Evening star., 1920-12-18
BUILDING IN D. c.
WSLETHARGY
Operations Slow, But Archi-
tects Express Optimistic
View of Future.

Most of the building being done in
Washington. at the present time. is in
the offices Of the various architects-on
paper The architectural end of the
construction industry is also suffering
from the building lethargy, although the
profession here feels generally optimis-
tic regarding the future.
A survsy of number of the princi-
pal architects Offices disclosed virtually
similar conditions. But few structures
are being planned for immediate erec-
ton, although a number Of buildings
are being designed for construction when
Improvement in the industry 10 noted.
Z Buifdfax PIans Del.yed.
A large amount of work was done
by the architects during tho fifst six
months Of the past year on plans for
buildings which have been held In abey-
ance. The working drawings for many
Of these projects have been completed.
and estimates on sone have been taken.
but owing to the high cost Of building
construction and the inability to secure
funds with which to fina nee them, pro-
moters have reserved action.
Architects believe it only reasonable
that a certain percentage Of this work
which has accrued will again come to
life early in the new year. accelerated
perhaps, by the belief that prices will
be lowest when work is scarcest. Add
ing to the leftover work the current
work for the new year, which 10 ex-
pected to develop, the profession feels
justified in expressing optimism at the
outlook for the coming season.
ZoaanG Systea ResA5us4nent.
Architects of this city have had added
trouble this year through the institu-
ton of, the zoning system for the Dis
trict Of Columbia. Before the city was
marked of by restricted limits it was
unnecessary for members Of the pro-
fession to exercise particular care IN the
planning of a building with regard to
municipal regulations, other than seeing
that the product Of their designs con-
formed to the fire and health reguia-
tions and the building code.
ulations to- take into consideratton on
every project. arrhitects have found
it nece ssarS to become thoroughly ia
miliar with the principal provisiops
Of the zoning rules, and often spend
much time in studying copies Of the
promulgated regulations and maps.
Architects whose leaning toward the
finer points OF art is pronounced are
secretly <exulting over certain edicts
of the Ieommission. especially with re-
gard to the height of buildings. it was
learned.
Eject ON the BuiIder.
1t was often the case in the past to
find the architect and the builder at
odds oyer the height Of q proposed
structure. The builder, with the sue
cess Of his investment in view would
insist on adding several stories to a
building planned architecturally for a
limited height. which clashed with
the artistic ideas OF the designer.
With coming regulations before him.
| in the main conforming with the ideas
of the purely artistic school OF archf-
tects. however. the builder is forced
] by his architect, backed up as 1t may
be by the coming law.
! On the other hand, architects have
been forced to curb or modify their
artistic tendencies in many instances
because Of the scarcity and high price
! Of certain materials which are used
! for decorative purposes. Brass work
| of many kinds. including its applica- :
! tion to fancy doorknobs, --keyhoie
| plates. window fasteners and grips.
! and siais guards. Mas not found -
! great a use as before brass and bronze
mounted in cost. due TO the war.
Other Metals Substitated.
| Necessity of war has brought about
! the substitution of other metals for
these purposes and also has had de-
cided effect in developing a fad for
| simplicity in design for homes and
| other buildings. 1t ds pointed out
Most OF the buildings planned today
| are lacking in ornamentation, being
marked for their fine. plain character
| istics.