REPORT OF THE ARCHITECTS. 131 



roof and a lantern, crowned by a decorated finial. This room is 77 feet 

 high on the side walls, or 108 feet to the top of the finial. 



Four naves, of <»5 feet in width and 117 feet in length, radiate from 

 the dome and extend to the outside walls of the building ; the naves 

 form in this manner a Greek cross, over the center of which the dome 

 rises, and part of the spaces in the exterior angles of the cross are fitted 

 up with halls of 65 feet square and of same height as the naves. 



The side walls of both naves and annexes are 42 feet high, while the 

 height to the ridge of the slate roofs is 56 feet. These roofs are in part 

 constructed double, for the purpose of so perfecting the drainage of the 

 roofs that accumulations of ice and snow can nowhere obstruct it. 



The spaces between the high walls of the Greek cross and the exte- 

 rior walls of the building are allotted mainly to eight halls of reduced 

 height, covered by lean-to metal roofs ; the extreme height of which is 32 

 feet. 



By this treatment wall spaces are obtained for the introduction of 

 clerestory windows, which light the square halls and assist in lighting 

 the naves. 



The four symmetrical exterior walls of the building are broken by 

 projections in the center and at the corners, and these have been amply 

 utilized for miscellaneous administrative purposes as stated above. 



A modernized Romanesque style of architecture was adopted for the 

 new building in order to keep up a relationship with the Smithsonian 

 building, which is designed in Norman, a variety of this style. To mod- 

 ernize this style was found necessary on account of the different build- 

 ing material, and to do justice to the purposes of the building with its 

 modern demands of perfect safety and elegance of construction, of great- 

 est possible available floor space, of easy communications, efficient 

 drainage, a well calculated and pleasing admission of light, free circu- 

 lation of air, and all other hygienic dicta. 



The externa] architecture is based upon the general arrangement of 

 the interior, and shows plainly the prominence of the four naves and 

 the careful management of the light for the central portion of the build- 

 ing. The main entrances are in the centers of each facade between 

 two lofty towers of SG feet height, which act as buttresses for the uaves. 

 Between the towers, and receding from the doorways, there are large 

 arched windows set with ornamented glass, and above those the gables 

 of the naves are formed ; they contain inscription-plates ami are crowned 

 by allegorical groups of statuary. The group over the northern gable, 

 designed by C. Buberl, of New York, already in position, introduces 

 Columbia as the protectress of science and industry. 



To both sides of these prominent central features there are curtain- 

 walls, 27 feet in height, which have the effect of arcades. 



Pavilions are placed at the corners; they are of less height than the 

 towers, but sufficiently raised above the curtain- walls to overcome the 



