Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-12


widespread discussion and thought
on the subject of doo-dads on buildings
has followed the criticism of such en-
bellishment of school houses by Mr.
Simmons, chairman of the House DIS
trict subcommittee on appropriations
Cites Columns on Facade.
Mr.. Simmons mentioned, among other
Stems, the columns on the facade OF
the Paul Junior High School as peing
doo-dads, that is, characterization which
could have been left off the building,
and which added to the cost OF the
structure. Mr.. Simmons did not call
these columns bad doo-dadS" but
rather protested that the money they
cost could better have been spent else.
where. These columns, as a matter OF
fact, are regarded as rather good doo-
dads, intellectually. The question
then is one of expediency there.
These six columns are but tiny
part of the host of architectural doc
dads to be found in Washington.
The old State, War and Navy Build
ang perhaps is the outstanding example
of doo-dadism gone wild. President
Hoover leads a list of prominent pub
Tic officials, artists, city planners, archi-
tects who have termed this building S
ornamentation atrocious. The PreSl-
dent has fostered movement to have
the structure entirely refaced in more
simple and correct style. Congress
recently authorized an appropriation 10
this end Thus the host OF columns,
pedimentS over windows, cornlceS on
the numerous chimneys and other in
tricate embellishments would be rakeo
off and a simpler face constructed.
Should Express Feeling.
Contemporary architects make the
ooint not that there should be GER
tain number of doo-dadS to building,
but that the ornamentatlon should
have a meaning, express feeIng, nave
some useful purpose as well as add 10
the beauty of the structure.
The State, War and Navy Building
has an exterior whose huge surfaces are
literally covered with jiggers, the most
Of which could have been left of.
Properly conceived and executed
buildings with doo-dads, however, are
being planned and built by the Federal
and District Governments. The monu-
mental, classic structures being erected
in the great Mall triangle have ex-
tensive colonnades, beaded cornices,
heavy porticoes and pediments, belt
courses, modillions and other embellish-
ments of outstanding beauty, though
When plans were first started for the
new Municipal Center on the north side
of Pennsylvania avenue, leaders repre-
senting the Federal Government urged
that the city build structures IN keep
ing with the classic style of the Federal
developments, that the same basic style
of classic architecture be employed,
columns, pediments and all. This IS
being done, despite the fact that such
establishment will cost more than more
box-like buildings with little or no deco
ration. with general approval by tax
payers.
It will be remembered, also, that the Fine
Arts Commission about two years ago
waged a publicity fight against the
owners of a cigar store who proposed
to build a new shop on Pennsylvania
avenue, because it was felt the design
was not suitable to the location. They
persuaded the owners to face the build
2ng with stone instead of brick, more
ornamental cornice was adopted and
otherwise not more but better doo-dadS
were employed.
Redesign Building.
More recently representatives of the
National Capital Park and Planning
Commission consulted with the Stand
ard Oil Co., concerning plans for its
new Office building and service station
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