The New York herald., 1921-10-23
Development of National Style Q
Architecture Shows Definite Trend
Toward Polychrome Effect in Dec
oration, Says Expert = Faience.
Mellow Tinted Clay Tiling, Used
With Good Effect in Dwellings,
! Hotels, Libraries and Even
in Business Buildings
BY LEON ". SCION.
Treasurer Of tho Nep York Architec-
ttrdI League

We are acquiring q mental habit since
the termination OF the great war which
tends to assume that all subsequent re-
suits sra calamitous by nature. Heroic
expectations have d:sso.z,x a discour-
agement; high ideals engendered In the
stress of strife have ceased TO influence
actions; even the exalted status OF cred
itor nation carries with II the disabilities
and embarrassments which made the
existence of King Midas a burden; ma
terial benefits OF any magnitude are
unrealizable through confusion In values
and financial instability.
In the midst of these depressing cir
cumstances we begin to perceive reas-
suring signs which point to the gain OF
advantages OF no mean order affecting
the highest phases of intellectual activ-
ity in this country. One Of the most
important of these ethical benefits is
evidenced by the augmented spirit OF
self-reliance which is discernible In the
practise Of American fine and decorative
arts during the last two or three years
This is undoubtedly due to the lengthy
interruption Of artistic relations with
Europe during the war and the conse-
quent lack Of occasion for an exercise OF
that undue modesty which afflicts the
American when in contact with the lega-
tees of older cultures. The realization
has matured to the effect that an asser-
tion of spontaneous American feeling in
artistic expression does not entail con-
sequent inferiority.
In architecture particularly, which Is
undoubtedly the most virile Of artistic
activities to-day, the successful realiza-
ton of the highest architectonic ideals
in unprecedented problems has impaired
a sense Of mastery which liberates the
practitioner from that hampering diff
dence which Is fatal to Individual ex-
preston.
The American architect has developed
his faculties through assiduous student
ship of the decorative and historic tradi-
tions of European architecture; n COM
pelling desire now actuates him toward
a self-expression which will be in con-
formity with his ideals as stylistic
purist. AS consequence of these ap-
parently conflicting purposes certain
tendencies and directions OF imaginative
effort are asserting themselves. which
are of sufficient interest and breadth of
scope to encourage the belief that they
will ultimately become factors in n
purely American type of architectonic
expression. Historic traditions prevail
as basis of architectural design. The
individual note so far consists in an ap-
Darently UNCONSCIOUS revision or scale
in ornamental detail and a keen interest
in the decorative capacity of arts ac-
cessory to architecture as u means for
giving additional interest which will not
conflict with the feeling OF style.
A condition exists in this country
which Is without parallel elsewhere, in
fluencing the point Of view of those who
finance structural projects and those
who design them the conviction Is es-
tablished that individuality in architec-
tural expression, free from any form Of
cccentricity, Is an essential element to
assure success in realty investment. 1t
is also conceded that the cachet of his
toric style must be impaired to the
structure. The problem resolves itself
into the question as to. how an appear
ance of individuality may be impaired
to a building which conforms strictly to
the historic traditions Of architecture.
One method has proved Inadequate to
the decorative requirement OF the indi-
=idual type of design. This centred
around the use of variet; OF structural
materials of Various textures and color
quality. the latter In its restricted