New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1921-03-25

In the early days Of the automobile,
and, In fact, quite recently, the owner
was satisfied to house his car In al
most anything that had a roof, gar
ages were unknown and owners of
cars had little thought of that item,
the barn being sufficient for ones
needs.
Not so today. With the growing
popularity of the automobile, espe-
cially among the suburbanites, there
has come a demand for a private gar
age. The owner, with whom efficiency
has become a habit, demands more
than a mere housing; he aims to have
a building that is distinctive In de-
sign, often freproof, durable, and
equipped to facilitate the work his
car must be subject to his immediate
call.
What is more, the practice of keep
ing the car at home is more practical
and satisfactory now than in former
years, since automobiles have been
brought to a degree of reliability that
makes frequent and extensive repair
Ing unnecessary. The average owner
of a car finds 1t no troublesome task
TO clean and adjust his W car, and
to care for it on his premises. The
number of men who operate and look
after their OWL cars Is increasing an
nually. For many, this Is not only
cheaper, but "A more pleasant, arrange
ment.
The garage, therefore, has become
Indispensable for the owners con-
venience and thus forms quite a nee
essary adjunct to the home. There
are few structures which are so use
full or so necessary In which the ar
looked.
Primarily, the garage is a building
Intended to shelter the automobile; 1t
may be attractive and well construct
ed, but If the architectural treatment
does not hnrmonize with the adjacent
buildings, the general effect is some
what d~ispleasing.
Style and Location.
The style Of the garage Is a matter
that may be safely left to the dlscre-
ton of the architect. The logical To-
cation of the garage Is Mt the rear of
the house. This Is n point, however,
that can be discussed only generally,
as individual requirements may make
1t necessary to locate the garage else
where on the property. Considerable
thought should be given to the selec-
ton Of the site, and the choice should
be influenced by the idea of convent
nee and accessibility from the road.
The living habits and conditions of n
great many people have created a new
architectural problem In designing the
suburban house with an adjoining
garage. To the man building a home
of moderate cost this close proximity
of his garage Is Of advantage, in that
1t places his car at his immediate dis
posal.
While the minor details of a garage
must necessarily differ In individual
cases, there are certain essential prin-
clples which should be generally OBJ
served. The details to be first consid-
cred by the owner might be enumerat-
ed as follows: First, the selection of
nm accessible site: second. protection
from fire third, efficiently meeting the
needs of the owner; fourth, a convent
ent arrangement of the various parts.
Danger Of Wood Buildings.
1t is hardly necessary to say that
wood garages are not to be encouraged.
as the danger of fire is greatly In
creased when ears are stored in frame
buildings. In addition. there Is always
danger to adjacent property in cast Of
fire starting within. 1t is possible to
design a garage which shall be absO-
lutely fireproof against danger from
within or without.
Where hot water or steam Is used
for heating purposes. complete isola- !
tion of the boiler room from the main
part OF the building is necessary. The
car room should be ventilated both at
the bottom and at the top, 50 as TO pro
the car room from the top alone
Will naturally draw on foul air, nut
will not remove gasoline fumes.
The rules Of the National Board Of
Fire Underwriters association make
IL necessary that the storage tanks for
gasoline be placed under ground below
the level of the Lowest pipe used fer
filling the tank or delivering the gaso-
line. and preferably about ten feet
away from the building. The tank
should be OF steel plate, securely riv-
eted and galvanized on the outside,
and coated with rLs:-prcof paint. pro-
vided with a III pipe and a tent pipe.
The floor Of the car room should be
constructed Of noncombustible msteri-
al, with surfaces that will not absorb
oil all angles should be coved to
avoid sharp ms for dirt to lodge
in. The flushing Of the car room will