Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2014 https://archive.org/details/americanarchitec01ritc /2/, FijJtoN ^^trrff. I THE COMPRISING ORIGINAL DESIGIS OF COUITRY EESIDEWCES, &c. The style of this design is Italian, the peculiarities of which the Architects, Messrs. Ritch «& Grey, of New York, have here displayed without sacrificing either fitness or convenience ; — A style peculiarly adapted to Villas and Country Seats, its full projections and expressive parts producing an effect both bold and pleasing. Founded on the Roman, its characteristic traits were developed and matured in Italy, in the 14th, 15th, and 16th Centuries. Surrounded by the splendid remains of Classic Buildings, Palladio and his predecessors thus borrowed their finest features for a class of Structures more congenial to a new condition of society : Hence the resemblance in some respects between the two. Relics of ancient rural Architecture are too few and imperfect to enable us to determine how near they were allied to such edifices as the Villa Giulia and domestic dwelhngs by Pal- ladio and others ; but the Public Works of the immortal Cily still extant — her Temples, Thea- tres and Baths — sufficiently indicate the origin of the modern style, which is as readily distin- guished from the other, as the Grecian from the Egyptian. The adaptation of the Italian to public and massive structures may be of questionable pro- priety, but for Country residences and ornate villas it is singularly appropriate, besides affording ample range to combine the useful with the beautiful. PLATE I. A Perspective view shoAving the entrance front and one side of the building. PLATE II. The garden front and side elevations. The heights of each story are given in section. PLATE III. The first and second story plans, with a plan of the " look-out'', or tower. The dimensions of each apart- ment are given and the thickness of walls and partitions mentioned in the annexed specification. PLATE IV. Dktails.— Fig. 1. Principal cornice and bracketts. Fig. 2. Verandah post, cap, cornice and bracketts. Fig. 3. Architrave trimming for first story. — 4. Architrave trimming for second story. — Fig. 5. Base for first story. — Fig. 6. Base for second story. — Fig. 7. Cornice for first story. — Fig. 8. Cornice for second story. — Fig. 9. Balcony. Estimate, $3,800. CAEPENTERS' SPECIFICATION. FOR DIMENSIONS SEE THE DRAWINGS. Timber. Windows. Roof, Cornices and Siding'. Floors. Base. Doors. Stairs. Closets. Verandali, Porcli. Balconies. Painting:. Claziuff. The posts 5 by 8, sills 5 by 8, interties 4 by 9, beams 3 by 9, trimmer beams 4 by 9, all placed 20 inches from centres, plates 5 by 8, hip and valley rafters 6 by 8, other rafters 3 by 6, all placed 3 feet from centres, braces 4 by 6, studding done with 3 by 4 joist, placed 16 inches from centres, door and window posts 4 by 6 ; Exterior walls filled in with brick (by mason) ferred off with strips of plank 16 inches from centres ; CeiUngs cross ferred, all of first quality Eastern white pine, mill sawed, the joist and ferring of hemlock. 1st and 2d story floor prepared for deafening, each tier of beams cross bridged. For the number and size, see the drawings, the sash all Ij hung with butts and fastened with bolt and knob latch. inch thick, made as a French sash, The roof planked with sound plank and covered with first quality one cross tin, soldered, 4 inch tin leaders, Cornices as shown on elevation formed on bracketts, lined with tin, bracketts under cornice sawed out of 3^ inch stuff", siding to be done with | inch tongued and grooved clear boards in white lead all flush, corner boards ig:s:ing:. Cellar excavated and the earth to be leveled around the Building. Foundation Base course 2 feet 6 inches wide of large flat stones, the top of base course 6 inches below the walls. ' cellar floor, from the base course the walls will be 18 inches tliick up to the first story floor ; that portion of exterior wall that is ahove ground will be faced with hard brick, foundation for chimneys &c— all to be of good hard stone, laid in best lime and sand mortar. Brick work. The partitions in cellar built in piers and arches, all 8 inches thick, chimneys as shown on plans built of hard brick, topping out of Newbnrgh brick laid in cement ; piers of 12 inches square under the Verandah columns. Exterior walls filled in with brick on edge ; all laid in best lime and sand mortar. Brown Stone Mantel to kitchen fire place. Caps to chimneys ; water table, 5 inches rise around the building at 1st story floor ; sills to cellar windows all of Connecticut stone tooled. Cellar paved with round stone, blue stone hearth to kitchen fire place, one set of cellar steps. Ironwork. Crane to kitchen fire-place, I inch round bars to cellar windows, clamps for chimney caps ; all painted two coats. Plastering. The 1st and 2nd stories to be lathed, and plastered three