The Dolores star., 1921-03-25
Garage Combines Art and Utility.

In the early Guys of the automobile,
and. in fact, quite recently, the owner
was satisfied to house his car in al
most anything that had II 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-
claiiy among the suburbanites, there
mas come demand for private gar
age. The owner, with whom efficiency
mas become IL habit, demands more
than a mere housing; he aims to have
Il building that is distinctive in de-
sign, often tireproof, 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 degree of reliability that
makes frequent and extensive repa1r-
ing unnecessary. The average owner
of car finds it no troublesome task
to clean and adjust his own car, and
to care for 1t on his premises. The
number of men who operate and look
after their own cars is increasing an
nually. For many, this is not only
cheaper, but more pleasant, arrange
ment.
The garage, therefore, has become
indispensable for the owners con-
venience and thus forms quite nee
essary adjunct to the home. There
are few structures which are so use
full or so necessary in which the ar
tistic features are so generally over
looked
| Primarily, the garage Is building
intended to shelter the automobile; 1t
may be attractive and well construct
ed, but If the architectural treatment
does not harmonize with the adjacent
buildings, the general effect Is some
what displeasing.
Style and Location.
| The style Of the garage Is matter
that may be safely left to the dIscre-
tion Of the architect. The logical To-
the house. This is point, however,
that can be discussed only generally,
us individual requirements may make
1t necessary to locate the garage else.
where on the property. Considerable
thought should be given to the selec-
tlon of the site. and the choice should
be influenced by the idea of convent
ence and accessibility from the road.
The living habits and conditions of n
great many people have created new
architectural problem in designing the
suburban house with an adjoining
garage. To the man building 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 n garage
must necessarily differ in individual
cases, there are certain essential prn-
cipes which should be generally OBJ
served. The details to he first cOnsid-
cred by the owner might be enumerat-
| tu uS lolloNS. EllSl, thV stiNtti'h vi
IN 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,
MS the danger of fire Is greatly in
creased when cars are stored In frame
buildings. In addition, there is always
danger to adjacent property in case 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 man
part OF the building is necessary. Inc
car room should be ventilated both at
the bottom and at the top, so as to pro-
mote circulation of the air. Venting
the car room from the top alone
will naturally draw off foul air, but
will not remove gasoline fumes.
The rules of the National Board or
Fire Underwriters association make
If necessary that the storage tanks Tor
gasoline be placed under ground peio"
the level of the lowest pipe used 1or
filling the tank or delivering the gaso-
line and preferably about ten tee'
away from the building. The tank
should be Of steel plate, securely rN
,ted and galvanized on the outside'
and coated with rust-proOf paint, pro-
yded with a flll pipe and vent pipe
;, The floor of the car room shonlo NC
constructed of noncombustlble mater,-
= | nj with surfaces that will not noso.n Io
I al. NIL angles should be coved 10
avoid sharp corners for dirt to iougp
=, me flushing Of the car room VIII