The cost of this building, everything complete, was $4,750.
DESIGN XXXV.
A HOUSE COSTING $4,000.
These plans were designed for a suburban residence, to take the place of one recently destroyed by fire. The original structure was cubiform in outline, resembling a huge box; with unbroken facades, and flat roof, destitute of beauty, and in strange contrast with the tasteful surroundings. The owner desired to use the old foundations, still in fair condition, without disturbing the grounds, underlying pipes, etc., and thus retain the nearly square ground plan, but a building with an exterior agreeing with the surroundings. While the main object in presenting this design is to show that the ground plans do not necessarily determine the style of exterior dress, its general arrangement and character will be found to deserve favorable consideration.... Elevation, ([fig. 150].)—There is a constant demand for “Mansard Roofs,” arising from an aspiration for structures signifying originality and progressiveness. The animated features of this style accord with activity, rather than of retirement, and adapt it to prominent situations, skirting the more public thoroughfares. The objections to such roofs result from their frequent misapplication. They are manifestly inappropriate for retired or secluded situations, or for persons of purely domestic tastes. They also lose their identity and expressiveness when duplicated in close and continuous proximity, as is often done in towns. But this is true of any other style. Variety is the spice of architecture.... Cellar, ([fig. 151].)—Hight of 8 feet in clear. It has an outside rear entrance, is well lighted, and contains ample space for the furnace, and divisions for coal, vegetables, etc.... First Story, ([fig. 152].)—Hight of ceilings, 10 feet. The accommodations are conveniently arranged, and sufficient for a large family. The main entrance from the piazza is through large double doors and a vestibule. The Hall is central and spacious, communicating with the principal rooms, and rear entry, and contains the main stairs, which are unusually wide and easy. The Parlor and Library, divided by large sliding doors, can be used separately, or together as one spacious room when desired. The Dining-room and Kitchen adjoin, and have the necessary pantries, range, pump, sink, and stationary wash-tubs, with cold and hot water. A Conservatory is entered from the dining-room through double sash doors, adding a cheerful feature to this apartment, where the family spend much of their time. The rear may be reached from the dining-room in three ways—by the main hall and rear entry, or through the kitchen, or most pleasantly through the conservatory.... Second Story, ([fig. 153].)—Hight of ceilings 9 feet. The divisions include a hall, four large chambers with closets to each, a front hall bed-room, and a bath-room. Each of the chambers has windows in two sides, giving opportunity for plentiful light and fresh air. The clear width of the room sections, (5 yards each), favors the economical cutting of carpets. The main stairs are made continuous to the attic story. The Bath-room is furnished with a bath-tub, wash-bowl, and seat-closet, and with cold and hot water.... Construction.—The foundations, stone-sills, area stoops, framing, inclosing, flooring, plastering, and painting, are similar to those described for [Design XIII.] Care should be taken in covering the roofs, as the materials used (wood, tin, and slate), are entirely foreign to each other, and can only be placed in contact, and indirectly united. The wood should be thoroughly seasoned, to prevent a future disturbance of the exterior covering. All flashings along the sides of the dormers and other uprights should be 10 inches wide, and double painted before being used. The conservatory is not floored, but is filled in with earth level with the foundation walls. A walk is laid through the center, of 1⅛ × 4-inch slats, and the remaining space is devoted to plants. A furnace is placed in the cellar, with pipes to convey warm air to the principal rooms and halls of both stories, and to the conservatory. The pipes and register boxes for conveying warm air to the second story, are placed in the chimneys while building them. There are open fire-places in the principal rooms, with marble mantles in the first story, and marble shelves in the chambers. Stucco cornices and centers, of appropriate patterns, are put in the principal rooms and hall of the first story. A hall and stairway leading to the tower, is completed in the Attic, the other portions of the third story are unfinished, but may be converted into pleasant rooms for school purposes, or chambers, as desired.
Estimate, Cost of materials and labor:
Fig. 150.—ELEVATION OF FRONT OF HOUSE.
Fig. 151.—PLAN OF CELLAR.