The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-02-15
Continued from page one)

| ing, ana were fortunate IN selecting
Mr.. Goodhue, one of our greater
architects. for the commission Good
hue had always refused to accept the
authority of tradition unquestioned
and he decided that the conventional
expression of a capitol building was
obsolete and that the problem was
worthy of contemporary treatment
He recognized. however, the necessity
| for some dominating feature in the
design and so he substituted tower
purely decorative in this case, for the
| traditional dome He was thus the
first to break away from this accepted
form of expression, and made it pos
sible for his successors to approach the
requirements of the problem in a
freer manner. and attempt solution
comparable to our world famous pri-
vate enterprises
Louisiana Went Further
Louisiana, with the success of Ne
braska recognized. carried the mod.
ern approach still further. Here the
tower is not only the dominating
architectural feature Of the building
but contains large portion OF the
administrative offices of the capitol
louisiana did not, however, recognize
in its plan the logical separation OF
the two major functions of govern
ment, the administrative and the leg
islative. The legislature. house and
senate, meet internationally. whereas
the requirements Of the adminiStra-
ton necessitate continuous function.
They should logically be separated in
plan. In most state capitols they are
confused.
THE determination for their separ-
alton came to the architects and the
commission after exhaustive investi-
CATION and study, and careful
analysis of the problem and the re-
quirements of the various depart
ments. In North Dakota the legisla
ture is in session about two months
every two years, and in arriving at a
solution it was determined that they
should be grouped at one end Of the
plant and the administration at the
other rather than to be incorporated
within the administrative offices. as
happens in most capitol BUILDINGS.
Keeping this in mind. a general de-
scription CT the building follows:
Approach To Be Terrace
From a point where Sixth st. in
tersects the boulevard there will be a
slightly terraced approach 1900 feet
long leading through avenues Of
shade trees to the plaza in front OF
the capitol, spot some $50 feet back
OF the old burned structure.
"The office block or administrative
building, in which the various depart
ments are superimposed is planned to
afford the maximum amount of light
to all spaces, the minimum loss of
space in communicating corridors,
and considerable saving of time In
the accessibility of all departments.
Experience has determined that
all the above advantages accrue from
the use Of vertical transportation af-
forded by modern elevator equipment.
such an arrangement permits of
more definite segregation OF depart
mentS and the total elimination of
any overlapping or confusing between
them.
1T also permits of all of the gen.
eral utilities, stairways, valutS, etc.
occupying the interior of the space
with the rooms and offices arranged
with an abundance of light and air
around the perimeter of the plan
Precise Arrangement
1T affords opportunity for precise
arrangement of working spaces, toll
cts, ETC.. particularly where the same
are typical Of the various floors.
I'm these respects the proposed ar
rangements are much more economi-
cal than a similar amount of space
would be planned in the usual hori-
zontal fashion. Recognition that ver-
, teal transportation is preferable to
horizontal is emphasized by many
recent constructions.
The administrative structure will
pile up in monumental form to a
height of 236 feet above grade, pro-
viding a beacon of governmental ac-
tivity observable from miles around.
THE plaza leading to the main en-
trance is arranged as a series of ter
races, separated by easy flights OF
steps, and in the center there will be
erected large obelisk sculptured
around the base with figures emble-
NAUTICAL of state activities.
"All of the windows throughout
will be of solid section aluminium me-
tai glazed with plate glass, of type
insuring adequate ease in Amusement
for ventilation facilities and capable
of being cleaned from the inside.
Will Be Fireproof
THE buildings will be constructed
of fire-resisting materials and will
have steel framework with all mem
bers fire-proofed with concrete and
the whole resting upon a heavy con-
crete foundation.
1.-The general floor construction will
be of hollow tile arch with concrete
fill and with cement finish prepared
to receive the various individual floor
finishes required by the nature Of the
different departments.
There will be ground level provid.
ed below the area OF the administra.
ton building devoted almost entirely
to large storage vaults protected with
fire and burglar proof doors.
!, The power plant and other me-
chanical features will be taken carr
Of in q sub basement at this point.
"On the ground floor on the wes
side. = driveway has been providee
to the entrance lobby for the legisla
tive hall above. Off this lobby vii
be found the necessary check rooms
locker rooms, committee rooms, pres
room. etc.