230 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1903. 



SMITHSONIAN BUILDING. 

 DESCRIPTION. 



Exterior. — The building erected for the Smithsonian Institution, in 

 accordance with the design prepared b}^ Mr. James Ren wick, jr., 

 architect, of New York City, is in. the later Norman or, as it may with 

 more strict propriety be called, the Lombard style, as it prevailed in 

 Germany, Normand}", and southern Europe in the last half of the 

 twelfth centurj", the latest variety of the rounded style, as it is found 

 immediately anterior to the merging of that manner in the early 

 Gothic. In the general design and most of the details the architect 

 adhered to the period to which this style is referable. The general 

 feeling, however, which permeates the design, especially in the upper 

 towers, is that of a somewhat later era, when all lingering reminis- 

 cences of the post and lintel manner had been discarded and the ruling 

 principles of arch architecture were recognized and carried out. The 

 semicircular arch stilted is employed throughout in doors, windows, 

 and other openings. The windows are without elaborately traceried 

 heads. The buttresses are not a prominent feature and have no sur- 

 mounting pinnacles. The weather moldings consist of corbel courses, 

 with bold projection. The towers are of various shapes and sizes. 

 The main entrance on the north, sheltered by a carriage porch, is 

 between two towers of unequal height. 



In his description of the plan in Hints on Public Architecture, 

 Doctor Owen states: 



I am not acquainted with any actual example yet remaining from what has been 

 variously called the Lombard, the Norman, the Romanesque, and the Byzantine 

 school, with which the Smithsonian building will not favorably compare. In so far 

 as the architect has permitted himself to innovate upon ancient precedents from the 

 style in which he designed, he has done so, in my judgment, with discretion and 

 advantage. * * * I esteem myself fortunate in being able in this book to refer 

 to an actual example, at our seat of government, the architect of which seems to me 

 to have struck into the right road, to have made a step in advance, and to have 

 given us in his design not a little of what may be fitting and appropriate in any 

 manner (should the genius of our country hereafter work such out) that shall 

 deserve to be named as a national style of architecture for America. 



The design as originally carried out consisted of a main central 

 building, two stories high, and of two lateral wings of a single stor3\ 

 connected with the main building by intervening ranges, each of the 

 latter having a cloister, with open stone screen, on the north front. 

 The only important changes since made have been the reconstruction 

 of the east wing and range, which are now four and three stories 

 high, respectively, the closing in with stone of the western cloister 

 so as to adapt it to laboratory purposes, and the completion of the 

 lireproofing of the building. 



