Research Buildings 



187 



removed to provide the requisite space. Because of the topography and the desirabiUty 

 of easy approacli to the main building, a considerable amount of grading was necessary. 

 About 5,000 cubic yards of earth were moved in the preliminary grading and in the con- 

 struction of the roadv,-ay into the grounds. On May 1, 191.3, the contractor began the 

 building operations. 



MAIN BUILDING (HEADQUARTERS AND LABORATORY). 



After careful consideration, the location of the main building on the acquired tract 

 was chosen, as shown on Figure 1. The selection was governed partly by the requirement 

 that this main building, in the construction of which considerable iron would enter, be 

 sufficiently removed from the magnetic observatory so as not to cause serious disturbing 

 effects. A sufficient area for other proposed experimental work also had to be allowed for. 



tuEVATlOn iN FEET 



Fiii. 1. Plan of Grounds and Contour Lines. 



A. Main building. 



B. Standardizing Magnetic Observatory. 



C. Accessory buildings. 



Before employing an architect a careful investigation was made of the requirements 

 for the building, and preliminary drawings were made. The plans of twelve recently con- 

 structed physical laboratories were carefully studied, blue prints, specifications, and other 

 necessary information having been courteously supplied by the various directors, to whom 

 we wish to acknowledge our indebtedness. A detailed study was also made of the labora- 

 tories and research buildings constructed by other Departments of the Carnegie Institution 

 of Washington: the office and shop of the Mount Wilson Solar Observatory at Pasadena, 

 California; the laboratory of the Department of Experimental Evolution at Cold Spring 

 Harbor, New York; the Nutrition Laboratory at Boston, Massachusetts; and the Geophysi- 

 cal Laboratory' at Washington, D. C. 



Upon the completion of these preliminary studies, it was possible to submit to a pro- 

 fessional architect definite ideas and fairly complete sketches. Mr. Waddy B. Wood, of 

 Washington, D. C, in view of his experience in the designing and building of two of the 



