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An Interesting Application of Swiss Architecture 
for American Use 
By Charles Alma Byers 
(CMe 
y HAT the American architects borrow sug- 
gestions from the architecture of nearly 
every country and every period is a fact 
that has been admitted for a long time. 
Were the architectural styles adopted in 
their entirety our architects could only 
claim commendation for showing good 
taste, but that does not constitute the extent of their serv- 
ice. They have learned sometimes to adopt styles merely 
aS suggestions, and then to convert such suggestions into 
creations so diversified ir character as to seem almost orig- 
inal. It has been said that America has no architectural 
style of its own, just as it has been claimed that we have 
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no school of individuality in art, but since it is so difficult 
to trace the various recognized styles of architecture to 
their real and undisputed origins the intended accusation 
can be easily forgiven. It should be sufficient satisfaction 
to realize that from borrowed suggestions the architects 
of this country have created styles, possibly a score of 
them, that unquestionably belong more to America than 
to any other country, even though they retain more or less 
of their foreign prototypes’ characteristics. 
The very attractive house illustrated by the accompany- 
ing photographs and floor plans represents an American- 
ized interpretation of the Swiss chalet. The style in its 
interpretation, however, has undergone many changes— 
The characteristics of the Swiss chalet are revealed in this house 
