The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-01-29
TOWER BUILDING !
FOR CAPITOL HAS .
BANGS APPROVAL
Grand Forks Man Says Beauty
and Economy Favor Pro-
posed Design
COSTS LESS TO OPERATE
Forecasts L-Shaped Structure
From IS to 20 Stories
in Height
COSTS LESS TO OPERATE

in Height
Minot, N. D.. Jan. 29.-(P)-Con-
struction Of q tower-type structure as
North Dakota's new -million. dol
lar capitol building is tentatively
planned by the state capitol building
commission, 1t became known here
Friday.
In an interview here George A.
Bangs, chairman of the commission.
stated that the commission Is for the
time being agreed to construction Of
an original type Of building combining
the modern office building design, 30
as to obtain a maximum of efficiency
without losing any Of the dignity
which the commission feels a building
OF this type should have.
1T Is toward the modified type Of
building. tentatively pro-
posed as an L-shaped structure with
a tower Of from Is to 20 stories hous-
ing the administrative offices and the
remainder used by the constitutions!
officers and for legislative chambers.
that the commission at the present
time Is directing its most serious
study. Bangs said.
I'm studying the conventional type
Of capitol building. somewhat modelled
after the nations capitol at WASH
ington. the commission has realized
that there is much less efficiency in
those structures than there would be
in the other type of building.
Is Less Expensive
Broad Railways, massive, monu-
mental staircases and high ceilings III
this type Of building all contribute to
the lack OF efficiency. with from 60 ~
10 per cent Of the building given owe.
to ornamentation Of a highly expen-
sive nature. It Is pointed out that not
only Is the original cost high In this
type Of building, but also the expense
of maintenance Is forever large fig
ure.
In the commercial type of building,
the commission looks for an efficiency
Of 70 to IS per cent. or approximately
double the amount to be found In a
conventional type of structure. It is
pointed out that. with increased floor
space efficiency. there comes an
economy in construction and heating
expense and repairs are reduced to a
minimum.
TN planning for the new capitol,
the commission Is looking to future
needs as well as present requirements,
realizing that the 100000 structure
will be expected to serve for rs years
or even century.
1.-THE commission must anticipate
what departments Of the government
will expand In future years, sad how
much.
THE commission must consider the
possible necessity of providing more
room than that which would exist In
the building as constructed now.
Hence, attention must be paid to see
ing that foundations are sufficiently
strong to carry additional upper
floors, which would be possible to add
In q commercial type Of structure.
If q conventional type Of building
to fit North Dakota's present and fu-
ture needs were to be erected, the
commission sees the necessity OF
erecting a structure about $40 feet
long.
Entrance in Tower
STUDY Of the tower type. with a
three or four-story extension to form
an L-shaped structure, has shown that
the tower. Is to 20 stories in height
would have to be about 100 by 100 feet
in ground dimensions. The tower
would be built strictly along the lines
Of a business building. with the mon
-umental features reserved for the
lower portion and the extension. the
principal entrance to which would be
through the main floor Of the tower
"On the main floor Of the tower and
along one side Of great cathedral
like hallway, leading to the legislative
chamber, would be located the prin-
cipal or constitutional officers Of the
state, such as governor, attorney gen
eral, secretary Of state. and 50 forth
In whose offices there Is, certain to be
no great necessity for expansion In
future years.
I'm this great hallway. where orna-
mentation would be lavish. the ceiling
would be raised to 40 or As feet. while
the length Of the hallway itself would
be somewhere near 800.
1.-THE chambers Of the senate and
the house would be places Of out
standing beauty and ample committee
rooms for the legislature would be
conveniently located nearby.
Would Prevent Confusion
I'm such q type Of building, the
commission believes. the administers
tive business Of the state could be car
ried on with dispatch in the tower
portion without interrupting or con-
fusion occurring during the 60 days
Of each two year that the legislature
Is in session.
III such q plan were to be adopted
the fine memorial building upon the
capitol grounds would be restored I,
It's original conception and the pres
emit state offices now occupying !,
would be moved to assigned quarters
In the new structure.
mot only Is II the initial cost which
No must take into consideration. bul
also the future maintenance COSTS
Bangs said"