DOMESTIC ARCHITECTURE OF TO-DAY. 5 



architecture it would have hail no vitality, and would have deservedly died out long .ago. But it 

 has been a real attempt to grapple with the requirements of modern life. Of course, it was hardly 

 to be expected that it should have been wholly free from extravagances and affectations. We 

 have-, pel haps, used the farmhouse motif beyond its proper limits For a house of moderate si/.e. 

 and for people of simple habits, it is, of course, legitimate ; but it is a common-place of house 

 building that, as far as possible, the wishes and requirements of those who are going to live in the 

 house should be met. I say &quot;as far as possible&quot; because people s wishes arc sunn-times rather 

 chaotic, and an architect lias occasionally to invent their requirements for them. But, speaking generally, 

 we may sav that domestic architecture will progress more naturally and soundly if the architect honestly 

 laces the often difficult problems set him, instead of enforcing his own individual views. The ordinary 

 man who wants a plain, simple house, with well-lighted rooms, carpeted floors and all that goes to Un 

 making of a comfortable home, is rather hardly used when lie finds that lie has to sit in a sort of low, 

 farmhouse kitchen, with a gritting floor and a reluctant log tire. And yet, if the architect has dude-, to 

 his employer, the employer no less has duties to his architect. A certain give-and-take is necessary. 

 1 he architect, with his experience, should be left full freedom in details. But if the employer has definite 

 views as to the way in which he wants to live, it is no part of the architect s duty to tell him that he is 

 mistaken. Perhaps he will like many rooms, one, for every part of the business of life, or lie may preler 

 one big room for general family use. That is his business ; but it is the architect s business to make a whole 

 of these units. Some wholly incongruous teat lire is often introduced and insisted on alter the general 

 scheme is complete and the work begun, and the result is deplorable ; whereas if a point had been made 

 of it at first, the architect would have had a chance of making it the pivot on which the whole of his 

 design turned. 



But, on the whole and this is the most encouraging point about the present position in domestic 

 architecture -the real progress made has been the result of interaction between architect and client. It 

 has been a real attempt to solve new problems. Practical needs, instead of being ignored or overlooked, 

 have brought about new types of plans. Considerations of aspect have settled the position and sequenee 

 of rooms. The materials available for building in different parts of the country have impoM-d limitations, 

 and suggested certain methods of using them. The proper lighting and most convenient arrangement 

 of domestic offices ; the position of fireplaces ; the disposition of beds and other furniture all t [un 

 practical problems are of the essence of any scheme for the planning of a house, and each in its turn, when 

 successfully solved, has helped towards the realisation of the vision which is always enticing 11- to further 

 efforts, the ideal house which everyone wants a house compact but spacious, noiseless, light, airy and 

 cheerful, cool in summer and warm in winter, well ventilated but free from draughts, a house that costs 

 little to build and less to keep in repair, yet &quot; built for eternity &quot; and comely and pleasant to look upc:n. 



KKNF.ST NEWTON, A.K.A. 



