Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 301, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 December 1910 — The American Home WILLIAM A. RADFORD Editor [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The American Home WILLIAM A. RADFORD Editor

Mr. William A. Radford will answer questions and give advice FREE OF COST on all subjects pertaining to the subject of building for the readers of this paper. On account of his wide experience as Editor, Author and Manufacturer, he is, without doubt, the highest authority on ainhese suhjeots'. Address all Inquiries to William A. Radford, No. IS Fifth Ave., Chicago, 111., and only enclose two-cent stamp for reply. A good lesson in home building may be learned from the large operators "who make a business of building up whole streets in the suburbs with houses of medium size for the purpose of selling the improved property at a profit, besides increasing the valnation of the remaining vacant property in the neighborhood. These real estate operators have, found that it pays them best to give a great deal of attention to the design of their houses. Of course, every house must be substantially built and arranged for practical conveniences and utility; but this is not enough. Such houses must be attractive also. Each must have a distinctive, individual :appearance. This matter of distinctive appearance la especially important where a large number of new houses are being put up at the same time in the Bame neighborhood; for nothing looks quite so cheap and uninviting as a whole line of new houses all packed in close together and all of the same monotonous appearance. While the average home builder does not have this exact problem to contend with, still he should take warning from such examples and guard against conditions that may If he builds a house of commonplace appearance, one that looks Just like a hundred others which have been built, or may be built in the future, In the neighborhood, he will find that there is nothing to distinguish his house from the rest. It will depreciate In value on that account, for the

prospective customer these days invariably wants a house that he can take pride in. And in addition to the increase value of such a house at times of sale there is also a more important phase of the question. A house of attractive individual appearance makes a better home than one of plain and characterless design. The children take more pleasure in such a home, to take care of it and keep it up; and so the home means more to them and its influence will remain with them. But what is the secret of good design? An experienced architect who

has made a study of home building will produce work with seemingly ▼cry little effort which stands out unique from all other designs and is at the same time in perfect proportion and possessing the essential features of comfort and convenience. Under a master band the everyday materials seem to be given a new meaning, and the common-place elements; or parts of the building, are arranged in proportion in new and striking effects. It is not so much that the skilled architect uses different materials or more expensive materials than the ordinary carpenter architect would select, but he proportions them In a different way so that the building as • whole is a success.

A house should also be economically constructed. It is a mistake to think that just because a building has an artistic outward appearance it must necessarily have cost extra. At the same time the experienced architect is planning for a striking exterior and convenient dqterior arrangements he will also see to it that the design is made to be as economical as possible when it comes tq be built. For instaice, in a two-story house, the story height will be such that 18 foot studding can be used in the outßide walls, and the bearing partitions which sustain the floor joists will be so placed that floor joists In even

length of feet can be used without waste. With too many builders who may be called on to draw up plans, these items, which mean a substantial saving in the cost, are frequently overlooked. In order to get a ceiling a few inches higher than the standard height when using 18 foot studding, they find it necessary to use 20 foot studding and have to cut off the ends, which means a waste of material as well as a waste of labor which might

have been saved by a. little forethought. It is always economical in the use of materials, and is also good construction, to have the partitions and girders in the basement exactly under the bearing partitions of the first story, and where possible the bearing partitions on the second floor should line up exactly with those of the first story. There is nothing like having a good backbone in a house in the way of bearing partitions by having them lined up straight from foundation to roof. The accompanying design serves as a good illustration of these principles. Although an extremely sensible and convenient house its exterior appearance is distinctive and artistic. It couldn’t be called fussy, yet there is enough of ornamentation to escape monotony. The proportions are good and the material used —cement plaster on metal lath—is the most popular at the present time for high-grade residence work. The interior is arranged very simply, the idea being for the maximum of roomy conveniences. There is a very large living room, of the kind so popular in modem houses. The dining room is of good size and is very conveniently placed with reference to the kitchen, having a butler’s pantry between. An open stairway along the back of the living room leads to the second floor. There are found two very large bedrooms, a liberal supply of clothes closets and a bathroom. This house, having a width of 25 feet and a length of 28 feet, is estimated to cost $3,000, using a good grade of hardwood flooring and finish and with the modem conveniences of plumbing, electric wiring, etc.

Second Floor Plan.

First Floor Plan.