A Way of Advertising Concrete.

Progress, Volume VI, Issue 4, 1 February 1911, Page 553

A Way of Advertising Concrete.

Every year there is a cement show in Chicago to mark the progress of the industry. Last year they tried a competition, a guessing competition, and the winner was to have the material for a cement house. The prize was won by a young lady, and she exercised her rights in due course. These were to select the site and general plans of the building. That done, a prominent architect of the Lake City drew the plans and set the specifications, and the house is being built in the suburb of Wakden, one of the most picturesque of bi-titi&Roefif Chicago. K M_.r~ recces ;

We publish illustrations of the elevation, ground, and first floor plans. Cement is, of course, being used wherever possible. The house is to he a perfect example of what is possible in cement residence construction at a moderate cost. The walls and partitions are being made of hollow cement tile, insuring perfect insulation. The exterior of the walls is to be' finished with a rough east cement plaster coat. The foundations , are of solid plain ' concrete. Red cement tile will be used in the roof, which will be surmounted by two concrete chimneys with round tops. ( In general outline the house is recta ngu-

lar in shape, has a screened porch at each end and a small entrance portico i: the centre. yLittle attempt will be made ai exterior decoration. . .. So much is evident from the drawing The object, of course, is to show the capac ity of cement in the plainest manner ant to keep within the limit of an economies' design—a great consideration with those who build cottages. Tims a simple moulding at the secont floor level and a moulded cornice relieving the plain concrete wall arc the only sign? of the ornate. The reinforced concrete

crete with moulded decorations. The bookcase and China closet are to be built in and have leaded-glass doors. The dining-room will be unique in having a beamed ceiling with an oval central panel, from which the beams radiate, carrying out the idea of a decoration by means of actual structural details. • ; The modern idea of living nine months of the year on the porches of the house rather than inside, has been allowed for in this design by the two spacious porches, one opening off the dining-room and the

been the aim to make every line harmonise with its material. In the open doorways, the flat arch is used, and where beams and columns are needed for support, they are plainly exposed. Nothing has' been attempted in structure or decoration which does not harmonise in concrete, the aim being to show the highest example of true concrete construction and decoration throughout the building. The house is already attracting widespread interest among builders throughout the country, and particularly among prospective home builders in Chicago and vicinity. The process of construction will be watched by scores of interested people, many of whom make frequent excursions to the building site to watch the various stages. Over thirty of the exhibitors at last year's Cement Show have donated the material to be used in the building, and Architect Barton has offered his service free of charge. Among all the parties concerned in the building of the house, the most interested of all is the happy prospective owner, .Miss Williamson.