Evening star., 1932-03-26
Home of Papal Delegate to Be of Roman Style
General Plans for New
Structure Approved by
u. S. Committee.
ITALIAN GARDEN
PART OF PROJECT
Construction Is Expected to
Get Under Way During
This Year.

LANS for Roman villa. the fu-
- ture home of the papal delegate
10 Washington, now are being
Il completed, and construction of
this stately structure on the
large site on Massachusetts avenue al
Observatory Circle is expected to be
started some time this year
The apostolic delegation house
which Will constitute an impressive new
INK IN the chain Of recent embassy and
legation developments on this thorough
fare between Dupont Circle and Mount
st. Adams, is to be of Italisn Renais-
sance architectural style, with due re-
gard Tor modern characteristics.
The Roman character of the struc-
ture is to be in evidence both in the
building itself, as to interior and ex-
terror, and in the large formal Italian
garden to be developed in the sloping
terrain OF the rear portion Of the tract
according to plans now being laid out
In detail by Frederick V. Murphy of
this city, who holds the chair of archi-
lecture at the Catholic University OF
America.
The garden is to be laid out as much
as possible in keeping with those of the
Villa Medici and others of prominence
In Rome. The general plans for the
development have been approved by the
bulldlng Committee of the American
neirarchy, OF which Archbishop Michael
j. Curley OF Baltimore is a member.
The site for the new delegation house
was acquired some time ago in antici-
patton of the building project. The
property has frontage of about $50
feet on Massachusetts, avenue and a
depth OF about $50 feet, running north
to Fulton street. The building will af-
ford an outlook over the wooded areas
OF nearby Rock Greek Park.
Details Of the building. revealed here
this week by Mr. Murphy, call for de-
velopment Of building of monumental
character, Roman in general feeling.
The exterior of the building will be
of white limestone, with a base of
granite and a roofing of tile or some
tone of red in keeping with the Italian
manner. Exterior details of the de-
sign are to be Of simple but not austere
character.
The main facade is to be ornamented
by four piasters, two on either side of
the main, center entrance these colum-
mar projections being surmounted by
large shields. There will be quotations
in Roman lettering on the facade be-
tween the pilasters.
On the ground floor Of the building
are to be reception rooms for visitors
and large entrance lobby, opposite
which will rise a monumental type of
staircase which will be carried up to
the main or first floor
At the left side of the ground floor
there will be a private chapel for the
use of the papal delegate and his house
hold. which also Is to be open to the
public on certain occasions. At the
right side of this floor will be the
chancery quarters. This section of the
building will be divided into a series
of consultation rooms, a library and
archives for the storage of state docu-
ments.
Nuns associated with the manage
ment of the home will be provided
private quarters in a wing Of the build
ing to the north
On the main floor Of the building
there will be a large reception room
with connecting anterooms. large and
small dining rooms and recreation or