Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-02
s6.OOO,OO0,OO0 YEAR is SEEN
IN THE BUILDING INDUSTRY
Improvement in Architectural Design and in
Quality of Materials and Work
manship Forecast

Each wear for the past FIVE years
the Architectural Forum Of New York
has conducted an extensive survey
among architects and builders to de-
termine the amount Of building con-
struction contemplated for the en-
suing year. The method used includes
the obtaining of confidential reports
from thousands of sources covering
siX seogra phiCal divisions of the
United States in ~ building classitt-
ca tions. These reports are carefully
1abulated and correlated and the totals
determined by a careful system OF
weighing. Thus the final forecast
figures are established after months
Of careful research work.
Each Forum forecast during this
five-yesr period has proved tn lie eN-
tremely close TO the actual figures
shown al the end of The year. and IN
Al cases conservative. so that this
survey has become recoG ni2ed rs the
most authoritative presentation OF
probable buildin" activity. The ado
cation Of activity throughout the
country iS an almost certain indica-
tion Of what viii actually take place
in the building industry.
Record Year Expected.
In view nj the fact that the Forum
six-hillion- dollar building year. prob
ably equal TO the record breaking &C
tivity Of 1925. it viii he interesting to
review briefly the building activity of
the year 1925 i'm order that later com
parsons may he clear.
At the beginning of the wear 1925 all
conditions Indicated that This year
would probably equal 1924, which es-
tahGshed a record up To that time:
but no one anticipated completely the
amazing volume - which The building
totals have climbed Records we're
broken everywhere during 1925.
A tabulatiOn shows the amazing Of
1854 1872. 500. which will PASS over
The boards OF architects and into
actual construction during the wear
1926. In addition to this vast sum
TO be spent for building materials and
lahor there must he considered that
in the small-house field and that of
industrial construction there is con
siderable building not developed from
architects plans. prohahly totaling
another half billion dollars
Thus il is predicted that 1925 will
relative proportions oC activity in
he another six billion dollar building
year with certain changes in the
building types and districts.
Change in Types.
In the course Of the research work
involved in esta blishinc this forecast
for 1925 the Architectural Forum has
had the opportunity to make an in
terestinc series of observations as TO
the changing character of new build
ing in the United States There is
indicated a change in public dema nd
for new buildings. but ii may also he
noted that the general character of
materials and workma nship in build.
lngs is constantly improving.
The high cost of building together
with increased real estate values has
during the past few years provided
forced education for the investing
public in this field. indicat ting the
fallacy OF poorly considered planning
and the use of inferior materials and
workma nship. The great effort in the
planning of buildings today is to elmi-
nate all waste space and provide a
maximum of rental or utility eff
cheney, at the same time attempting
definitely 10 reduce depreciation and
maintenance cost through good archi-
tectural specifications
Many mort gage compa mics. having
learned the lesson nf sound building
collateral. are insisting upon better
construction and upon serious re-
view of plans and specifica tons before
building and permanent mortga ge
loans are made.
The total effect of these conditions
is reflected in constant Improvement
in the character of new buildings and
the placing of greatly inCrea sed re-
sponsibility upon the architectural
profession, which to a great extent
controls the expenditure Of the build
ing dollar.