Evening star., 1923-06-30

New and valuable ideas in the con-
htruction of Office buildings have been
developed by the new building plan
ming service committee Of the Ma
tional Association of Building own
ers and Managers, the reports Of
which in connection with the COM
pIetion Of Its first commission were
available in this city yesterday for
the first time.
The committee is headed by Earl
ehultz of Chicago, president of the
national association, and on the per-
sonnel are experts from New York,
Boston, Cleveland, Detroit Chicago
and other large cities where the con-
struction of office buildings consti-
tutes an important phase of the build
ing Industry.
The first commission of the commit
tee was received from S. w. Straus &
Co. to analyze the plans of their new
$14,0o0.0o0 building. now being erected
at Michigan and Jackson boulevards.
Chicago. The committee remained
in conference for two days. and went
over every detail of the proposed
structure. Many valuable suggestions
were offered by the building man
ayers, wto were able, through their
years of experience in the highly spe-
c!alized field of building management
to judge the building from the man
ayers point Of view, rather than from
the standpoint of the architect or
owner.
May Save $25O,OOO.
Recommendations were made by
the building managers which will
mean saving in construction of
more than S250,000. This was done in
spite of what We're already considered
perfect plans for the StrauS building.
Recomme endations were made for
changing entrances and tirSt-foor
plans. the location and arrangement
of toilet facilities. which will prob
ably add about 300 square feet of
office space on each floor TO be occu-
pied by tenants, and for extra rent
able area opposite the elevators by
the elimination Of the setback on the
upper stories OF the south side Of the
large light court.
The changes as suggested may add
nearly S22500 per year to the rental
income of which a large portion will
represent net profit Io the building,
for the reason ttat II will require a
very slight Increase In operating cost
TO maintain the space gained, mas
much as 1t was so evenly distributed
throughout every section of the
building.
The uppcrmost thought of these
building managers was to cut down
tie margin of unrentable 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
was the order that wherever possible
service 10 the tenant was to be en-
hanced through better and more eff
cient space and through improveme mt
in facilities for those having eXecu-
tive Offices as well for the hun
dredS OF men and women who daily
would make the new Straus building
their working headquarters.
No Fight on Architect.
This building conference, represent
Ing d new order OF business in office
struction, was not conceived to sup
plant the work OF architects in the
layout and design. but merely to sup
piement ideas for increased service
and efficiency. both from the stand
point of owner and tenant.
In explaining the formation and
work of the building planning COM
mlttee. Chairman Shultz asserted that
present building costs necessitate
construction that will enable build
ings to operate at the highest possi
BILE efficiency. For that reason the
committee of experts was formed to
assist not only owners but architects
as well.
Owners and Managers Association
last year" said Mr.. Shultz, revealed
that only 20 per cent of the floor
space Of modern buildings was rent
able. lit is our belief that the margin
= of unrentable area can be cut down
to a great extent
The building planning service COM
mittee. which is now available to
oVners who contemplate new build