coats, the last coat hard finish, neat cor- nice in each story (see plate 8) small flower in Drawing room. Parlor, Dining room and Hall — all to be done witli the best R. I. lime, sharp sand, sound hair, best croton plaster, (kc. ; two floors • deafened with common mortar. MarMeman- Three mantels in 1st story to cost 20 dollars, with grates to cost 8 dollars. Four in the 2nd story to cost 15 dollars, with grates to cost 6 dollars all exclusive of setting. materials. -^pj^g niaterials throughout to be of good quality. The work to be done in a neat, substantial and workmanlike manner. * PLATE f>. /"/.A '/'A' • Of the diversity of human dwelhngs whether marked by elegance, convenience or utility, or by the want of them, none can compare in National importance and Philosophical interest with The Farm House — The Homestead of our species. A triple value attaches to that class of men which feeds all others. With primeval Farmere mans social faculties were first unfolded. With them society began : and among whatever peo- ple its shaft has become polished and its capital enriched, it still rests on the cultivators of the soil. So, of their profession, Agriculture is the great Parent of the Arts, while its prepared products will forever be the most essential of all manufactures. Then it was in their dwellings that Architecture itself had its birth : it was they who first abandoned the Tent with Pastoral life, and began to devise and construct, fixed and prominent abodes. To Farmer's Homes this work is designed to give especial attention. To make it as popular and useful as possible, specimens of the simplest, and cheapest will be brought forward. The subject of our present number is a substantial Dwelling. It is plain and spacious and adapted to meet the wants of a retired Merchant or opulent Agriculturist. The principal ornaments are the Cornice and Porch. We wish it to be borne in nund, that Avhere divisions of the Floors are not precisely what may be desired, the Plans are without prejudice to the Design, susceptible of modifications. The Estimates we give are based on New York prices, including the best materials, workman- ship and finish. There is no doubt that in many parts of the country, they may be materially diminished in every one of these respects — even to the extent of one half P L A T E 1 X. Perspective view showing the Entrance Front and side Elevations. PLATE X . Front a'nd side Elevations. — The height of each story are given in the Carpenter's specification. PLATE XI. First and second story Plans. PLATE XII. Details. — Fig. 1. Princi{)al Cornice and Bracket. — Fig. 2. Piazza Column, Cornioe, Bracket, . J. / Fnc/u: sca/f . P /rich sjale. T J ( \ In our present number we have introduced another spechnen of cheap or low priced dwell- ings, such as are adapted to the wants of a lari^e portion of our countrymen. Though small, il contains every essential convenience. The cost in New York would not exceed $6U0, and in some parts of the country might certainly be put up for $100 less. It consists of two divisions; the principal one containing a cellar, parlor, and two bed rooms ; the otlier embraces the kitchen and two small sleeping rooms over it. The chimneys above the roof, always a prominent feature in isolated dwellings, are made cylindrical. The termini are casts of cement, which give a tasteful finish, and cost but a trifle. They may be dispensed with, and the stacks carried up in the usual square form; but we strongly recommend their construction, as represented, so as to make the exterior consistent throughout. The front entrance porch is designed in character with the rest of the building, and may be put up at the same expense as an ordinary stoop. There is no external door to the kitchen, but it communicates freely with the yard in the rear, through the back door. In exposed situations, in winter, such an arrangement has its advantages. Numbers of small rural residences are erected at a greater expense than this, withovit a single feature creditable to either the builder or owner, and possessing neither piroportion, convenience, nor taste. We think this class of our Designs will merit the approbation of Country Builders, to whom they will furnish some useful hiuts in improving the style of the cheapest of dwellings. Cottages and humble homesteads are pre-eminently the abodes of the domestic virtues, and should in their exteriors bear at least some relation, to the moral and natural Graces which adorn their interiors. PLATE XVII. A Perspective View showing Entrance Front and Gable-end. PLATE XVIII. Front and Gable-eud Elevations. PLATE XIX. 1^ t*' The first and second story Plans. *" PLATE XX. Details.— Fig. 1. Ontside Trimming of Windows.— Fig. 2. Inside Trimming of Windows and Doors.