Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/914

 744 The Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal. [June, and that certain crispness necessary to the proper effect, particularly of carved work, requires the experienced foundry- man in this class of castings. An archi- tectural and a practical education are both essential to guide and direct a creditable execution. Between the iron fronts of to-day and those erected ten 3'ears ago, there is a perceptible im- provement. The artistic working up of the material is better understood and enlarged ideas of proportion and bold- ness are displayed. In capitals for ex- ample : those first made were strictly in accordance with authorities given in architectural publications. These au- thorities gave stated heights of columns for their diameters. A twelve inch diameter column should be about ten diameters high, (ten feet.) Practically twelve inch columns for building purposes were required about fifteen feet high. The capitals, however, were made without reference to the st:etch in length of the column. By and by it was seen that these capitals were squatty in appearance, like a tall man wearing a low hat. The capitals were then lengthened andy in addition a greater projection given. This treat- ment was followed on bases, and cor- nices, &c, until now boldness in every part is carefully sought after. Of the present great manufacturers of building iron work, all have executed past con- tracts which they know reflect no credit, and which they would gladly alter and xe-arrange if they could. In these manufactories are thousands of patterns condemned as out of date, and business pride and reputation prevents their use. When architects' scale drawings are furnished, whereby to execute work, full liberty and license is taken to give eveythinga modern appearance. There is very little disposition evinced to con- tract outlines for the sake of saving metal, the desire is rather to give the best of their respective kinds. The prices of stone, in consequence of a continuous advance in labor, is doinsr wonders for iron. In New York there are under contract several entire blocks of dwelling houses with iron ashlar fronts in place of stone. This iron ashlar is a mere skill in rusticated courses, bolted together and anchored to the brick wall, which latter is of the same thick- ness as in the case of brick backing to stone. The window openings have sills and lintels of a character similar to stone. This kind of treatment in iron costs less than one-half of the same in stone, and is cheaper than Philadelphia pressed brick with moulded stone trim- mings, for fronts of houses. For this innovation the eight hour men in part have to answer, but even they cannot stajr the progress of iron. A system of building has been lately brought out which looks to the entire exclusion of brick work. It consists of a series of hollow cast-iron box columns, placed about eighteen feet apart on a line with the depth of the building. On top of the columns, rest wrought-iron cross-girders for sustaining the floor beams. Column over column with stir- ders extend to the height of the struc- ture. Between the columns are hori- zontal and vertical bars, on which are bolted cast-iron plates of such a char- acter as to receive and retain the plaster which is spread directly upon them. These iron walls occupy far less space than brick, are economical in construc- tion, incombustible, and able to resist an earthquake shock. The use of iron in buildings has increased enormously within the past few years, and that it will increase in a greater ratio in the coming years, there can be no doubt. New ideas will push the work on in the march of improve- ment, from its present stand-point. The uses and requirements and values of buildings are changing every da}', and iron in its architectural application is to fulfil future requirements, such as in the past it has but limitedly supplied.