Evening star., 1935-06-22
FLASHY FEATURES
OF HOMES SCORED
Many Small Houses Have
Been Poorly Designed,
Institute Says.

ghoddy decoration, mechanical gadg-
cts and flashy finish viii give way to
efficient plan, sound construction and
finishing requiring minimum Of up
keep expense in the designs Of the
Buffalo Small House Bureau, accord
ing to the Buffalo Chapter OF the
American Institute Of Architects.
'For some years 1t has been evident
that the average owner of the small
building costing $500 or less has not
secured the maximum value for his
money In his property, because these
buildings are, for the most part, in
ef1ciently planned, poorly designed
and carelessly constructed of i'm
proper materials and without compe-
tent supervision" report by the
chapter points out.
"The owner failed to appreciate the
real cause of high maintenance cost
and low resale value. With drastic
reductions in income, many owners
were compelled to vacate properties
that were subsequently sold at prices
which meant a loss to both mortgagor
and mortgage. The low resale value
of these buildings was not solely the
result of the existing economic con-
ditions, but was, to great degree,
determined by their poor condition,
which had resulted from the original
use of improper materials, inferior
construction and poor design.
Problem Outlined.
"These factors should be eliminated
from the small buildings field, as they
invariably result in rapid depreciation
and obSolescence Of property. The
problem is how to increase for the
owner the possibility of securing
structure which will comfortably
serve his needs, without unwarranted
expenditures for permanency and
maintenance.
1.-The Government is doing all with
In its power to bring about a revival
of building, especially In the small
house field, and is urging upon banks
and other lending institutions the de-
STABILITY, and even the necessity, Of
taking mortgages on such new build
ings.
with this action on the part Of
the Government, the following Ques-
tions automatically arise: VIII these
mortgages be good or will they con-
stitUte additional undesirable risks?
Will it be possible for either bank
or the Government to liquidate such
mortgages at their face value should
the mortgage pe unable to ful1u his
obligations to them? It it is possible
to make them better risks for both
Government and the hanks, how can
this best be done?
Fancy Trimmings Tricky.
Architects feel that some new serv-
ice must be made available in the
design of small homes Fancy trim
mings have fooled the buyer. Too
great emphasis is, as rule, put upon
shoddy decoration, mechanical gadg-
cts and flashy finish, and not enough
on efficient plan, sound construction
and finish requiring a minimum Of
expense for upkeep, all productive Of
O high resale value"
The keystone Of the Buffalo Small
House Bureau, organized by the archi-
tects to protect The home owners in
terests at minimum cost, Is the use
of standard" plans and specifications
Tor homes not exceeding $500 in
value, it is explained. These plans
are prepared BY registered architects
to meet a variety of needs.
Before any design is accepted it
will be passed upon by the board of
directors, to insure that the design
is correct and tnat pride Of owner
ship will be its possessor's privilege"
the report continues.
Dissatisfaction or litigation with
the builder, faulty construction and
rapid depreciation, high upkeep or low
resale value will be avoided ny max
ing use of the bureau, at a cost which
cannot be reduced"