Signed Buildings.

Progress, Volume IV, Issue 1, 2 November 1908, Page 19

Signed Buildings.

In journalism there is a standing' controversy about the signing- of aitides, and in some countries the controversy has been settled by the practice oi signature. Ne^ ertheless journalism remains for the most part an anonymous profession. To most people it will be a surprise to learn that architecture is also for the most part an anonymous profession, and that there is the same controversy about the signing of buildings by their designers as there is about the signing of articles by their writers. In the practice of the world at large it is strange that this anonymity has extended to some of the finest buildings ever designed. One can understand the reluctance of an architect to stand sponsor to a design really made by another, a design which has been altered from the shape into which he put it first owing to considerations of expense. Still more can one understand the modesty of the Carpenter's Gothic, so hateful to His Excellency Lord Plunket. But that any architect should refrain from placing his name on a masterpiece which has never been altered in any particulai from hK design, is almost inconceivable. It is almost impossible to imagine the possibility of the world ever forgetting that St. Peter's was built by Michael Angelo, yet it is certain that the architect of the Capitol at Washington, one of the noblest buildings in the world, was ignored for years, the credit for his work being given to another, just as the credit of an anonj - mous article is often given to anyone but the writer, until the friends of William Thornton, the architect of the original Capitol building, and of Walter, who designed the extensions of later years, obtained justice for their memories. One may ask why it should be necessary to call attention to tlie subject, a<* the reasons for the signing practice ought to be self-evident. The two chief reasons are given in a recent number of an aichitectural journal — "Architects' and Builders' Journal" — of Baltimore, U.S. A , by the secretary of the American Institute of Architects. "In the first place," said Mr. Brown, in discussing the subject a few days ago, 2. "there are many buildings standing today where we would gladly know the name of the architect, either because of the a< - tual historic interest of the structures or because they are interesting steps, eithei in whole or in part, in the development of architecture. Many structuies combine both of these attributes of interest In many cases an architect who should be given credit for having designed or turning to better account a certain style in architecture will never be known and iecognised, simply because his name cannot be learned. A small signature on some portion of the building would give us the opportunity, and the privilege of honoui - ing many an unknown and worthy member of the profession "

His second reason why architects should sign their work, is the belief that it would make them more careful, and that the profession as a whole would be uplifted by such a step. He said that, if such a thing were possible as a law compelling the architect's name to appear on all btiildings, there would be very much less of the poor quality designs which are now turned out, even in what are intended to be fine examples of architectural skill.

Although the practice of having fine public and pi irate buildings signed is in general practice in some places abroad, to a marked degree in Paris, there are no cities in this country where it is followed to any extent. In the controversy that ensued one prominent architect urged the passing of a law compelling architects' names to appear on their work. He said that this would go a great way toward making them careful with all their designs.

"The test of a good architect," he said, when interviewed on the matter, "is shown by the character of the small work which he does, rather than by the chance or occasional big building he plans. Almost any architect can plan at least one line structure, but if he is a true artist he will spend equal care on all his work. A law requiring them to sign all buildings would be a big help in bringing* jbont this desired end."