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All builders will
agree that the most economical form in which a dwelling can be
erected is a cube, because it contains more space within a given
area of walls and roof than any other. Next to this is a
parallelogram. The more irregular the outline of a building, the
more the cost is increased, because it has more exterior
surface, and therefore requires more wall or weather boarding,
more roof, more gutters, and more fixtures and ornaments, when
the house is in a handsome style.
On the other
hand, the irregular form has great advantages, not only in the
greater beauty of effect which the architect is enabled to
bestow on it, but in its variety of sizes, forms, and
consequently accommodation of its apartments within, as well as
in the greater number and variety of views afforded without.
Hence, those who desire to
combine as much economy as possible, with good taste in building
a residence, will select a cube or rectangle for the outline of
its ground plan; while those to whom expense is of less
importance than convenience and picturesque effect, will adopt
the irregular form.
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