— Fig. 3. Ground Plan of Windows, showing the iVames, inside and outside trimmings, sash stiles, &.c. — Fig. 4. Section of Principal Cornice. — Fig. 6. See Note in the Mason's Specification. Estimate $600. stories. Timber. Boot. Siding. ►"loors. Base. Doors and TrLmmingx. Ktairs. Porcli. mantels. Painting:. and Glazing. CARPENTERS' SPECIFICATION. [FOR DIMENSIONS, SEE THE DRAWINGS.] Cellar under the main House, 6 feet 6 inches ; first story 8 feet ; second story 7 feet ; first storj' Kitchen, 7 feet ; second story 6 feet 6 inches; each roof to rise 6 inches to a foot to the centre. All the stories to be of the above height in the clear when finished. The posts 3 by 5 inches, sills 3 by 5 inches, inter-ties 3 by 6 inches, beams, and trimmer beams 3 by 8 inches, and all to be placed 24 inches from centres ; braces 3 by 4 inches, studding done with 3 by 4 inch hemlock joist, all placed 16 inches from centres ; corner rafters 3 by 5 inches, other rafters 3 by 4 inches ; all placed 30 inches from centres ; plates 3 by 5 inches, plank ferring between each beam in ceilings ; the second story ceiling to be ferred down level with strips of plank. The timber (except studds) to be of good quality, mill sawed white pine, well framed, hard wood pins throughout. For tlie number and size, see the drawings ; the sash all li inches thick, common plank frames ; the upper sash stationary, the lower sash to shove up and down, and to be fastened with patent stile fastening. The roof planked with sound hemlock plank, laid with an inch space or joint between each, and covered with best quality bunch pine shingles, laid 6^ inches to the weather, and well nailed; timber gutters ; cornice as shown on plate of details ; 3 inch tin leaders, to carry water to the ground; around chimney lined witli lead weighing 2i lbs. to the foot. The siding to be done with good quality | inch white pine boards, rabbeted so as to show | inch on under side, put on in courses not over 9 inches wide, bead corner boards, &,c. ; all to be well seasoned, and free from black or loose knots, and to be well nailed. The floors to be laid with first quality merchantable, mill worked, planed, tongued and grooved 1 1 inch plank, laid in courses and well nailed ; all well seasoned, and to be free from loose knots. Six inch bead base in first story ; 5 inch bead base in second story ; and all | inch thick. The front door If inches thick, hung with butts and fastened with bolts and 6 inch rim-lock. One door in first story 1^ inches thick, double faced, hung with butts and fastened with 6 inch rim-lock. All the other doors throughout to be Ij inches thick, single faced, hung with butts and fastened with 5 inch rim-locks ; doors all made in four panels. The doors and windows through- out will be trimmed with 1| inch bead ; the first story to have a label moulding — see plate of de- tails. All the windows to be trimmed on moulded plank sills; the doors to have 1^ inch jambs; one pair of bevel, battin cellar doors, with cheeks, s,&.c. Fire places and chimneys built of good common hard burnt brick, laid in lime and sand mortar; the chimney caps to be of cement, fire stutf for one fire-place, of free-stone rubbed ; flag hearth to Ifitchen fire-place ; iron crane to kitchen fire-place. piasteriii^'^. The first and second stories will be lathed and plastered two coats and a skim — all to be done with Rhode Island lime and sharp sand mortar, hair all long and sound ; all put on in the best manner. nateriais. The materials to be of good quality. The work to be done in a neat and substantial manner. The Chimney tops are cast of cement in New- York, and are made in any form, pattej-n, or size to suit the taste of purchasers. , Note. — A subscriber having requested information in respect to deafening, we have in this num- ber, Plate 20, given a plan of the best method of deafening floors ; A, the beams ; B, a strip of plank nailed upon the beams, 3 inches below the top ; C, one inch boards nailed to the strips; D, common lime and sand mortar, laid on two inches thick, or up to the top of beams. Remarks. — The Architects, will, with pleasure, give any information that may be asked for by subscribers, provided always that such information does not conflict with the original intention of the work, as expressed in the addresj. TJ^ATE J 9. The Gothic Cottage is a style of Building- well adapted for rural Dwellings. It embraces more variety of outline than the Grecian or the Italian. Its pointed Gables, oriel Windows and characteristic Porches form a class of features that afford ample opportunity in their combination tor the display of picturesque effects. In selecting this, for the Design of our present number, care has been taken to avoid expensive details, and to give none but what are requisite to produce the character of Building peculiar to this style. The Design is divided into two separate stories ; the first contains a Hall, Parlor, Dining Room, and Kitchen, with a cellar underneath. By projecting the Porch a sufficiency of Hall is obtained