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AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



June, 1908 



Private Automobile Garages 



By Benjamin A. Howes 



IVEN the automobile, the 

 question immediately pre- 

 sents itself how it shall be 

 taken care of. Many 

 private garages have al- 

 ready been built, of hand- 

 some and economical con- 

 struction, and using these as a basis I shall 

 attempt to cover the main problems of con- 

 struction and design. 



It is generally considered desirable that 

 the chauffeur be housed in connection with 

 the machine which he operates, thus giving 

 him at once a protective watchfulness over 

 it and easy access to it at all times. 



The chauffeur's quarters are largely a 

 matter of special design for the special 

 needs, and range from a simple sleeping- 

 room to a suite of three or four rooms and 

 bath for one chauffeur and his family, or a 

 series of rooms to provide for several 

 chauffeurs. The placing of living quarters 

 in connection with the garage is desirable, 

 as it insures the proper operation of a heating plant, which 

 may heat the living quarters at the same time as the garage. 

 In the preliminary design of a garage, having settled the 

 extent of living quarters, a decision should then be arrived at 

 as to the number of machines to be stored, locker space re- 

 quired, location of wash stand and pit, the methods of light- 

 ing, and the arrangement of power-driven tools, if any are 

 to be provided. Due consideration should also be given as 

 to whether it is desirable to house all machines in one room 

 or to provide a separate stall for each. 



Garage Design in Harmony with the House 



A large modern automobile requires as a minimum space 

 seven feet by sixteen feet by nine feet high, and it is generally 

 in the interest of economy to provide somewhat in excess of 

 these figures, especially as the increasing size of wheels 

 promises to increase the extreme height. Ample head room 

 should be provided in the garage, not only to allow of the 

 lifting of bodies, engine parts, etc., from the machine, but 

 also to allow smoke and vapors to rise clear above the line 

 of vision. 



Good ventilation should likewise be arranged for. 



A Large Garage Is an Indispensable Building on a Large Estate 



