The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1923-04-20
FRILLS MISSING IN
NEBRASKACAPITOL
May Lead To New Period
Of Design
IS OF LASTING TYPE
New Structure Covers Nearly
Four Acres and To Cost
$5,OOO,OO0
ASSOCIATED Press Dispatch


Omaha, April 1.-THE astonish-
ing influence that the new capitol
of Nebraska. now under construc-
ton, seems to behaving on present
day architectural design, leads to
the suggestion that Nebraska may
be destined to the cradle Of a worth
while American architecture, &C
cording Thomas r. Kimball, OF this
city, past president of the Ameri-
can Institute OF Architects.
Nebraska has blazed the path =
way that is leading the world TO
aesthetic architectural freedom in
this new state capitol" states Mr..
Kimball The influence OF this
new building is being felt, as is
shown in tho receDt Chicago Trlo-
une competition, where among zoe
or more submissions, most OF the
noticeable efforts were clearly
raceable to this capitol. -
Simplicity In Design
Extreme simplicity has taken
the place of elaboration. resulting IN
great saving in cost without loss OF
dignity. There are several points
OF arrangement that are peculiar to
this building. one OF which Is that
the usual useless dome Is replaced
by an equally monumental and
wholly useful tower. wherein space
for storage of state records IS pro-
vided, adequate for a century"
The architect has drawn from
nearly every known style, type and
period Of architecture and in their
combination at once defied prece
dent and achieved a striking sue
cess
Mr.. Kimbar stated that it might
we'll lead TO a new and lasting type
Of architecture.
This new capitol not only shat
tcrs accepted tradition in its plan
but presents n most enllghtenlns
example of how. without stupidity
adapting or covering, we may avail
ourselves of our full heritage of de-
sign" he added This new capitol
has at least challenged the assump-
tiCn that this age of material things
with its new client the people may
be going TO have a worthy and last
ing architecture OF its own, accom- e
pIished both because Of and in spite
OF the commercialism that so domi
mates the here and now"
Will Cover Four Acres
The new capitol will be approx
mately 440 feet square. covering al
lOSI lOuT ICISs, anu Will NOsS IhS
state about $4,000, 600. The base
ment will be below the grade. first
floor forming a terrace entirely
around the building, and a main
floor bringing the parapet to a
height of 81 feet from the ground
level. The tower rises from the
center to a height Of 400 feet and
is surmOunted by a colossal figure
cglled The Sewer" 1t Will be
eighty feet square at the base and
taper only slightly as it rises. II
is a square severe shaft, pierced on
each OF its four sides by long con
tinuous windows. terminating in a
graceful dome The lower portion
Of the tower will contain the main
rOtunda Above will be dozen
floors of offices housing many OF
the state departments.
The main entrance Is from the
north, by means Of a broad flight OF
steps. Immediately inside is the
rail- Of state. a vaulted apartment
about so feet high At the left are
the governors chambers while al
the right and left of the rotunda are
the senate and house chambers, re-
spectively. The supreme court
rooms apd library are, in tho rear
Four courts opening to tae sky
will admit light and all TO the in
terror. The entire structure is un-
ique in that no artificial lighting is
required in any department.
The material is Of stone Of q
light buff tone and the tower is OF
steel IT is estimated that the tow
er will be seen from 80 to 40 miles
in every direction.