Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-05
Capitol Front
'ProjectDraws
Another Attack
Architect Magazine
AssuiIs Extension
AS 'Boondoeeline'

The proposed extension of the
east front of the Capitol drew
another blast from Architectural
Forum magazine this week as
plans were made for a meeting
of the new commission in charge
of the project.
Douglas Haskell, editor OF the
magazine. writes in the February
issue which reaches subscribers
this week that Congress soon
may find itself spending SIS mil
lion on monumental building
folly" if it does not repeal the
IS million starter appropriation.
Planning for the work, mean
while, should move another
notch forward with a forthcom-
ing meeting. possibly this week,
of the Commission for Extension
of the United States Capitol.
1857 Start is Expected
j. George Stewart. Architect of
the Capitol and a member Of the
commission, expressed hope that
construction could begin right
after Inauguration.
Others members of the COM
mission are Vice President Nixon,
House Speaker Rayburn. Senate
Minority Leader Knowland and
House Minority Leader Martin.
Architects of the Capitol have
recommended for many years
that the front be extended, for
architectural reasons as well as
to provide Congress with addi-
Itional needed space and facilities.
1t has been emphasized time
and time again that the big
Capitol dome, of cast iron, ap-
pears to overhang the east front
portion.
S2O0 Per Square Foot
Based on his prediction of a
SIS million total cost for the
work, Mr.. Haskell arrived at a
figure of 5000 per square foot.
which is close to four times
the costlieSt Office space ever
yet erected, or better than six
times normal f1rst-class space
cost"
| He contended few would OBJ
ject to the expense "if it were
really needed to KEEP the Capitol
of a great Nation workable"
But. he said. "the real, the hid
den aim seems to be to improve
an outstanding piece of archi-
lecture.
! He argued that the Capitol is
|! a building which succeeds against
I textbook rules.
/ According to the rules, you
never build big dome without
a building block under it that
extends well out beyond it," he
wrote. Such a base is not
needed for construction, but only
for conventional esthetics."
Called "Boondoggling"
In the case Of the Capitol, he
asserted, people became aware
as time wore on that despite its
faults, it was building with
a unique and remarkably pleas
ing personality" He added, IN
stead of being like every other
domed building in the world, it
was unlike them-to its own
advantage"
| He suggested Congress get a
report from Henry Shepley. Of
Boston. to whom the Architects
Office already has talked, ION
how to solve its space and circu-
Ilation problems inside the pres
ent building before it decides to
embark on what now looks like q
prize piece of architectural boom
doggling and folly. -
/ The American Institute of Ar
chitects' board of directors, al
though the organization has not
officially changed its stand
against the extension of the
building. has notified the sArchi-
tect's Once of its approval of
the idea of replanning the east
plaza of the Capitol.
Edmund r. Purves, executive
/ director of the ALA, explained
that while the group historically
has opposed the extension, it is
far more concerned about the
whole problem of the setting of
the Capitol. He said the area
should be a beautifully de-
signed" open space, and not just
parking lot.
Urges Replanning of Plaza
| Mr.. Stewart said that the
plaza must be replanned Of ne
cessity with the reconstruction
of the central portion of the
Capitol. The law calls for recon-
struction in substantial accord
anee with an architectural
kSCIlEIliG ouUkilLbtCu w SOlI61COo AL
1905 by a New York consulting
firm.
/ But it says the plan may be
expanded with such modifica-
itions and additions, including
provisions for restaurant facil-
ties in the Capitol grounds. to-
gether with utilities. equipment.
approaches and other pertinent
or necessary items. as may be
approved by the Commission.
| This may mean underground
parking for a few thousand cars.
and an underground service en-
trance, among other facilities.
In discussing the cost Of the
project. Mr.. Stewart noted that
a previous estimate for moving
the building front out 30-odd
feet had been rs million. but
that he could not say now what
the overall project win cost.
| From an architectural stand
point" he said. Il don't think