Evening star., 1933-05-06

of this month.
The new building was designed by
4 group of Washington architects af-
filiated with Allied Architects in COL
laboration with the Architect of the
Capitol and follows the Greek Ionic
order of architecture, modified to con-
form to the early Federal style of build
ings. The Consolidated Engineering
Corporation of Baltimore are the build
ers.
Taking advantage of the marked
drop in building material and equip
ment costs since Congress authorized
s8,4O0,O00 for the site and construction
of the building in 1929, saving of ap-
proximately $1,200,000 has been real
lied, after completely furnishing the
structure, an item not called for in the
original estimates.
Cost Held Down.
While the new home of members of
the House of Representatives appears to
give forth a feeling of luxuriousness
and ornateness, actual cost figures, the
designers point out. do not bear out
this contention. Careful study and
planning, coupled with precision in the
selection of materials, has made pos
sible this feeling, rather than unWar-
ranted expenditure Of funds. Although
comparative figures could not be Sc
cured, it is believed the cost Of the
new building per cubic foot is less than
that of the old House Office Building.
The new structure contains Office
suites for Isl members. BY relieving
the congestion in the old building,
which was constructed to allow one
room to a member. the Representatives
who remained there are now provided
with two rooms each.
The whole conception OF the eXte-
rior design of the new building was in
tended to be subordinate to the Cap
itol itself. and is entirely free of orna-
mentation. Because of a difference in
grade of approximately "a feet be-
tween the high and low corners Of the
site, it was found necessary to provide
a series of terraces, portions OF Whlch
are above and portions below the street
levels. AS a matter of fact, the build
ing may be entered on three different
floors from the street level.
The terraced portion of the building,
I'D to the height of the first floor, is
of pink granite. while above that point
the building is finished with white mar
bic. The roof is OF copper.
Landscaping and architectural treat
ment of the interior court IS an out
standing feature. This court is un-
usually large in proportion to the size
of the building, providing unusually
good light for Offices facing on it. The
walls fronting on the court are 1aceo
with limestone, and the court plan 1oi-
lows that Of an ellipse, with stone bal
ustrades and seats in each OF the tour
corners. An elliptical fountain basin
graces the center of the court.
Planning Of Suites.
Much study and care was given to
the planning of the Office suites IN
order to have them meet the needs
of the occupants. The plan and the
Appointments for each suite we're con-
sidered by the architects as the most
important items in the design and con-
struction of the building. =,
A majority of the offices are 1dentl-
cal in plan, the others varying only as
REQUIRED to conform to the general plan
of the building, which imposed GER
tain limitations, the designers explain.
Each suite contains a large room Tor
the clerical staff of the member.
nrivate Office with separate entrance,
small storage room and lavatory.
Woodwork throughout the offices Is
of American walnut, simple in design
and attractively finished and blended.
The necessary bookshelveS, storage CAP
the walls. and in addition each pri-
vate office is equipped with small
fireproof safe, also built into the wall.
Flooring is of rubber tile, attractive IN
appearance and rendering unnecessary
the use of other floor covering.
While everything deemed necessary
to efficiency and low maintenance cost
has been provided, no elaborate decora-
tions or other unneeded features nave
been added to the office suites. NE"
furniture has been provided through
out. but this Is simple IN design, al
though of good, durable materlaH.
window shading is furnished by vene-
tian blinds, making unnecessary tne
use Of exterior awnings. Rad1ation Is
recessed In the walls, permitting uth1za-
ton Of q larger amount OF hoor space.
Committee Rooms.
Overcoming an unsatisfactory cond1.
tion in the old building, seven smau
committee rooms, distributed about the
different floors, have been provided
These rooms have not been elaborately
decorated, but reveal an ornateness not
found in the average office suites. Eacn
of the committee rooms Is proVloeo
with a large table to accommodate tne
committee members and with otner
necessary furniture.
Five larger committee rooms, eacn
approximately 80 by so feet, are 10
Gated on the third floor, the ceiling
extending through the fourth floor, CIV
ing a ceiling height of 18 feet: IN
each Of these is horseshoe-snapeo
rostrum, the platform OF which Is ap-
CONTINUED on Second Page.)