for the staircase, and the additional space usually allotted to the latter is added to the Kitchen. The Hall is lighted by two windows, one on each side of the Porch. There is an entrance into the Yard from the Kitchen, through a small Hall, and adjoining the latter is a capacious Pantry. The second story contains four sleeping rooms and one closet. The landing and staircase is lighted by an oriel Window over the Porch, and this window is not only useful, but on account of its form and projection is highly ornamental to the exterior of the Building. The space between the ceiling of the second story and the roof may be appropriated as an open garret, or it may be converted into sleeping rooms, a clear height of seven feet being in the centre. The Chimneys are ornamental, and in character with the style ; they are not much more costly than the ordinary description, they can be readily obtained, and are a valuable addition to the appearance of the dwelling. For detached Houses this style of Building is highly suitable. If there be an objection, it is that which arises from the cost of the details and finishings peculiar to this style ; but much of it can be avoided (which which has been in this Design), and at the same time preserve the g^n'^ral features of this description of Building. PLATE XXI. Perspective, showing Front and End View. PLATE XXII. Front and End Elevations. PLATE XXI J I. The first and second story Plans, PLATE XXIV. Details. — Fig. 1. Elevation of Architrave and sill for Windows. — Fig, 2. Section of the bottom rail of Sash, showing sill, made as French case- ments, hung with butts and fastened with small bolts and knob latch. The floors will be laid with good, well seasoned, tongned and grooved, mill worked white pine 1^ inch plank, of the usual width, laid in courses and well nailed ; and to be free from loose knots. Neat plank moulded base in first story ; bead base in second sto^y, and closets. The entrance door 1| inches thick; doors in the first sloiy 1| inches thick, all double faced, hung with butts and fastened with 6 inch rim-locks, brass furniture. The doors in second story and pantries will be 1^ inch thick, single faced, hung with butts and fastened with 5 inch rim-locks. Outside l\ inch panel shutters to the windows in first story. Green Venetian blinds to the windows in second story; all to be hung and fastened in best manner. The doors and windows will be trimmed with neat Gothic architraves — see plate 24. The par lor windows will be trimmed to the floor, with panel backs, &c. The other windows in this story to be trimmed on plank sills. The windows in second story to be trimmed on plank sills. The stairs as shown on plan ; steps 1^^ inch, risers 1 inch, with coves; all of white pine; round 3 inch rail; 1| inch bannisters, 5 inch newel, all of St. Domingo mahogany, well put up, and glued in best manner. Step-ladder from first story to cellar, enclosed with door at top. Step-laddei from second story to attic enclosed, and door at foot of same. The Closets and Pantries fully shelved ; dresser in Kitchen, with shelves above and doors below. The Piazza as shown on the drawings, well timbered ; the floor of planed, tongued and grooved 1| inch white pine plank ; roof planked, and covered with tin soldered; ceiled with planed, tongued and grooved boards ; all to be well nailed. The porch to be made as shown on the drawings. Back stoop with roof, to the kitchen door. There will be a neat pilaster Mantelpiece, to the dining room and parlor fire-place, each to be neatly finished, with caps, base, bed moulding under shelf ; the shelf 1| inch thick, and moulded ; inch shelf, supported on brackets, to kitchen fire-place. Mantels all painted in imitation oi marble, and varnished. All the wood work usually painted, will have two good coats of best white lead in oil. The glass throughout to be of the first quality American cylinder, all well selected, and free from stains and imperfections of every kind. MASON'S SPECIFICATION DESIGN 6. Diggrinsr. Cellar excavated, and the earth to be leveled around the building. '^?^i^&:c? Base course 2 feet 6 inches wide, composed of large flat stones ; the top of base course 6 inches below the cellar floor. From the base course the walls will be 18 inches thick up to the first story floor. All to be built of good hard stone, laid in the best lime and sand mortar. SuflScient founda- tion for chimneys, &c. Brick "Woric. The Chimneys will be built of good hard burnt brick, laid in the best lime and sharp sand mor- tar. The exterior walls to be filled in with salmon brick on edge, laid in mortar. Hearths, and fire stuff" for the fire-places, and crane to kitchen fire-place. piasterinsr. The first and second stories will be lathed, and plastered three coats, the last of which shall be hard finished ; neat cornice in parlor, hall, and dining room, first story — see plate 24. All to be done with the best Rhode Island lime, sharp sand, sound hair, best Croton plaster, &c. Haterials. The materials to be of good quality, like manner. The work to be done in a neat, substantial, and wonnan- FRONT F-LEVATION. 