Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-06-26
|SMALL DWELLING
PLANS Difficult
Dean of Architectural School
Says Architect Must Use
Care and Forethought.

The planning of a small dwelling,
such as Is the subject Of the 1929 ma
ticnal better homes architectural COM
petition. being conducted by the Home
Owners Institute and sponsored by The
Star in this region, is the most difficult
problem the average architect has to
face, according to Frederick Vernon
Murphy, dean of the School of Archi-
lecture of Catholic University and
chairman of the jury of award for the
contest in this district.
In no other type of designing is it
necessary, he declared, to exercise the
extreme care and foresight that are re-
quired in private home. This is true,
Mr.. Murphy explained, because of the
peculiar requirements that must be
present If the house is to be suited for
comfortable occupancy.
Home Building Difficult.
In office buildings, for instance, he
said, the structure is built according to
the specification of the owner, usually
without thought to arrangement of the
rooms or of the various features with
in room. The contrary is true in the
case of home, he pointed out Here
be taken into consideration, and on it
depends whether the house will be
livable. The architect must study
carefully every detail. He must decide
the most convenient arrangement for
the rooms as we'll as the most attrac-
tive exterior design. He sometimes
must spend hours planning just show
he will swing door or where he will
place window to secure 'the best ef-
feet.
In addition, Mr.. Murphy asserted. he
Is usually strictly limited in his use of
space and materials by the owners
means. which often makes 1t difficult
for him to create the harmonious and
artistic atmosphere that Is sought after
in the construction of every home.
It is these obstacles which make the
national better homes competition
extremely interesting to architects and
laymen alike and call out the utmost
of originality from the contestants, Mr..
Murphy thinks.
Set Definite Requirements.
While not desiring to limit this origi-
nality the Home Owners Institute has
set out certain requirements which must
be complied with In the drawing of the
plans and in the specifications. These
are thought necessary to insure that
the contest will fulfil its purpose, which
has been divided into three parts.
The divisions are: First, to develop
practical designs for houses which can
be built within reasonable cost limita-
tons, avoiding freak plans which would
create bad real estate investments:
second, to indicate the practicability of
using dependable materials and equip
ment in order to insure good construc-
ton and permanent satisfaction; third,
to emphasize the practical phases of
planning by limiting all entries to GER
tain sizes and arrangements which will
meet the requirements of the typical
suburban lot.
It is required that the designer con-
template the provision of a dry, water
proof basement suitable for partial use
may be accomplished by using in the
foundations common brick, cement
block, concrete or tile.
ANY type of structural walls and in
terror framing may be employed, thus
allowing the use of brick, stucco, frame,
stone or combinations Of materials. The
competitor is expected to follow in de- i
sign and specifications modern methods
of using these materials, which are
generally accepted and considered good
practice. The more economical meth
DDS of construction will be fayorably
recognized by the jury of award:
Any good type Of roofing material
which is nationally known and distrib-
uted may be used to create the best pos
sible architectural effects. This will in
clude slate, clay, roofing tile, rigid as
bestos cement shingles, or other roofing
of equally good grade.
Best Material Demanded.
The windows above the basement
must be manufactured by an approved
organization and represent the best OBJ
tainable on the market.
Interior wall and ceiling surfaces are
to be designed for construction with
three coats of hydrated lime plaster, or
an equally good material, over metal
lath.
The finished floors throughout are
indicated as hardwood, except in the
be used Special designs In doors and
trims are to be avoided in order to take
advantage of the obvious economies Of
stock production. The use of tile work
is optional with the designer. 1t may
be assumed that bathroom walls and
floors will be tiled. Also quarry tiles or
slate may be used In sunporches and
kitchens.
The best modern types of plumbing
anu piuHlUAIlB lAtufSS are W UC uocU,
including colored mixtures. The re-
ouirements of the competition call for
at last two bathrooms in each house
and an additional toilet room In class
B houses Requirements also demand
modern kitchen and laundry layoutS,
and special thought should be given
to the placement of fixtures from the
standpoint of light and utility. Brass
pipe containing not less than 81 per
cent copper for normally corrosive
waters and not less than IS per cent
copper for highly corrosive waters will
be used in hot and cold water lines
provided for in the specifications. Ev-
cry effort will be made to have the
plumbing systems designed along the
most modern lines of utility and con-
venience.