Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 162, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 July 1911 — The American Home [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The American Home

WLLIAM A. RADFORD

Editor*

Mr. William A. Radford will answer CfLdStions 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 all these subjects. Address all inquiries to William A. Radford, No. 178 West Jackson boulevard, Chicago, Hl., and only enclose two-cent stamp for reply.

We will all agree that the bungalow marks a great improvement in summer resort architecture. As a summer cottage, whether located in the mountains, on the edge of a forest or by a lake or river, the graceful, informal lines of the bungalow seem to adapt themselves ideally to their environment When contrasted with the old-time, box-like, jig-saw ornamented affairs that were known as summer cottages, the improvement is very apparent Commenting on this matter, the well known architect, Wilson Eyre, brings out some valuable points in a recent number of “Country Life in America.” His contention is that the bungalow fad is carrying us to architectural extremes that are not good fot* domestic architecture in general.

As a style for general suburban use the bungalow appears to be misused and is generally objectionable when so used. As already mentioned, It has its place and purpose; first as a weekend or summer retreat it forms an ideal contrast to our more pretentious, over-luxurious dwellings; second, it Is a harmonious building for an Informal location; third, when an inexpensive structure is desired the bungalow offers the maximum coihfort and beauty for the minimum cost Because the bungalow is so widely misused and misunderstood, it may be well to try to answer the question, What is a bungalow? and to analyze

its real purpose in the general scheme of American home building. The term bungalow is one which is variously applied to rustic camps, to one-story seaside cottages, low, broad, extended lines with a low pitch to the roof. It is not, however, properly used when applied, as is so often done, to houses having living rooms in the second story. This authority does not believe in general in the one-story house for an all-year dwelling, It is a fad which, like mission furniture, is being much overdone. It is supposed to .be the up-to-date fashion in many localities; but as with many so-called fashions, there is little reasonable excuse for its prevalence. Like many fads it is bound to run its course, and there is nothing so dismally out'of place as a fad that has ceased to be. There is another fact regarding the bungalow which has become current end that is that a one-story house is

cheaper to build, and in other ways more economical than a two-story house. The increased expanse of floors and roof counterbalance, how ever, the low expanse of the walls. Plumbing and lighting are but little cheaper. If any, and because the structure is spread out It Is not as easy to heat as its advocates would have us believe. Moreover, the bungalow takes up more ground than a two-

story house' of the same number of rooms, which is a matter for consideration while land is costly and building lots small. In India the bungalow proved to be the best solution of the heat problem; not because a low, broad roof produces a cool house by any means, but because the wide overhang of the eaves broke the glare of the intense sunshine. Bungalow rooms are not likely to be as cool as the first floor rooms of a well-ventilated two-story house. • Doubtless there is a reason for the popularity of the bungalow style in southern California and Florida. It is always summer there. Yet this authority believes that the residents of Pasadena and Los Angeles are not quite on the tight track when they build whole streets of low, broad, heavy-eaved affairs that are just now “in fashion.” However, he has a good word to say for the bungalow when it is in its right place. To his mind the bungalow should be not only a one-storf house, but a very simple, informal one-story house. It is 1 a style for the woods and the seaside, for the place where rest and not luxury are sought It should be free from architectural embellishments, simply furnished, adapted to hot weather. For these purposes the bungalow is a vast improvement over the average log camp or the usual jigsaw cottage of the seaside resort It is graceful in line and suggests comfort.' Because' it is intended to be informal, it does not demand expensive construction or finish. If one has only a small amount of money to spend, One can undoubtedly secure greater grace and beauty of outline by placing all the rooms on one floor, than by piling them up on

top of each other. A five-room twostory house built for $1,500 or $2,000 must necessarily be a plain, uncompromising. cubical box. If these same five rooms were to be grouped on - one floor the unpleasant square proportions are avoided, the angle of the roof becomes more pleasing and the whole effect more graceful, with no additional cost. A very good illustration of what is meant by this is shown in the accompanying perspective and plan. This is a five-room cottage, 30 feet six inches long. It has been successfully built for $2,000. It is appropriate not only for summer cottage use, but, also for rural or suburban site where a small, homelike dwelling Is desired for use the year round. It has just a suggestion of the bungalow style, just enough to give it attractiveness without making it look out of place.

Floor Plan.