San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-02-18
ARCHITECTURE
FROM ITALY IS
. POPULAR HERE
Modified Styles of Italian
Residences Suit San
Antonio's Climate.
ALLOWS WIDE. RANGE
Individual Ideas and Many
Colors Can Be Blended,
j., Says Architect.

italian architecture in finer home
construction is increasing in popu-
srity here, according to Atlee b.
Ayres, architect. Probably the rea-
Fons. for this, he says, is that an
an style homes have been completed
he most beautiful types of archi-
lecture known but it is especially
hdapted to this climate. Several Ital-
an styleh ONES have been completed
recently and a number are reported
l4der construction. When completed
man of them will be among the finer
and more expensive homes of San An
tonic.
As Italy's climate is practically the
came as that of, South Texas, Mr..
Ayres says, homes constructed here
embody Italian types of architecture.
They are adapted to this climate, he
Says, and the white stucco walls with
the green foliage around the house
land the bright blue sky as a back
ground constitute beautiful COM
bination.
Mr.. Ayres encourages the building
of Italian style homes in San Antonio.
When going TO California one imme-
Idiately expects to see the famous Cal
ifornia bungalows and other types Of
homes usually mentioned in connec-
tion with California. When coming
to San Antonio, its name being Span
ish, visitor expects 10 see Spanish
things including Spanish architecture.
He says he mentions Spanish archi-
lecture along with italian for the rea-
son that they are alike in many re-
spects. There is noticeable, although
not radical, difference between
Spanish and Italian types of archi-
lecture, Mr.. Ayres says.
Interchange of Ideas.
Probably the reason for this, he
adds, is that many years ago Italian
and Spanish architects secured designs
from each other. Architects of both
c IN les would visit each other, dis
cuss designs and each produced types
of the present architecture which is
being modified in America.
He also encourages the construction
o. Spanish and Italian homes for
their beauty. He says more indiyid-
f1ality and color can be expressed in
these two types than in almost any
other type Of architecture known to
. America.
DIR. Garrett Robertson's home, To-
Gated on East Summit place, is one
of the many beautiful homes complet-
/ cd in that section of the city recently
embodying Italian ideas. 1t is two
story stucco structure and, is an eX-
cellent example of Italian architec-
ture. Its exterior walls are of white
| 70 Y,nf &c of a N-or1ppn Z cd
| colored tile. The floor of the terrace
| in front of the home is made of red
brick.
Entrayce Is Beautiful.
The entrance of this residence is
one of its chief features, Mr.. Ayres
points out, and is the only one of its
kind in San Antonio. The Byzantine
design on the arch over the door
comes from ideas Mr.. Ayres acquired
when in Europe sometime ago.
The first floor of the Robertson
residence contains large living room,
a dining room, kitchen, breakfast
room and a sun parlor. There are
three bedrooms on the second floor,
:. o bath rooms and sleeping porch
The bath rooms have tile wainscoting
and floors. The interior walls of the
residence are of plaster and the floors
are of oak. The residence is heated
Hiram Partee's residence is also one
of the beautiful italian style homes
here. 1t is located at the corner OF
Craig and Belknap places. 1t is
two-story tile and stucco structure,
with yariegated tile roof. The ter
race is composed of black and white
tile. The first floor of the house
contains an entrance hall, a large liv-
ing room, dining room, a sun par
Tor, breakfast room and a kitchen.
The second floor has four bedrooms.
three bath rooms and sleeping
porch.
The Rigsby home is one Of the most
costly as well as expensive homes in
San Antonio. and is an example OF
smoditied Italian architecture which is
gaining so rapidly in popularity among
San Antonio's builders of finer homes.