NATIONAL MUSEUM BUILDINGS. 297 



one on each side and two at the north, will connect the three ends of 

 the T or main sections sous to inclose two lar^e open courts (each 12S 

 feet square), and thus complete tiie (piadrangle. The two south sec- 

 tions, which, with the rotunda, comprise the front part of the build- 

 ino-. will project slightly at each end beyond the w^alls of the side 

 ranges. 



The new^ structure will he located on the north side of the Mall, in 

 the so-called Smithsonian Park, about midway between Ninth and 

 Twelfth streets, directly in front of the Smithsonian building, and with 

 its center, like that of the latter, on the axis of Tenth street. While 

 the main front and enti'ance wdll face southward, or toward the mid- 

 dle of the park, there will also be a commodious entrance by wa^- of 

 the basement on the north, as an approach from Tenth street. The 

 northern fayade will be about 78 feet from the sidewalk of B street 

 north, while the central projection thereof, containing the entrance, 

 will reach about 25 feet nearer to the street. 



As the land rises rapidl}^ southward from B street, it has been 

 planned to have the basement floor slightl}' above the le\'el of that 

 street, but at the south the top of the basement will be nearly on a 

 level with the ground, Suita})le embankments will be built along the 

 sides of the building, inclosing a Inroad area, Avhich will also extend 

 along the south front, thus making the basement equivalent to a full 

 story for at least workroom, lalioratory, storage, and heating purposes. 

 Its height will be 14 feet. 



The first and second stories, intended for the public, will be 20 feet 

 and 19 feet .5 inches high, respectivelv. The windows will measure 11 

 feet 9 inches high in the tirst and 12 feet high in the second, the cor- 

 responding ones in the two stories occupying the same embrasure, 

 though separated by ornamental metal work. These window^s will be 

 about Hi feet wide, and the intervening wall space about 7 feet wide, 

 giving a unit for the installation of exhibits of 18 feet 6 inches. 



The third story will ])e 12 feet in height, with windows aljout 7 feet 

 high l)y 5 feet 3 inches wide, thus furnishing am])le light for all the 

 requirements of the laboratories and storerooms. In the three main 

 sections of the building thiu'e will be still another low story a])ove the 

 last, suitable for the storage of dried specimens. 



The relativeh' small amount appropriated for this large building 

 has demanded simplicity of design and the omission of all extrava- 

 gant decoration. The lines and proportions have been so well phvnned, 

 however, that the structure can not fail to be onv of great dignity 

 and beauty and a worthy addition to the public buildings in Wash- 

 ington. The granite will be laid in ashlar courses, but the entrances 

 will be worked up with a certain amount of elaborateness. A metal 

 dome, with skylight, will cover the rotunda, and there will also besky- 

 iijihts a'vono- the main roofs for liiihtino- the laroe halls. 



