WOMEN ARCHITECTS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1886, 21 October 1913, Page 8

WOMEN ARCHITECTS.

frThere is a growing protest against the system by which men design houses in which women liavo to do the work. One of the latest articles on the subject is by Mrs. Jessie Carey, in the "Contemporary," the gist of which is that if architects did the housework, there would bo very different houses in which to do the work. Her ideal house (presumably one of considerable size) was built by two architects, a man and a woman, in partnership with an engineer. "I have nevor been able to understand why domestic architecture should bo considered exclusively a man's profession. What man architect lsnowa the fatigue of carrying, lft skirts, heavy trays of china and food up and down stops, or understands enough of kitchen work to follow in spirit a busy cook who knows she will want a little milk about a dozen times a day, and, partly worried aud partly careless, gradually slips into the danger* ous habit of keeping' a jug of milk in the kitchen, because the tiresome larder is so awkward to . get at? The "gloomy basement kitchens and airless attics" of Georgian and Victorian town houses remind her of the'words: "All the earth is full of darkness and cruel habitation." Mrs. Carey makes the good point Efiat every house should bo so designed and fitted up that tho mistresS'Can do all the necessary work, aud declares that most of the hard and dirty work in houses is due to defective planning, false economy, and a callous disregard for the servants. Carrying water and coal and scrubbing rough floors is not work 'for a woman, whether sho is mistress or servant. Have colonial mistresses, weary of washingup, ever calculate(T"how much time in a day pocs to this one branch of tho cleaning department? Mrs. Carey estimates tihfit in a family of eight or nine, including the servants, tho Wash-ing-up would take a maid from four to six hours, and says if this work could W saved a long stop would bo taken towards reducing tho service. 'Washingup machines, and machines for polishing boots, peeling potatoes, and doing other domestic drudgery have long been in use ill hotels and'on steamers, and they should bo manufactured in smaller sizes by the thousands for the relief of housewives and servants. "Could one imagine a more delightful or profitable object of a commission than an inauirv the housekeeping methods of all civilised countries, so that wo might gather the best from all lands for our homes in England?"