Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-06-26
TOUR OF COMPARISON SHOWS
FINE POINTS In MODEL HOUSES
Two Trips Are Outlined for Those Interested Either
in Detached Homes in Group Development
Projects.
BY HORACE w. PEASLEE, A. T. A.,

Homes. Member The Stars Supervisor,
Demonstration.
What constitutes model home:
Are these Star demonstration houses
really model homes? What was tC
have been demonstrated and Just what
has been the actual accomplishment:
Has the end justified the means?
All these and many more questions
of similar character might we'll be I'D
Nanced by any one who has been fol.
lowing to greater or less extent the
different stages of this demonstration
Some of those who might attempt to
answer these. questions without knoWl
edge of the preliminary conditions
might very possibly make adverse
comments; but to any one who is con.
sidering the building of home there
is no question but that invaluable in
formation and guidance can be gained
from these houses, If investigated
with an understanding of the original
objects in view.
Distinction Is Drawn.
Illustration might be given Of the
distinction between a factory and a
laboratory. From the factory with
out fuss or furore, and in many cases
with the aid of artisans only, may
NpllIc IlIllSneu
from the laboratory, with an elaborate
staff and much action and reaction.
may come an imperfect product: but it
Is from the laboratory that invention
and progress result.
1t has been just this way with the
model home demonstration These
are not nine building projects for each
or which an architect was given free
hand to go ahead and solve his prob
lem as seemed most advantageous to
him, but each one of the projects fitted
INTO It's own peculiar place in the
scheme Of the demonstration, and the
architects were required to take GER
tain problems and solve them in GER
tain ways.
Thus it happens that the demonstra-
ton has brought out working models
of stone and brick and stucco and
frame detached houses executed in
styles which might be designated as
Georgian. or as variations Of Colonial
types. In the same way the group
housing prOjectS--the Semi-detached
community and row hI'.-, Shave each
been designated for solution in certain
definite ways, two in picturesque Eng
fish variations, one in Italian, one in
Georgian.
For one who is seriously interested
IN getting real information out of the
demonstration, by far the best way is
to make a comparative examination
not of any one type but of all the types
taking them in order as may be most
conveniently followed. One afternoon
over the continuous route described
Will allow Is or 20 minutes for the
examination of each house. Two
afternoons will permit a thorough in
spection Of all the projects.
1t now remains to point out lust
what one should learn by such a very
general comparative inspection. Let
us assume two trips, one to be taken
by a family interested in the acuuisi.
tion OF detached house. the other by
a party interested in the purchase of a
unit in the group DEVELOPMENT.
Review of Detached Houses.
Or the former type let US first ex-
anime the demonstration house built
Oy Mrs. Ruby Lee Minar and Ward
Brown, architect, in Lee Heights. Va
reached in about Is minutes via the
nrst right.hand road after crossino
the Key Bridge. Here we have an nm.
pretentious. inexpensive frame house.
placed on the lot in such a way as to
gain broad southern exposure and
the advantageous division of the prop.
erty. The house has great deal Of
that fndefinable quality known as "at
mosphere." When its setting SHAH
nave been carried out and the plant
material established it may we'll mass
as product of an older day. II IL
simple, straightforward, a very Ifvable
modern adaptation of a type peculiar
to Virginia
A peculiar phase Of the development
Is the discussion precipitated by the
placing Of the garage in a rather con-
spicuous position along the street
leading from the Lee Highway. From
the point Of view Of the owner Of the
property, and from the usual ap-
proach, 1t is exactly the right place
Tor the garage, and adjoining it would
be exactly the right place for a ga
rage on the next property, with the
adjoining house arranged in similar
fashion. so as to get the best light and
ventilation. With suitable setting Of
shrubs and trees, these buildings would
tie into the landscape. Yet such situa-
lions present one Of the greatest prob.
lens that the architect has to deal
with, overcoming adherence to Gus.
tom; and because custom has so
strongly established that a garage
should be in the back and a porch In
front, such q placement as this is one
OF the most difficult TO popularize, even
though 1t means an arrangement Of a
house and lot actually to greater adj
vantage. To those interested in pur-
suing this subject, reference is made
TO group Of models developed in
Garden Club Of American competition
which are now on exhibition In the
lobby Of the New National Museum.
Here the logical placing of the garage
and Of the outdoor living quarters is
strikingly shown.
Visit To Maryland House.
The next detached house In order of
size lies in Maryland. a short way be-
yond the District line 1t Is reached
Alaska avenue, thence to Georgia ave-
nue. and by the continuing line. Of
Brookeville Pike to Silver Spring,
turning right on the ColesviIle Pike,
to the comparatively new development
of the Stambough Construction Co
at Wynnewood Park. Here an effort
has been made by the architect, Percy
Adams, to obtain a frame structure
Of type BETTING the traditions Of
Maryland. yet with every recognition
OF modern requirements. 1t Is inter-
esting to note how such modern items
as breakfast nook. dressing room,
double baths and sleeping porch are
inconspicuously absorbed in this old
type.
The house impresses one as both re-
fined and comfortable. 1t is not large,
but is not crowded. There is no pre-
tense, but there is attention to re.
flnement of detail Two features
especially commend themselves: First.
the distinct separation Of the entrance
and the living porch, the one giving
limited but ample shelter for arriving
guests in time of storm, yet affording
absolutely no view Of the intimate