or who
are deficient in their knowledge Of the
Fundamental requirements of good and
proper housing. The experience of the
greensboro Corporation at Jackson
Heights has demonstrated that the
principles I contend for arc both prac-
teal and profitable to the builder end
apartment house dweller.
Planning OF House
The planning cf houses in its final
analysis is, in fact, an economic PROB
lem of vital lm,~rtance to both the
owner and the tenant. If the existing
housing methods were improved upon,
there would be less difficulty expe-
rienced in the housing Of the city's
population.
In the opinion Of number Of semi
professional builders and few archl-
tects, the most economical method Of
building is to cover the largest possi-
bic percentage Of the lot, thereby
creating a bulk of cubeage.
My experience has been that this THIS
excess cubeage not only increases the
cost of the building, but also creates
large amount of useless space not
desired or required by the occupants,
as it increases the cost of floor. Gov
erings, house furnishings. lighting
and service. In short. the require
ments of family seeking four, nve V {,
or six room apartment must be studied
and met. They do not wish to pay for
that which they do not need, and
neither should it be necessary for the
owner to pay for more than his ten
ants require, and for which ne can ''s'
no more than the market rent; =,
It is my contention that with tho
use Of good judgment in tbs applica-
tion and the proper treatment OF brick