Studio: international art (16.1899)

effort in the same direction, and an architectural
design of considerable originality as compared
with the average building of to-day. Regarded
from a higher standpoint, we may see in it a
natural and simple solution of a modern archi-
tectural problem, and in this last aspect we shall
briefly describe it.

Bold and effective as it is in the general mass,
the first impression of the building from the street
is not one of eccentricity but of commodious
solidity and warmth. The broad projecting eaves
give the idea of shelter and quietude, the expan-
sive porches of hospitality and active intercourse,
the ample and varied windows of diversity of life
within. A general view of the settlement from the
garden or from Tavistock Place is instructive. In-
stead of the usual hit-and-miss arrangement of
different materials, we have them used in large
surfaces in a broad and sympathetic manner. The
stone, brick, plaster, and slate are consistently con-
fined to particular portions of the structure: such
a treatment gives scale and maintains the archi-
tectural form—a quality too often forgotten in the
desire for elaborate detail. Breadth and dignity
are achieved by the long unbroken line of the

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ridge facing the main street, and the happy group-
ing of the chimneys in the other elevations has
helped to keep the whole design free from the
merely picturesque outline affected by the ordinary
architect.

The Mansard roof is very ably contrived, and
the portion towards Tavistock Place is particularly
ingenious. The steep lower slope of the roof,
broken by a row of well-disposed attic-windows, is
finished against two projecting wings flanking the
gables at either end, which are carried up above
the eaves and roofed by the flat pitch of the Man-
sard running over them, the sides being hipped
against the slope. The top-storey window in the
wings, set close up under the eaves, is divided into
three lights, the centre one breaking out into a
small semi-circular bay. The second-floor win-
dows, under these, are arranged in single threes,
while the main block at this level presents an
unbroken facade which covers one side of the
lecture hall. The staircase windows in the wings
are set diagonally, following the stairs, and give a
pleasant variety to the surface scheme.

Entering from Tavistock Place, we pass the mas-
sive stone porch surrounding the front door, and