A Gill house is absolutely devoid of any ornamentation save that which is given by vines. Its beauty comes from composition in mass, yet the idea of utility is every¬ 
where realized. It is interesting to note how the profile of the house fits into that of the landscape 
Creating an American Style of Architecture 
Arcades represent an individual development; 
not merely a mirroring of the mission padre 
style of house 
MR. GILL’S DISTINCTIVE CONCRETE 
HOUSES—THE GOSPEL OF SIMPLICITY 
AND STRAIGHT LINES 
by Berti-ia H. Smith 
A N American style 
cannot be discov¬ 
ered. It must be created. 
Architecture, like all cre¬ 
ative arts, depends upon 
the process of evolution, 
and the periodic manifes¬ 
tations of this great art 
have been the result of 
development as deliberate 
as the ways of God. For 
such a manifestation in 
the United States we must 
have patience to wait. No 
one man shall arise and 
with touch of magic wand 
or donning of a wishing 
cap cause the vanishing 
of what is and the substi¬ 
tution of a full-fledged 
style. 
To those of large or lit¬ 
tle faith there is interest 
in the architect who 
evinces any tendency to 
break with the traditions 
of the past, and set him¬ 
self squarely to the task 
of considering the condi¬ 
tions, necessities, ways 
and means of this, our 
own time — in o t h e r 
words, one who seeks to 
glorify his own and not 
another age. There are a 
few of these secessionists 
East and West. One of 
the most radical is Irving 
J. Gill, whose work is a 
simple, frank, audacious 
protest against the fad 
for imitation Rhine cas- 
The impression of usefulness and strength 
visible in these houses is characterized by 
this sturdy balcony 
