Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/489

 1868.] Suggestions in Building Diceliing-Houses. 395 SUGGESTIONS IN BUILDING DWELLING-HOUSES. IN planning a dwelling for family occu- pancy, three prominent characteris- tics are to be kept in view : 1st. The size and arrangement of the house must be adapted to the comfort, and to the means of the famity. 2d. The climate is to be considered. 3d. In connection with climate, the material to be used in the construction. Keeping these in view, I shall make a few suggestions, for the consideration of families of moderate fortunes, who inay be planning country residences. 1st. That, but two apartments, besides the hall, the kitchen, and the offices, are required. These two, a dining-room and a par- lor, should be large, and adjoining, so as to communicate. This, for convenience and economy of fuel, in winter. Having determined on the size and proportions of these rooms, and the chambers over them, the next considera- tion will be the kitchen and domestic offices. These should each be planned sepa- rately, and then placed together, in such contiguity, as will best adapt them to the family requirements. The error, mostly committed, by those planning dwellings of moderate size, is, in first laving down the outline or outside of the house, and afterwards dividing it into apartments; the consequence of which is, that the rooms are likely to be reduced in size to make place for the pantries, closets and other offices. An ingenious architect will, after having determined on the number, size, and proportion of the apartments, ar- range them with proper regard, both to the convenience and the architectural beauty of the house. Domestic comfort should not be sacrificed for outside show. We have here in this country to en- counter a climate, which differs from that of most other countries. The ther- mometer ranges over more than 150° Fahrenheit, from summer to winter. That is, we have in winter, to contend against a temperature of more than ten degrees below C F., and in summer, of 140° F., in the sun. The architect has to protect the oc- cupants of his dwellings against the dangers and discomforts arising from these extremes ; to exclude heat in sum- mer and cold in winter. Whilst his walls, and doors, and windows, must exclude the rigors of an almost Arctic winter, they must equally provide against the pernicious dampness of our spring weather, and the sultriness of our summers. Double windows and double doors — with every conceivable pattern of weath- er-strip — are used, to close out the pen- etrating blasts of winter, then to be removed on the return of summer, to admit the breeze. The double windows, and double doors generally used, are unsightly and inconvenient. In place of them, I would suggest oriel and bay- windows. These, when property con- structed, so as to present three (3) open sides, each provided with sash and shut- ters, which may be opened and closed at will, afford protection from the summer sun, and, when opened, entrance to the breeze in our sultry season ; in the win- ter time, when provided with shutters and glass, so arranged, as to shut them off from the apartments, they are a much more effectual protection against the entrance of cold than any other window. Casement sash when they can be used, and when properly constructed, are the cheapest, and the most conducive to comfort, of all others. At the same time, while admitting free ventilation in summer, they exclude wind, rain and snow in winter. Lastly : As regards the material to be used, in the construction of the build-