Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1933-07-18
NEED FOR REPAIR
WORK PO|NTED0UT
Desirabi|ity Held Dependent
on Sale Value or Earning
Power of Structures.

The desirability Of undertaking mod
ernization at this time depends on the
sales value or earning capacity Of the
remodeled structures, the Renovize
Washington Campaign Committee of
the Washington Board of Trade points
out
Although it is apparent" q spokes-
man for the committee states, that In
many localities We have at present an
oversupply of rentable space in almost
all types of commercial buildings, there
Is distinct need for remodeling work
which will increase the earning capacity
of the investment, either through mod
ernization, without changing the type OF
occupancy, or by complete reyamping OF
the structure to bring the property into
more favored class of occupancy.
Most alterations that are now under
way or contemplated in the near future
fall into one of two categories. On the
one hand, there is the possibility OF i'm
proving the appearance and conyen-
fences OF hotels and apartments or the
moderniAtion of stores and restaurants.
On the other hand there is a broad
field of work involving the more or less
complete reconstruction of Anticipated
residences and occasionally of CONNER
cial buildings for the purpose OF trans
forming the property into attractive,
modern multifamily dwellings.
Analysis Given Attention.
"Many organizations throughout the
country are directing very serious effort
to an analysis of alteration problems.
Dc fcoIjnp thot IL will ho
many years before material prices are
as low or the efficiency of the building
trade as high as at the present time. This
Is very important factor in the cost of
present-day construction. But II an ar
chitect is to induce his prospect to I'M
dertake alteration work, these general
facts must be reduced to specific esti-
mates of cost, against which the in
creased earning capacity of the prop
erty must be checked
"In the case of alteration work the
architect cannot use square foot or cubic
foot prices for the purpose Of making
preliminary estimates OF cost. Fairly
complete drawings must be prepared be-
fore definite estimates can be obtaineI
but experience in the remodeling of old
buildings, supplemented by careful pro-
cedure In the analysis Of the problem,
will greatly assist in determining ap-
proximate figures, which will insure
that the eventual expenditures will be
within the owners budget.
From the experience Of various firms
specializing in this work, it appears
that an economic study OF the clients
business or the potential earning Ca
pacity of the property in question is the
FIRST step. The object of this prelini-
nary investigation is to determine the
fn OF idool
were, which it would be desirable to at
tain from the viewpoint of improving
the investment.
THE next step is generally concerned
with the physical character of the
property; the stability of walls, the
carrying capacity of the structural
floors, the condition of the present
mechanical installations and the prac-
tical limitations of alienation as con-
trolled by the factor of unwarranted
expense. A structural survey of this
nature should be made. with consider
able detail, to provide the designer with
q thorough description of existing con-
ditions in order that he may be able
to decide what portions Of the building
must be condemned and what elements
may be incorporated in the new plans.
Difficulty Realized.
Both Of these studies are prelimi-
nary to the actual work of design. With
this information at hand the architect
can proceed with the preparation Of his
drawings and specifications illustrating
the new arrangement. The problem will
then be to accomplish, within the limits
set by the old structure and the
owners budget, as many as possible of
the changes and improvements outlined
in the economic survey"