International studio (51.1913/1914)

A Rebel in the Architects Camp

in stone and marble, but the classical style col-
umns did not appeal to them as worthy material
for their art.
In the old-style architecture the abacus is so
thin as to appear brittle; “ears” of foliage at the
angles give no solidity to it, and a bunch of leaves
at the top of a column carrying untold tons of
masonry seems almost childish in conception.
The voice is Jacob's voice but the hands are the
hands of Esau. These notes are the Interna-
tional Studio’s notes but the ideas are the ideas
of Mr. Cantin. We accept no responsibility and
are in no wise acting as the champions of new-
style architecture. We realize that Mr. Cantin
has developed new features which we are pleased
to present to our readers. It is very questionable
whether it be possible to discover a new Order at
any time, and still more so in the present com-

mercial age. Also we believe that we can detect
certain flaws and discrepancies in these designs,
which subsequent criticism and debate will doubt-
less lay bare. Meanwhile, any one seeking intelli-
gently to improve present conditions of architec-
ture in America is rendering yeoman service, and
all who disagree with his problems will at
least commend Mr. Cantin for his bold attempt
to prescribe a new diet for that suffering infant,
American architecture.
In conclusion we would quote from Frank E.
Wallis, who, in an excellent chapter on “The
Architect and the Future,” writes as follows:
“The big, dominating force in America today
is its industrial feudalism, and its restraining
force is the ideal of the individual. This is de-
veloped to a point unknown in the previous his-
tory of architecture. The opportunities given
the average American to express himself in do-
mestic architecture are
unique. The condition is
undoubtedly an outcome of
the interesting partnership
between the industrial over-
lord and his retainers. The
overlord requires libraries,
institutions of learning,
banks and palaces, and we
have them. On the other
hand, we have today a do-
mestic architecture of the
highest degree of excellence,
a new expression which is
not only comfortable and fit,
but beautiful and supremely
convenient.
“ Science will continue to
build more and more amaz-
ing temples for the over-
lord as long as the indus-
trial ideal retains its power.
And when the time comes
for the third great revolu-
tion, or evolution, and that
ideal is destroyed or modi-
fied, out of the conflict,
saved by the ideal of the
individual unit, will arise a
new and vital power, per-
haps approaching the Ideal
socialism of the thirteenth
century without the attend-
ing horrors, perhaps a world
citizenship, and science will
build temples to the new
ideal, and a new style will
be born.”


Patented May, 1913. AU rights reserved by Alexander A. Cantin

COLUMN-ARCH DESIGNS

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