172 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
[May, 
Contiguous Houses, Costing $1,000 each. 
BY t>. B. REED, ARCHITECT. CORONA, LONG ISLAND, N. T. 
These plans were originally prepared for six con¬ 
nected cottages, just completed, for Mr. Fred. 
Storms, (manufacturer), at Bayside, L. I. They 
use for the coarser work. Bins for coal are placed 
where they may be readily filled from the front 
window. One corner is partitioned oil for a bath¬ 
room and water-closet. The window to the latter 
is shielded by a latticed inclosure beneath the rear 
lobby, adding to its privacy. The rear area not be¬ 
ing protected by the rear stoop, has hatchway 
Fig. 1 . —FRONT ELEVATION OF ROW OF SIX HOUSES. 
were designed to give the largest amount of ac¬ 
commodation, convenience, and finish, possible, for 
one thousand dollars each, and are especially adapt¬ 
ed to rapidly filling localities, or manufacturing 
districts. By this system of building in blocks, a 
very large saving is made in materials and labor, at 
first, and little expense is required to keep them in 
order afterwards. Where desired, the introduction 
of gas, or water-pipes, may be made, from one to 
the other direct, at small cost. Such connected 
houses are really more comfortable than separate 
ones, as they protect each other at their sides from 
the extreme changes of the outward temperature; 
and are therefore warmer in winter, and cooler in 
summer. The site chosen in this case is elevated, 
and has a westward frontage, securing the impor¬ 
tant advantages of good drainage, and the admis¬ 
sion of direct sun-light to every room. 
_Exterior, (fig. 1).—Building in 
blocks is a favorite mode with many 
large owners of village property. The 
chief objection to a majority of such 
erections is their formal and stiff ap¬ 
pearance, arising from a monotonous 
uniformity, a repetition of parts, and 
the overpowering predominance of hori¬ 
zontal lines—partaking too much of the 
city-street style. To overcome such 
objections in this design, simple but 
effective irregularities were introduced, 
so that really no two dwellings are 
alike. The sky-lines are broken and 
varied; the main roofs have pedi- 
mented projections—with Mansard sec¬ 
tions intervening ; all horizontal lines 
are either shortened or omitted, leaving 
vertical ones to prevail, and the window 
openings are varied in their form and dis¬ 
tribution. While these several features 
doors to be used in stormy weather. The Stairs 
lead from near the front door, to the main hall of 
the first story_fl'Sr*#. (fig. 3).—Hight 
of ceilings 10 feet. A Hall, Parlor, and Living- 
room are embraced in the divisions. The hall is 
entered from a neat porch, contains the main stairs, 
and leads to the parlor, living-room, and the cellar 
stairs. The parlor is pleasantly arranged with 
double windows in front, has neat stucco cornices 
and centers, and a marble mantle. The chimney- 
breast is placed to allow sufficient space between it 
and the central partition, for a piano, or other large 
piece of furniture. The living-room is of good di¬ 
mensions and shape, has two windows, a closet, a 
large fire-place, and a sink. The door leading to 
the rear lobby has glass upper panels, admitting 
additional light in the room in pleasant weather, 
balance of the loose earth being used to fill more 
depressed grounds). All interior cross-walls of 
brick are omitted, their places being supplied with 
brick “ footings ” and framework. These brick 
footings are laid in trenches 4 inches below the 
cellar bottom, and are 8 inches high and wide. 
Sills of 4x6 timber are laid on the center of these 
footings (edgewise), leaving a 
margin of 2 inches on each side 
for the support of the ends of the 
cellar-floor beams. Girts are 
put above the sills (also of 4x6 
timber), anchored to, and level 
with the outer foundation walls, 
and are supported by studding 
and braces, thus forming an 
inexpensive and substantia] di¬ 
vision and bearing between the 
cellars. The principal frame is 
of regular sized sawed timber, 
thoroughly framed and braced. 
