Monotony and Utility.

Progress, Volume II, Issue 8, 1 June 1907, Page 302

Monotony and Utility.

An American writer has been advocating the use of standard sizes in the building of concrete block houses. He thinks that by such a means great saving in regard to labour would be effected. He points out the remarkable progress that has followed standardization and organisation in other industries and declares that " the situation seems to cryaloud for ready-made tenements of assorted sizes." It is not quite a pleasant prospect

for architecture, perhaps. The house as a*i individual artistic entity, designed to meet special needs, is no doubt the ideal state of things. But, after all, it is an ideal that is rarely realised', and the more urgent need is for sound, healthy and cheap dwellings. If that demand can be satisfied, we may well put up with the drawback of the infinite multiplication of standard types. But let not the standard be the " Carpenter's Gothic " of some of our towns.