The Washington times., 1923-06-30
MONEY IS SAVED
FOR BUILDING
OWNERS
Planning Service Committee
Makes Report on Work of
Its First Commission.

New and valuable ideas in the
construction Of office buildings
have been developed by the new
building planning service COM
mittee Of the National Associa-
ton of Building Owners and
Managers, the reports of which
in connection with the completion
Of its first commission were avail
able in this city yesterday for
the first time.
The committee is headed by Earl
Schultz, Of Chicago, president of
the National Association, and the
personnel includes experts from
New York, Boston, Cleveland, De-
troit, Chicago, and other large
cities where the construction Of Of.
flee buildings constitutes an i'm.
portant phase OF the building in
ydustry.
Straus Commission Big.
The first commission of the com
tnittee was received from S. w.
Straus & Co. to analyze the plans
Of their new $14.OOO,OOO building
now being erected at Michigan and
jackson boulevards, Chicago. The
committee remained in conference
for two days ard went over every
detail of the new Straus building
from the sub-basement to the top
or the tower. Many valuable sug-
gestions were offered by the build
ing managers, who were able
through their years Of experience
in the highly specialized field Of
building management to Judge the
structure from the managers point
Of view rather than from the stand
point OF the architect or owner.
Recommendation were made by
the building managers which will
mean a saving in construction OF
more than $250,OOO. This was done
in spite Of what were already con-
Sidered perfect plans for the Straus
bui. ling.
Important Changes Made.
Recommendation were made for
changing entrances and first floor
plans, the location and arrangement
OF toilet facilities which will prob
ably add about 800 square feet OF
office space on each floor to be &C.
cupied by tenants, and for extra
rentable area opposite the elevators
by the elimination Of the set back
on the upper stories of the south
side of the large light court. The
changes as suggested may add
nearly $22, 500 per year to the rem
tai income, of which a large por-
ton will represent net profit to
the building. for the reason that
II win require a very slight increase
In operating cost to maintain the
space gained. inasmuch as it was so
evenly distributed throughout every
section of the building.
Wanted to Save.
The uppermost thought Of these
building managers was to cut down
the margin of unrentab1e area Of
the building, thus enabling a saving
In operation expenses and providing
q maximum OF income for the
builders and owners. Parallel to
this thought the order that where
eyer possible service to the tenant
was to be enhanced through better
and more efficient space and
through improvement in facilities
for those having executive offices,
as well as for the hundreds of men
and women who daily would make
the new Straus building their work
ing headquarters.
This building conference, repre-
Benting a new order of business in
office or any other type Of building
construction, was not conceived to
gupplant the work of architects in
the layout and design but merely
TO supplement ideas for increased
service and efficiency, both from
the standpoint of owner and tenant.
Explains Purpose.
In explaining the formation and
work of the Building Planning Com
Tnittee, Chairman Shultz asserted
that present building costs neces-,
state construction that will enable
buildings to operate at the high
est possible efficiency. For that
reason, the committee of experts
was formed to assist not only
owners, but architects as well.
"a survey made by the Building
Owners and Managers Association
last year." said Mr.. Shultz, "re-
vealed that only 20 per cent Of the
floor space Of modern buildings was
rentable. It is our belief, that the
margin of unrentable area can be
cut to a great extent"
The Building Planning Service
Committee, which is now. available
to owners who contemplate new
building throughout the country il
in addition to Mr.. Shultz, chairman,
composed Of the following members:
Clarence T. Coley, Equitable build
ing, New York; w. H. Ballard, man.
ager OF several large buildings in
Boston, including the Chamber Of
Commerce building; w. M. MacLach-
lau, Penobscot building, Detroit;
M. S. Halliday, associated with the
construction of the Union Trust Com
pany, of Cleveland. Ohio: Louis r.
Clark. manager of the Wright and
Calender building, Los Angeles, Cal;
and Lewis 3. Emerling, secretary
OF the National Association.
Service Great Asset.
This committee, according to Mr..
Ehultz, will do everything possible
In the interests of efficiency and econ
Ony in office building construction.
He said this service was destined to
become one of the greatest assets
to owners, architects, engineers,
investment bankers and mortgage
loan firms engaged in the construc-
tion-and operation Of new office
buildings, 1t assures the owner that
ne will receive the greatest possible
income from his new building
through the service of the Building
Planning Service Of the National
Association.
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