Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 August 1895 — A DESIGN IN SWISS STYLE. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

A DESIGN IN SWISS STYLE.

Adapted Ontytaßjral Surrounding* ■nd Boat SaHad to a Mountainous Landscape. [Copyright, 1865.] It is the intention of this series of articles to treat of the various styles of architecture in a perfectly honest manner.

The design illustrated herewith is that of a Swiss cottage, a style that is not fitted for this country in general. Swiss architecture is the outgrowth of the needs and conditions of the inhabitants of Swizerland, and like all national institutions is most appropriate to its natural surroundings. The life of the Swiss peasiant is divided by his occupations into two seasons: the summer, when he is watching and tending his cattle on the high Alps, and the winter, when he is forced to find shelter from the rigorous climate with its fierce storms, in the low lying secluded valleys. Swiss architecture, as built in this country, has been, shall we say, somewhat Americanized, and the accompanying sketch shows a structure that would be effective and pleasing if erected in a suitable location. The latter point is one upon which an architect, versed as well in the technical points of landscape, should be consulted, as many a man spending his money freely, but not discreetly in the erection of a house, has found too late that he has made a serious mistake in trusting too confidently to his own taste. It may be found necessary for him to sell a house that has cost him thousands of dollars, and because of its expressing too strongly his own individuality finds he will not be able to realize a third of his investment. It is the proper duty of the architect not only to draw plans but to advise with his client upon the general style, ac-

commodation and arrangement of the house to be chosen, as well as, and perhaps above all, to see that it harmonizes with its surroundings and suits the artistic demands of the neighborhood. Exterior materials: Foundation, brick; first story, clapboards; second story, gables and roofs, shingles, outside blinds. Interior finish: Hard white plaster; plaster cornices in hall, parlor, dining room and three chambers; soft wood flooring and trim; ash stairway; panels under window in parlor, hall and dining room; bathroom and kitchen wainscoted; interior woodwork finished in hard oil. Suggestions for colors: Clapboards, and sashes, olive; trim, dark green; outside doors, dark green with olive panels; blinds, rain conductors and brick work Pompeian red; veranda, floor and ceiling, drab; underside of roof overhang, medium drab; panels on side of brackets and over bay windows, Pompeian red; wall shingles dipped and brush coated with Indian red stain. The principal rooms and their sizes, closets, etc., are shown by the floor plans. The design illustrating this article would be much out of place by the

seashore, but for a country residence or the suburbs of a city, where the land is not flat but rather mountainous or hilly, its tasteful and striking appearance would be most appropriate. A brief description is given as follows: General dimensions: Width (over all), 36 feet, including veranda, 48 feet, 2 inches. Heights of stories- Cellar,'' ? feet; first story, 10 feet; second story, 9 feet. Cellar under kitchen and pantry. Fireplaces with hardwood mantels in hall, parlor, diningroom and one bedroom and kitchen range included in estimate. Hall designed to be used as a sitting room. The i attic is floored for storage. The cost of this design is $3,516 as described, not including heater, the estimate being based on New York prices for materials and labor, but in many sections of the country the cosfc should be less.

COOP. BUILDING PLANASS[?]. ARCHITECTS N.Y.

First Floor

Second Floor