1.^ PLATE 23 7"' I rsf S to rj-. The selection of a style of Building which possesses not only adaptation for rural dwellings, but the forms that are least expensive in their production, requires the exercise of judgment and experience in Architectural knowledge. Modes and styles of Design are numerous The Egyptian, Grecian, Roman, Italian and Gothic have features which distinguish then), and each has its peculiar fitness. Neverthless, these styles or modes are but the elements of Design, and unless the application of them is clearly comprehended, a composition which shall embrace a harmony of parts is difficult to be obtained. Any. attempt to produce Designs of cheap Dwellings requires an intimate acquaintance with the forms and fitness of Details, in order that none of the latter may be introduced that are not essential to utility. In cherishing this principle the greatest endeavour should be made to eschew ornamental displays, and to adopt the forms which are useful and practicable. Piazzas, Porches and Porticos, Cornices of Roofs and Windows, projections of Chimney Tops and Drips, have each their objects of utility to serve, and when these parts are arranged with a general type or harmony of appearance, they not only contribute to the effect of the Building but also express the purposes for which they are designed. Design No. 7 is calculated for a .substantial Country DweUing. It is designed to be construct ed of brick work, but the arrangement and the particulars given are sufficient (witli a trifling modification) to be adapted for a framed Building. The Ground Plan contains an entrance Hall and Staircase, a Parlor, Kitchen, Bedroom and Washroom, with a Piazza in the front and rear of the Building; a capacious cellar is underneath the kitchen. The second story contains ? landing or Hall and four good sleeping Rooms. PLATE XXV. A Perspective View showing Entrance front and End of Building. PLATE XXVI. Front and End Elevations. PLATE XXVII. The first and second stoiy Plans. PLATE XX VI 11. Details.— Fig. 1. A, Plank. B, Rafter. C, Plate. D, Bracket. E, Wall. F, Cornice. G, Bracket and Bed Moulding under Plancier. H, Ogee and bead. — Fig. 2. A, Cornice. B, B, Brackets. C, Frieze. D, Cap. E, E, Column. F, F, Plan of Column. G, Base. — Fig. 3. A, Brick Arch. B, Stone Lintel. C, Wooden Lintel. 1). Stone Sill. £stiiiiate 3,^00. stories. Xiiuber. CARPENTERS' SPECIFICATION Biiueuaious Thirty-five feet wide in front and rear by Twenty-eight feet deep on each side, and two stories high exclusive of cellar and cock-loft, with a wash-room or Laundry of seventeen feet square, and one story high. For the arrangement and sub-division of the several stories see the plans. The Cellar will be 7 feet, first story 10 feet, second story 9 feet, cock-loft 7 feet in the centre, all to be of the above height in the clear when finished. The mason will do all the digging necessary. The first and second tier of beams will be 3 by 10 inches, all placed 16 inches from centres; trimmers and trimmer beams all 4 by 10 inches. The third tier of beams 3 by 8 inches, placed 32 inches from centres. The rafters to be 3 by 8 inches, placed 3 feet from centres, with collar beams — and plates 3 by 8 inches ; all to be of the first quality Northern white pine, mill sawed, square edged, well seasoned' framed and put on in best manner. The ends of the beams will be cut on a bevel so that the under side may rest 4 inches on the wall, and the upper side enter the wall but one inch. Two rows of cross bridging in each tier of beams, done with wall strips, nailed with two 10 penny nails in each end. The corner posts of wash-room to be 4 by 6 inches, sill 4 by 6 inches, plate 3 by 6 inches, rafters 3 by 6 inches, placed 3 feet from centres. Partitions. The partitions throughout will be set with 3 by 4 inch joist, placed 16 inches from centre, the door studs to be doubled. The exterior walls will be ferred of[ with strips of hemlock boards 2 inches wide, and placed 16 inches from centres — ferring for ceiling of second story. The ceiling of wash-house to be ferred down level witli joist and strips of plank. Windows. For the number and size see the drawings; all to be box frames, sash If inches thick, double hung with weights and hemp cord and patent pullies — patent sash fastenings to the first story sash — outside Venetian blinds, securely hung and fastened to each window in main House. Roof, The roofs will be planked with hemlock boards laid with an inch joint, and to be covered with Cornices, &:c. the first quality bunch pine shingles, laid 5 inches to the weather and well nailed — 3 inch tin leaders to carry the water to the cistern — Barge boards