Page:An Encyclopædia of Cottage, Farm, and Villa Architecture and Furniture.djvu/1136

 lli'^ COTTAGE, FARM, AND VILLA ARCHITECTURE. Hence edifices in which the greatest symmetry exists are invariably (other circumstances being the same) of the least cost ; and hence, also, simplicity and regularity in the general plan and its parts are always conducive to economy." (G wilt's Jiudimetits of Architecture, p. 6.) Though this knowledge can never enable an architectural critic to discover whether the Architect has solved the problem of erecting the desired build- ing for the given sum ; yet it will enable him to judge, from external appearanccrs, of the comparative expense of buildings. He may also deduce from it this rule ; viz., that, when economy is the main object, the parallelogram form should never be preferred to that of the cube, except in those cases in which the diameter of the cube would be so great, as to prevent the proper admission of light and ventilation to the interior parts. Chap. II. Of the Expression of the End in View, in Architecture. 2195. The Expression of the End in View comprehends the expression of the use for which the building was erected, and the expression of a suitable construction for that end. Every building should appear to be what it is, and every part of an edifice x)ught to indicate externally its particular use. When we are satisfied that we have discovered the use of any building, or the intentions of the Architect in this respect, the next thing which we enquire is, how far he has succeeded in carrying his intentions into effect ; that is, whether the expression of the construction which he has adopted is in accordance with the expression of the use. To give a familiar example : suppose a building, the expression of which was that of a stable, and that the entrance to it was up steps. In this ease, the expression of construction would be decidedly at variance with that of use. 2196. That which constittites the Expression of Use or Purpose, in the Exterior of a Building, must be some quality which we have been accustomed to associate with that use or purpose. It follows, therefore, that all the various uses of buildings and their different parts must be understood by the critic, before he can judge whether the uses of those parts are properly expressed. As this is equally as impossible, with respect to all buildings, as that an architectural critic should always understand what constitutes fitness for the end in view ; it follows, that his judgment in this particular, as in various others, must often be imperfect. Every one has some idea of what constitutes expression of purpose, in the common dwelling-houses of the country in which he lives ; but no person, who was not either an agricultural Architect, or familiar with agricultural buildings, could recognise the expression of purpose in the separate buildings of a farmery ; nor could any one who was not well acquainted with the appearance of manufactories, or was not a constructor of them or of their machinery, expect to do this with reference to the buildings in which manufactures are carried on. Still, the architectural critic may acquire sufllcient information on the general uses of all the classes of buildings con- structed in the country in which he lives, or described in books, to enable him to judge of their general expression. 2197. The Expression of Suitableness of Constructio7i supposes a knowledge of what constitutes strength and durability in buildings ; a kind of knowledge which, as we have already observed, is much more within the power of either Architects, or architectural critics, than a knowledge of the uses of buildings. In illustration of these two prin- ciples, we shall subjoin a few remarks. 2198. In Dwelling-houses, the expression of use is indicated, in a decided manner, in all cold countries, by their having a number of chimney tops, or other outlets, for permitting the escape of smoke from separate fires. In all countries whatever, a dwell- ing-house is indicated by its windows, and by their being filled in with glass, more or less, according to the nature of the climate and the character of the dwelling. A dwelling- house is also known by its entrance door, which is generally ascended to by steps ; a proof that it is not a door for any of the inferior animals, or for taking in and out heavy articles in use in agricidture, trade, or manufactures. These are general features of expression, of which there are many shades ; but there are also a number of particular features, indicative of the different apartments contained in the house, and of the style of living of the occupants. In a cottage of the smallest size, having a living-room, a bed-room, and a closet, the windows to each of these will be of different dimensions ; the largest window will at once be recognised as that lighting the living-room, and the smallest as that belonging to the closet. In dwellings of larger dimensions, the windows of the different living-rooms will or should be formed, not only larger than the others, but occupying what, in the given coimtry and locality, is considered the principal fioor of the house. Large windows, with considerable space on each side