DOI Artikel:
Jones, Sydney R.: On the designing of cottages and small houses
DOI Seite / Zitierlink:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.41874#0068
ON THE DESIGNING OF COTTAGES AND SMALL HOUSES
applied to new houses and cottages. One example of modern thatching,
from Kenilworth in Warwickshire, is given on page 3 7. Although thatch-
ing makes the most picturesque roof of all in country places, it cannot be
recommended from the standpoint of economy. A covering of thatch,
made with straw, is little cheaper than one of tiles, and it does not last so
long. It is liable to be damaged by birds, and is subject to risks from fire.
It is unlikely, therefore, that this material will again be widely adopted,
but it still has its place in modern building. Thatching has outstanding
merits, and the good work being done to-day proves that they are still
realized.
There is not room in these pages to pay full attention to all the external
details that help to form the complete house. None are too insignificant
for consideration, for each has its place and purpose. Porches, doors, rain-
water heads and spouts, fences, gates, and other minor features, present
opportunities for design, and for the expression of good ideas. At the
present time, and in view of the extensive proposals for housing, these
opportunities are very great and the crafts connected with building ought
to be encouraged to the fullest extent; for architecture includes the work
of many trades operating together for a final end. Possibilities also exist
for the standardization of details, though only to a limited degree. Never-
theless, great economy
would be effected if certain
essentials were manufac-
tured in large quantities.
Intensive production
would not be harmful to
the cause of cottage archi-
tecture, if really good de-
signs were used, and the
work was applied with taste
and discrimination. For
example, doors and win-
dows of good proportion
and sound construction
may be made as well by the
thousand as singly. There
is also no reason why or-
dinary rainwater heads,
which are moulded and
cast in iron, should be the
ugly shapes they usually
are, when simple designs
56
GARDEN FURNITURE DESIGNED AND
EXECUTED BY CASTLES’ SHIPBREAKING
COMPANY (PAGE 58)
applied to new houses and cottages. One example of modern thatching,
from Kenilworth in Warwickshire, is given on page 3 7. Although thatch-
ing makes the most picturesque roof of all in country places, it cannot be
recommended from the standpoint of economy. A covering of thatch,
made with straw, is little cheaper than one of tiles, and it does not last so
long. It is liable to be damaged by birds, and is subject to risks from fire.
It is unlikely, therefore, that this material will again be widely adopted,
but it still has its place in modern building. Thatching has outstanding
merits, and the good work being done to-day proves that they are still
realized.
There is not room in these pages to pay full attention to all the external
details that help to form the complete house. None are too insignificant
for consideration, for each has its place and purpose. Porches, doors, rain-
water heads and spouts, fences, gates, and other minor features, present
opportunities for design, and for the expression of good ideas. At the
present time, and in view of the extensive proposals for housing, these
opportunities are very great and the crafts connected with building ought
to be encouraged to the fullest extent; for architecture includes the work
of many trades operating together for a final end. Possibilities also exist
for the standardization of details, though only to a limited degree. Never-
theless, great economy
would be effected if certain
essentials were manufac-
tured in large quantities.
Intensive production
would not be harmful to
the cause of cottage archi-
tecture, if really good de-
signs were used, and the
work was applied with taste
and discrimination. For
example, doors and win-
dows of good proportion
and sound construction
may be made as well by the
thousand as singly. There
is also no reason why or-
dinary rainwater heads,
which are moulded and
cast in iron, should be the
ugly shapes they usually
are, when simple designs
56
GARDEN FURNITURE DESIGNED AND
EXECUTED BY CASTLES’ SHIPBREAKING
COMPANY (PAGE 58)