The sidings are of clear pine 
clapboards, laid on hard-rolled 
sheathing-felt. The upper roofs 
are covered with IC charcoal 
tin, “tern-plate,” and the 
Mansard sections are slated on 
hemlock boards. The interior 
flooring is of 7-inch milled 
spruce ; outside flooring of 4i- 
incli milled pine. To prevent 
the transmission of sound, all the main divisions of 
framework between the houses are deafened by 
a filling of pale brick and mortar. The cellar ceil¬ 
ings and side walls are white finished on one coat 
of brown mortar. All other plastering is hard-fin¬ 
ished on two coats of brown mortar. Circular ven¬ 
tilators are placed in each gable, and two ventila¬ 
tors made to resemble the chimney tops are placed 
on the higher or central ridge of the roof, to allow 
for the escape of heated air from beneath the roof¬ 
ing. All windows have ls-inch sash, of four lights 
each; those in the cellar are hung with butts; all 
above are balanced with iron weights, and have out¬ 
side blinds. The doors are first quality, four-panel- 
led. The interior casings are of clear pine, and are 
neatly moulded, and the parlor windows have 
panelled backs. The Paiuting is done as described 
Fig. 2.—PLAN OF CELLAR. 
are essential to the good appearance of such build¬ 
ings, giving them the pleasing elements of variety 
and picturesqueness,they do not add very materially 
to the cost. Cottages designed for simple dwell¬ 
ings, whether built apart or connected, should, as 
far as possible, preserve their identity as cottages, 
and if destined for undulating and picturesque sit¬ 
uations, should be outlined to accord with their 
surroundings- 1ntei ior.— The following des¬ 
cription of rooms has reference to the house at the 
extreme left; its relation with the adjoining one is 
shown by the dotted sketch at the side. All have 
equal accommodations; this and two others are 
similarly arranged, the remaining three have their 
sides reversed... .Cellar, (fig. 2.)—Hight of ceil¬ 
ings G« feet, It is thoroughly floored, has outside 
entrances front and rear, and being well out of 
ground, is light, apd airy, and is adapted to genera] 
when the lobby door will be likely to stand open, 
and through it the lobby will be lighted at night 
from within. The main stairs, leading to the sec¬ 
ond story, are of the “quarter-circle” pattern, and 
are neatly finished with hard-wood railing, with a 
niche above ...S»ecosi«l Siory, (fig. 4).—Hight 
of ceiling 9 feet. This story is divided into a small 
Hall, two Chambers; two Bedrooms, and three 
Closets. Each of the rooms is well lighted, and 
chimney-breasts, with marble shelves, and stucco 
trusses are finished in each chamber_ Con. 
slrnction, —The average depth of the excava¬ 
tions below the surface is three feet. The Founda¬ 
tion walls are of brick work, 8 inches thick, those 
for the exterior are 7 ft. 4 in. high, showing an av¬ 
erage of 4 ft. above the final grades, (In this par¬ 
ticular case, the site being elevated, only 4 inches 
of additional filling was required ip the grades, tie 
Fig. 4.— PLAN OF SECOND FLOOR. 
in the American Agriculturist for June, 1877, except 
that the blinds are of a chocolate color. 
Estimated cost of materials and labor: 
Mason’s materials and labor.$1,350.00 
Lumber of all kinds. 1,150.00 
Tinning and Slating, (complete). 300.00 
Rolled Lining, $30 ; Porches and Lobbies, $275 . 305.00 
Cornice materials, (prepared at mill). 120.00 
Sash, Doors, and Blinds. 100.00 
Stairs, with outside Steps, with Railings. 500.00 
Shelving and Sundries. 325.00 
Nails, $05; Hardware, $300 . 305.00 
Painting, $300 ; Cartage, $85 . 385.00 
Carpenter's labor, (not included above). 800.00 
Total cost of Six Dwellings...$6,000.00 
Mr. Storms added about $1,000 to the total cost 
of six buildings in plumbing, 6ewers, gas-pipes, 
and in fencing separate front and rear yards, to 
each house, As these improvements are not gen¬ 
erally required, they gre omitted in the estimate, 
