Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-06-26
By w. III. l. FLEMING.

Architect for The Stars Model Semi-det ached
Houses.
The purpose of the semi detached
houses built as part of The Stars
demonstration at Thirteenth and
! CpShur streets northeast is to afford
more light and air and greater feeling
of space than in possible in row
house. This. on account of neceS-
sarily greater lot frontage and greater
outside wall area. means more costly
home than II row house of the same
shape and same floor area and cubic
contents.
In the houses of this type being built
~ Michigan Park one will find that
, nc siZe and disposition not only of
he ARE ngement within the house but
the space between houses has been
studied and perfected to such an ex-
tent that each and every element is
of ample size and yet OF the minimum
size that produces the feeling that it
is ample, without a square foot OF
waste space. They have been studied
with the greatest care for comfort and
convenience. in the disposition of the
parts, in providing wall space in its
proper position for furniture and
fixtures. and the various appliances
and contrivances that eliminate useless
effort for occupants.
The model houses occupy the north
east corner. thus affording an east,
south and west exposure for the cor
ner house.
The front door enters directly into
the living room, which is not particu-
larly Objectionable and is offset by a
larger living room than would be
possible with u hall entrance.
Living Room Large.
The living room is Is feet inches
by Il feet. From the living room one
looks through wioe openings through
the dining room and rear glass-in-
closed porch into the garden beyond,
thus giving a feeling Of greater space
than the walls of the building would
indicate. On one side of the living
room is a fireplace with ample f1ue
and ash pit opening. The facing and
hearth are OF brick, with a stock wood
mantel Of good design and the inside
of the fireplace is lined with f1rebrlckS.
The hearth is depressed slightly below
the finished floor. thus permitting wax
ing of the floor without marring the
hearth and washing of the hearth with
out marring the waXed floor and
obviates the eventual lowering of the
floor from the hearth on account of
shrinkage The fireplace Is fianked on
both sides by low windows, affording
an outlook in two directions for the
added enjoyment of those who are
seated before it. Opposite the fire.
place is an archway in the plastered
wall giving access to the stairway to
the second floor.
on the landing at the foot of the
stairs is a coat closet with mirrored
door and u light. The stairs, three
and a. half feet wide in the clear, have
bA pnneYal effect of amDleneSS,
Feature of First Floor.
A feature of the first floor is the
porch to the rear Of the dining room
which is finished on the inside with
plastered walls and ceiling. Easement
windows on three sides furnish a use
full space overlooking the garden and
the porch could be used as a break
fast room, sitting room or for flowers,
as desired This porch extends
through two floors, finished the same
on both floors and heated.
The kitchen is equipped with a
cabinet, gas range. one-piece enamel
iron sink with drainboard. back and
swinging faucet. and refrigerator,
which Is iced from the covered kitchen
porch with access by outside STAIRS 10
the garden.
, The second floor accommodates Tour
bedrooms with closet space and bath
room and the rear glasS.incioSed porch
which can be used as sleeping porch
or sitting room Two of the bedrooms
will accommodate twin beds, the third
a double bed and the fourth single
bed The bathroom has d window on
the outside wall, a built-in tub with
shower above, white tile floor and
wainscoting. and a builtin white
enamel iron medicine cabinet. the