The Bases of Design

by Walter Crane

HAZELFORD HALL, DERBYSHIRE.

To give a simple illustration of the principle. If the sill of a window, for instance, be left rectangular and perfectly level, the water would be likely to run inward through the window, or perhaps into the wall, but if sloped on the upper surface and hollowed beneath, the water would tend to drop from the under outer edge clear of both window and wall.

SECTION TO SHOW ACTION OF RAIN ON WINDOW SILLS: (1)PLAIN & MOULDED(2).

SECTION.
SQUARE-HEADED DRIPSTONE.

This necessity led to motives in design and ornamental effect, and mouldings became valuable parts of æsthetic expression in architecture, affording means of emphasis, of giving the effect of receding planes, and of using the important principle of recurring lines to which I called attention in the first chapter.

The barge-board, too, so picturesque a feature in old timbered houses, had the same useful purpose to subserve in keeping the weather from injuring roof and wall.

Staircases with the necessary handrail, again, have led to beautiful form in design, not only in the planning of the staircase itself, which is so important a feature in every house, but in the interesting and varied design in the balusters supporting the handrail, and in newel heads, etc.

THE TOWERS OF SAN GIMIGNANO.