The Washington times., 1937-04-26


Avenue and 34th Street and take
its ornamental and dignified place
in WaShington's newest diplo-
matte neighborhood. Though not
an embassy in the conventional
meaning of the word, it is to be
the official house of the Most Rev.
Athletic Giovanni Cicognani, the
Apostolic Delegate, the envoy OF
Pope Plus XII, the most powerful
of uncroWned monarchS, and Of
succeeding ENJOYS from the Vail
can.
Five years ago exactly, the
plans for residence for the Apos-
tolic Delegate were completed by
Mr.. Frederick v. Murphy, head Of
the Department of Architecture
of Catholic University. The plans
were approved by high Catholic
authorities, including Archbishop
Michael j. Curley, chairman OF
the building committee.
To erect such a fine house,
money was naturally necessary.
The year 1892 was the depth Of
the depression. So the building
of the Delegates house had to be
postponed until happier days.
The happier days have come.
During the annual meeting OF the
trustees of the Catholic Univer-
sity which begins tomorrow, ar
rangements will be made for an
immediate building of the Apos-
tolic Delegates house.
The plans of Mr.. Murphy have
been studied at leisure during the
years and found perfect. The site
is waiting. Most important, the
money for the undertaking, about
half a million collars, is neatly
piled up in a convenient bank.
The Apostolic villa will be as
handsome and individual as the
nearby British Embassy, the Nor
wegian Legation and the Legation
of the Union of South Africa. Mr..
Murphy describes it architecture
ally as "modernized classic" Al
though it will have the feeling OF
the Italian Renaissance, it will del
initely be "a part of Washington. !"
he said. However, it will have a
personality of its own and one
reminiscent of the most charming
architectural efforts of sixteenth
century Rome.
Modelled after the masterpieces
of the italian Renaissance, 1t VIII
suggest those places so enjoyed BY
travellers and artists, the villa
d'Este and the villa Medlc1 IN
Rome.
-Four stories Of concrete will be
TONED by a roof tiled in rose N
the italian manner. The facade OF
white limestone will be orna-
rnented with inset pilasters sur
mounted by shields, and with suit
able quotations in Roman Ie1Cer-
ing.
The windows will be particularly
graceful and well-proport1 oned.
Perhaps the entrance door IS the
most pleasing feature OF the ex-
terror. This is as it should be: 1or
a doorway whose mission it is to
welcome should set the standard
for an entire house. Above the
doors arch will be the papal coat
Of arms.
Although many busy residences
are nearby, the garden OF the apps
tolic villa will be peaceful and
quiet and will slope gently down
to the woods of Rock Creek Park.
The Vatican garden, where the
HOLY Father walks in meditation.
as well as other famous Italian
gardens, have been studied for IN
SEPARATION. Perhaps some rare shrubs
and flowers will be brought from
italy and find responsive soil in
Washington.
The building as placed has an
interesting group arrangement
similar to the usual arrangement
of diplomatic households. There
will be four divisions or units har'
moniously planned and placed.
First will be the headquarters
of the Papal Delegate-in reality a
charming home where the dis
tinguished gentleman may live as
quietly and as simply as he wishes.
In this unit will be accommoda-
tions for the various secretaries
and the auditor of the staff.
The second unit will belong to
the chancery, with the Delegates
library, rooms, offices, waiting
rooms and conference rooms. The
archives will be stored in fire.
proof vaults in the basement
beneath the chancery.
A small chapel will be on the
ground floor of the third unit.
This unit will be devoted to
guests and their entertainment,
Although the chapel will be in
tended particularly for the use
of His Excellency and Delegate,
his guests and his household, the
general public will be admitted in
small numbers at certain times
The oratory will be like the
mellowed old italian oratorieS
There will be one principal altar
and two modest ShrineS. The
chapel and the guest and enter
tainment unit will be reached di.
rectly from the street. The
fourth unit will be used by the
domestic staff and for a garage,
Since the villa will be built on an
elevation of varying levels, there
will be surprising terraces and
Aha hNJ1co N1YN-