Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/280

 236 Sloan's Architectural Review and Builders' Journal. [October, DESCRIPTIONS. DESIGN FOR A CITY STORE. Style: Franco -Venetian. WE give here, by way of illustra- tion, a Design for a City Store, the prevailing characteristics of which partake of the Venetian style of archi- tecture, characterized by its pre-eminent lightness, fitness, and, more especially, by the close proximity of the windows, and the large proportion of the eleva- tion occupied by apertures. One of the main points in which Italian architect- ure differs from any other, is its predi- lection for fenestration, or the introduc- tion of windows, so as to form a marked feature in the design. For the purposes of a store, wherein light is an indispensable object, this peculiarity is of special importance. In some buildings of such style, this trait is carried to an extreme, so that, with the-windows and the external embellish- ments, there is but little space left for the mere walls. Fenestration is, in some degree, ir- reconcilable with columniation, as the former either interferes with the effect intended to be produced by the latter, or reduces it to a secondary place in the design. Used as a means of ornament, columniation united with fenestration has been employed, however, by the Italians, in many of their most beautiful edifices, with striking and very advan- tageous effect. In the scheme before us, the two have been so combined, one as an accessory to the other ; and the object aimed at has been to produce an edifice possessing elegance and taste. This front is intended for a Retail Store ; and from its novelty, lightness, and grace, would contrast most favora- bly with the generality of such struc- tures, and form an ornament to our streets. It is, as will be seen, four sto- ries high, with a French roof in which is an attic story. The most striking peculiarities of this design are the large front windows that extend the full height of the first and second stories for the purpose of allow- ing a greater display of goods to be made, giving a larger scope to the taste of the owner, in this respect, than is obtainable in the comparatively smaller space usually allowed in the present mode of constructing store windows. Thejr are enclosed, above and below, on the inside with glass ; and so arranged as to be accessible from both the first and second floors, for which purpose the joists are trimmed round, and thus a clear height is obtained. In the centre, is the entrance door, furnished with a vestibule, the height of the first story ; and the joists of the second floor will extend out to the front, giving access to the window, which is immediately over the portal, and opens directly into the second story, forming a gallery the depth thereof, in order to give greater advantages for the display and arrange- ment of the interior fitting-up and deco- rations. Before this window is an orna- mental iron balcony, which gives a character to the door and front. The different stories are divided by promi- nent and highly moulded string-courses, through which the columniation is con- tinued. In the third story, there are in front, with segment heads, two twin-windows, flanking a single one, with semi-circular head, between them, the latter having a