DESIGN XXXIII.
A BRICK HOUSE COSTING $4,000.
This plan was designed for the residence of Dr. Samuel McClure, of Olney, Ill. The style and general characteristics are significant of elegance and comfort, and suggest its adaptation to suburban, rather than the more rural situations.... Elevation, ([fig. 143].)—There is a peculiar compactness in the outlines of the principal building, while the piazza and tower contribute largely to the symmetry and gracefulness of the entire structure. The general details of the exterior are quite simple in themselves, and are so proportioned and arranged as to adapt them to each other with artistic effect, and to produce marked features of unity and completeness.... First Story, ([fig. 144].)—Hight of ceiling, 11 feet. The general divisions and arrangements are simple and practical. The principal entrance from the piazza is through outside and vestibule doors. The outside doors are made in pairs, with solid panels heavily moulded on the face. The vestibule doors are of similar construction, except that their upper panels are of glass. There is a seeming extravagance in such “vestibules,” or duplication of doors, at the entrance of any dwelling, and they may be regarded as a luxury rather than a necessity, and would be superfluous and inappropriate in the ordinary cottage or farm-house; but in residences of this character, where there is abundant space, such vestibules are manifestly proper, adding a feature of elaborateness, and providing for many contingencies of times and seasons. The outside, or storm-doors, afford protection against extreme cold and severe storms, and furnish additional security. The vestibule, or “glass” doors, admit an abundance of cheerful light to the hall. The Main Hall is roomy, and contains the principal stairs, which are of platform construction, are wide, and have hard-wood rail, balusters, and newel. The Parlor and Dining-room adjoin the hall through large double doors. The parlor and bed-room are separated by sliding doors. The Bed-room has doors leading to the principal hall and to the bath-room, which has a wash-basin and water-closet. The Kitchen is supplied with a range, with elevated oven and a water-back; a 30-gallon copper boiler, a sink with closet underneath, a pump, and stationary wash-tubs in three divisions, and it connects through doors with the dining-room, rear lobby, cellar-stairway, a large pantry, and a dish-closet. The Rear Lobby is arranged to connect with the rear entrance, kitchen, bath-room, and principal hall. The Bath-room contains a tank, with a capacity for four hogsheads of water (placed near the ceiling), bath-tub, washstand, and seat-closet. Lead pipes necessary for the supply and distribution of cold and hot water, are provided in the kitchen and bath-room. Marble mantles are provided for the principal rooms of this story, at an average cost of $25 each. Double architraves are intended for the trimmings of the windows and doors in the principal apartments, and neat chair-backs are provided for the dining-room and kitchen.... Second Story ([fig. 145].)—By the peculiar method of constructing the roof and frame-work, it will be found that the inside walls of this story are vertical or plumb, instead of angling as in the usual Mansard roof. The ceiling is 9 feet high. This story has a hall, four large and one small rooms, five closets, and a stairway to the tower. Each of the four large chambers have marble shelves resting on plaster trusses, as described in [Design XXXII.] Single architraves are intended for the trimming of this story.... Construction of the Walls and Roof.—The excavations are made 1½ foot deep, and the earth thrown out is used in grading around the house at completion, raising the surrounding surface 1 foot. The foundation and cross-walls ([fig. 146]) are 6½ feet high. The principal walls resting on the foundation are 14 feet 3 inches high, and the walls of the tower extend 11 feet 6 inches above the principal walls. The walls inclosing the wing in the rear are 10 feet high; all of hard burned brick and good mortar. The exterior walls of the foundation are 12 inches thick, and all other walls are 8 inches thick, and have heading courses every 2 feet. The bottom courses of the exterior foundation, to the hight of 2½ feet, are laid in mortar composed of hydraulic cement and sharp sand, to prevent the absorption of dampness from the earth; all other mortar is composed of lime and sand. All exterior surfaces of brick-work that are exposed to view have “flush-joints,” and those intended for painting should be rubbed smooth. All windows for the cellar and first story have sills of dressed stone, and have heads neatly arched of brick-work. The window-caps for the first story windows are laid of brick, as shown in sketch, ([fig. 147]). These caps are easily executed while constructing the walls, and are quite ornamental; the figures on the sketch denote the distances or projections of the several parts beyond the face of the wall.... Plates of 3 × 8 timber are laid flatwise on top of the brick walls, and the upper or roof framework is added as shown in section, ([fig. 148]): A, foundation, 12 inches thick; B, principal wall, 8 inches thick; C, C, tower walls; D, D, tower posts, 4 × 6 inches, adjoining the upper portion of tower walls, and forming a part of the tower; E, E, principal plates, 3 × 8 laid on brick work; F, tie, 3 × 8, resting on 2 × 4 studding, placed inside the wall, and nailed to the principal plates; G, G, rafters sawed to pattern, the lower end projects one inch beyond the face of the wall. H, ceiling timbers resting on the ties. The remaining framework will be readily understood. The roofs are inclosed with rough hemlock boards of even thickness, and thoroughly nailed to the rafters—and lastly covered with IC. charcoal tin. The method of laying the tin on the upright or Mansard part of the roof, is known in the trade as the “raised groove” plan, in which all the vertical joints of the tin are raised and folded, leaving an elevated seam or ridge, which stiffens the general surface, and adds to the picturesqueness of this form of roof, without increasing its cost. The balance of the tinning is laid with the ordinary lock-joint and soldered. Gas pipes are inserted in the framework so as to be concealed, except where they appear for attachments for 4 ceiling lights, and 4 side lights in the first story; for 8 side lights in the second story; for 1 ceiling light in the tower, and for 1 side light in the cellar. Ample opportunities for a thorough Ventilation are provided for in this plan. It will be seen that the four large rooms have windows in two of their sides, affording the most certain and satisfactory means of ventilation known.—Flues are also provided adjoining each room in which registers are put, for use in the more severe weather. Provision is made for the escape of the air from between the ceiling of the second story and the roof.—Five strong tin 4-inch tubes, with funnel covers, are inserted in the deck of the principal roof; four of them are placed 3 feet behind the chimneys, and one near the rear, connecting with a flattened tube leading directly from the bath-room.... The following ESTIMATE of the quantities of materials and labor, of their several kinds, and their cost, embraces everything necessary to the completion of the house, excepting the appliances for heating, which may consist of a furnace, fire-place heaters, or open grates, as shall be best adapted to the location. In this vicinity, where hard coal is the chief fuel, we would suggest a furnace, placed in the cellar, with large pipes arranged to convey warm air to the different parts of the house. In localities where bituminous coal is used, the open grate gives good results, and is exceedingly cheerful in appearance. There are ranges and parlor stoves constructed to burn soft coal successfully, and it is undoubtedly possible that heating furnaces may be adapted to the use of the same fuel.
Estimate of Cost:
Fig. 143.—ELEVATION OF HOUSE.
Fig. 144.—PLAN OF FIRST FLOOR.
Fig. 145.—PLAN OF SECOND FLOOR.