Untitled - eCommons@Cornell - Cornell University

777^ COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE. 269
of absolute imitation of historic forms, this wholesale adaptation is
encouraged in the belief that the students will recognize in this way
the true relation of historic motives to modern work : in other words
it is believed that the students will see that historic motives are useful
and necessary as helps in the study of the broad principles of com
position, but that they should be only considered necessary during
student days. History of Architecture is taught through lectures
illustrated by means of models, photographs and lantern slides.
The subjects cared for by the Seminary, such as legal questions,
professional practice, special
engineering problems, etc., are practically
only touched upon. With all the work which belongs to the technical
training of an architect, it would be unwise to use the time necessary
for a more exhaustive treatment of these allied subjects. The stu
dents become familiar with the breadth of field in these directions
and are advised to employ experts for the solution of all problems
which do not come properly within the scope of an architect's prac
tice. Eminent specialists are invited each year to talk before the
students on subjects allied to architecture but which cannot be
specially taught in a College of Architecture. Stained glass, mosaics,
furniture, mural painting, etc., are some of the topics that come under
this head.
EQUIPMENT.
The rooms of the College are located on the second and third floors
of Lincoln Hall, and consist of the offices, library, lecture rooms,
drafting rooms, rooms for freehand drawing, water color, modeling,
etc. The material equipment is especially complete along those par
ticular lines wherein the student needs most help and guidance. The
library, of course, takes first place, and is one of the best working li
braries of its kind in this country. It comprises nearly all works of
any note that have been published during the last century on the sub
ject of architecture or architectural construction ; a vast number of
photographs and plates mounted and arranged for ready reference ;
and the bound volumes and current numbers of the leading architec
tural periodicals both foreign and American. Not only is the library
most complete, but above all, it is accessible at all times, and the stu
dents have free and unhampered access to books, plates and photo
graphs, and are encouraged and urged to use the best of the material
for direct reference in the drafting rooms.
Next to the library in direct helpfulness to the students in design is
the constantly increasing collection of drawings made by advanced
students and graduates of the Ecole des Beaux Arts. Aside from any