panying mechanical and architectural descriptions, adapted to our peculiar organization of Primary Schools, and embodying the recent improvements in school architecture. In submitting his report on the subject to the above-named Committee, the Superintendent presented the following outline and plan of a model Primary Schoolroom, adapted to our organization, to which the architect should endeavor to approximate as nearly as possible in designing Primary School Buildings: "Fifty-six being the number of pupils to be accommodated, the arrangement of the desks for this number is the next thing to be done. The best mode of disposing of them seems to be to make seven rows with eight in a row. Arranged in this way, they will occupy a space in the form of a rectangle, of which the longest side will be parallel with the teacher's platform. Each desk is one foot and a half long. The centre aisle should be two feet wide, and each of the others sixteen inches. A chair and desk together require a little more than two feet from front to back. Fifty-six desks and chairs, with the above dimensions and arrangements, would occupy a rectangle twenty-two feet by fifteen. In the rear, and on the sides of the space appropriated to seating, there should be a space not less than three feet wide. The teacher's platform should be at least five feet wide, and the area between the scholars' desks and the platform should be at least as wide. These measures will require a room twenty-eight feet square in the clear. The height should be twelve feet in the clear. This size gives one hundred and sixty eight cubic feet of air to each child, which would be sufficient to last thirty-nine minutes without a fresh supply. The plan entitled 'Model Primary School-room,' herewith submitted, represents the arrangements above described. An inspection of this plan will show that provision is made for blackboards in the rear and in front of the pupils, and for light on both sides. When practicable, the light should be admitted on the left side of the pupils as they sit, in preference to the right side. If light can be admitted only on one side of the room, the pupils should be seated with their backs towards it. This room is planned on the supposition that architectural considerations will make it necessary to admit the light on two opposite sides of the room, rather than on two adjacent sides. If the light is admitted on opposite sides, as in this plan, the seating should be so arranged that the blank walls may be in front and rear, while the windows are on the right and left of the pupils as they sit. Whatever may be the size of rooms in the building, each schoolroom should have attached to it a clothes closet. It is desirable that this closet should be accessible both from the entry and school-room. This closet should be from four to five feet in width, and about fifteen feet in length, and lighted by a window." Such, in brief, was the origin of the general plan or system adopted by the City Council as a guide in the construction of Primary Schoolhouses, and in accordance with which this building was designed by the accomplished architect, Nathaniel J. Bradlee, Esq. "The new school-house on Washington Square is situated on a lot measuring 84 feet front, 55 feet 2 inches on the west side, 126 feet 8 inches on the rear, and 73 feet 3 inches on the east side, the building itself covering a space 77 feet 3 inches front by 31 feet 9 inches deep, with a projection in the rear 5 feet by 18 feet 6 inches, which is made so as to give sufficient depth for the stairway and clothes room. The façade is divided into three sections, the centre being 23 feet wide projecting 12 inches, and forming a regular pediment at the roof. There is a granite underpinning around the building averaging 5 feet high in front, and 2 feet on the sides and rear; all above is of face brick with freestone trimmings, the whole being finished with a heavy cornice. The first story windows have moulded freestone caps; all the others are plain. The foundation stones, which are laid 3 feet 6 inches below the cellar bottom, are 1 foot 6 inches thick by 3 feet wide; on top of these the walls are carried up 20 inches thick in cement to the top of the floor, and above first floor the walls are vaulted with an air space of two inches, the outside wall being 12 inches thick and the inside one 4 inches thick. The inside partition walls are also of brick, and the plastering is put directly on the brickwork, so as to prevent any danger of fire communicating from one story to another. The basement is divided into two play-rooms, each 28 feet 1 inch by 28 feet 5 inches, hall 15 feet by 16 feet 6 inches, fuel cellar 16 feet 6 inches by 17 feet, and two furnaces 8 feet square each. The first, second, and third stories, respectively, are divided into two school-rooms each 28 feet square; two clothes rooms, each 4 feet 6 inches by 12 feet, hall 16 feet by 20 feet 6 inches, including a landing 7 feet 7 inches by 16 feet; also a vestibule 5 feet 6 inches by 10 feet. Each clothes closet is supplied with water over an iron enamelled sink. All the school-rooms, entries, and closets are sheathed 5 feet high, so as to protect the plastering." |