HOW TO BUILD A HOUSE:

AN ARCHITECTURAL NOVELETTE.

BY
E. VIOLLET-LE-DUC.

TRANSLATED BY BENJAMIN BUCKNALL,
ARCHITECT

LONDON:
SAMPSON LOW, MARSTON, LOW, AND SEARLE,
CROWN BUILDINGS, 188, FLEET STREET.
1874.

[All Rights Reserved.]

Among the voluminous and invaluable published worksof M. Viollet-le-Duc, none perhaps will have greater interestfor the amateur or for the practical architect thanthe “Histoire d’une Maison.” Of all the architecturalproblems of the day there is not one of greater importanceor difficulty than that of building a house whichshall fulfil the various needs and conditions of a moderndwelling; and the author has brought the results of along course of study, observation, and experience, to bearupon this problem in a most practically instructive andfascinating shape. A lively narrative introduces thereader to the minute and thorough discussion of everystage of the processes involved, so that his attention isagreeably relieved; and each step is illustrated by platesand diagrams, which render the details intelligible evento the least informed student.

As the scene of this architectural novelette is laid inFrance, there is much both in the general remarks andin the arrangements of the building described which onlyapplies to the social conditions and requirements of theFrench. But the value of the principles laid down and[Pg viii]the practical instruction conveyed is not thereby materiallylessened, since every page of the book exhibitsimportant truths or excellent methods, which are ofgeneral application. By following out those principles itwould be easy to obtain the same admirable adaptationof arrangement, soundness of construction, and charm ofdesign for an English house, which the author has soably laid down and fully illustrated in reference to itsFrench counterpart.

It may be interesting to the reader to know that the“Histoire d’une Maison” was written and illustrated byM. Viollet-le-Duc during the evenings of two months—Julyand August—of last year (1873), which were spentby him in the Alps for the purpose of surveying andmapping for the French Government the whole of theFrench Alps—a task accomplished by him, a