Architectural report


6 July 1960

Arrivas House
(Avero complex)


The summer objectives of the architectural team may be summarized as
follows:

(1) Prepare twenty (2J sheets of record drawings for the Historic
American Buildings Survey to cover six (6) selected structures;

(2) Direct photographic recording, by means of fifty ($0) professional
shotographs, to supplement the drawings indicated above and to
provide a partial record for the Historic American Buildings Survey of
an additional six to eight (6 8) selected structures;

(3) Prepare working documents for the reconstruction of the Arrivas
House as of a stage and date to be determined; and

(4) Perform such other architectural duties as may be required in
connection with the above, in concert with the other research
personnel, and as directed by the Commission.

As of this date, progress toward these objectives is indicated by the
following review:

(1) The equivalent of eight (8) sheets of record drawings have been
prepared, subject to tracing upon final sheets. These cover the
Arrivas and Watkins houses. Forty-seven (47) sheets of field
notes were required for this work. Based upon an estimate of
two thirds of the time being required for this part of the work,
we are about one week behind schedule. This may reasonably be
accounted for by considering the time required to set up facilities,
become familiar with the peculiarities of the work, and to perform
related duties indicated below. It is to be expected that the
speed of work will increase as it progresses.

(2) Arrangements with a photographer have been made and he has now
obtained the special film required for this work. The additional
structures, to be recorded by photographs only, must beMselected
and appropriate views must then be determined for this entire
work. There should be no difficulty in accomplishing this within
the time allotted.

(3) Investigations necessary to the proper reconstruction of the
Arrivas House include reading reports of building practices,
observing the progress of the archeological work, analyzing early
photographs, making detailed photographic and sketch records, re-
moving later stages of construction to uncover earlier conditions,
and beginning trial patterns of the condition of the house at
various stages. It is difficult to determine whether or not
adequate progress has been made on this work. Each day seems to
present more questions than answers. It can only be hoped that as
more evidence is brought to light the pattern will become reasonably
clear and that this will occur soon enough for the architectural






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Architectural report 4 July 1960



reconstruction to proceed as desired.

(4) Other work has included conferences with the research personnel
and other informed persons constructing drafting and light tables,
arranging window displays, appearing on two television shows, pro-
curing supplies, writing an opinion on the proposed housing
ordinance, and writing various letters necessary to the work.
Some equipment is still needed by is on order. The organization
of records is incomplete pending receipt of some of this equip-
ment. Other administrative details to be undertaken include the
completion of owner's permission certificates and the accumulation
of historical data relating to the structure to be recorded.


Respectfully submitted,


William A. Stewart









Architectural Iieport
12 Sept. 1960



In a previous report, dated 6 July 1960, the summer objectives
of the architectural team were summarized as follows:

(1) Prepare twenty (20) sheets of record drawings for the Historic
American Buildings Survey to cover six (6) selected structures;

(2) Direct photographic recording, by means of fifty (50) professional
photographs, to supplement the drawings indicated above and to
provide a partial record for the Historic American Buildings Survey
of an additional six to eight (6 8) selected structures;

(5) Prepare working documents for the reconstruction of the Arrivas
House as of a stage and date to be determined; and,

(4) Perform such other architectural duties as may be required in
connection with the above, in concert with the other research
personnel, and as directed by the Commission.

The first three of these objectives were subsequently modified as
follows:

(1) During his visit of 8 Aug. 1960, Mr. Chas. E. Peterson, Architect-
ural Director of the Historic American Building Survey, agreed to
purchase twentyone (21) sheets of record drawings to cover five (5)
selected structures;

(2) During the same visit, Mr. Peterson also modified the number of
professional photographs, to be taken at the present time, by
restricting them to the five (5) buildings also being recorded
by drawings; and

(3) As the work progressed further, it became apparent that a more
realistic objective with respect to reconstruction would be to
prepare basic drawings and directions so that the process of
razing adjacent structures, dismantling portions of the subject
structure, and continuing the investigation and resolution of
findings could take place in a more unified way and over a longer
period of time.

As of this date, progress toward these objectives is indicated by the
following review:

(1) The record drawings for the Historic American Building Survey have
been completed and copies made for the Commission files. Two
sheets of record drawings have also been prepared for the Worth
House, which was not included in the revised list but which will
be of probable interest at a future date as the structure is now
being dismantled.


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Architectural Report page 2


(2) The photographer has taken and processed all of the photographs
currently authorized. Not included is an additional group, relating
to other structures, which are to be taken by the Official Photo-
grapher for the Historic American Building Survey.

(Z) Floor plans, elevations, a design section, framing plans and basic
details, consisting of eleven (11) sheets of drawings, have been
prepared to show the probable condition of the Arrivas House at the
time of the completion of the wood frame second story. These draw-
ings are adequate for beginning the process of reconstruction if
undertaken by a skilled crew working under the direction of the
Commission's agents, especially if an architect is one of those
acting in this capacity. They might also be adequate to serve as
a basis for a contract operation, but this method of doing the work
would be likely to lose aspects of the structure which have not yet
become apparent and are, therefore, not indicated by the drawings
at present.

Specifications have not been prepared which would be adequate for
either method of operation. If the commission crew method is used,
specifications can be more informal and more responsive to working
conditions.

Reasons for arriving at the conclusions which the drawings represent
and further recommendations concerning the work of reconstruction
are contained in appendices to this report and are further supported
by field notes, sketches and photographs on file in the Commission's
office.

(4) In addition to the other duties indicated in the previous report,
detailed conferences with the cartographer determined the probable
architectural form of buildings indicated by map and appraisal, a
typical master plan street elevation was prepared, an opinion was
written for the City Zoning Commission relative to the compliance
of a proposed structure with the requirements for St. Augustine
architecture, discussions concerning the Restoration Commission's
participation in assuring such compliance were engaged in, a resolu-
tion of the findings of the historical research with the structural
evolution of the recorded buildings was undertaken, architectural
information forms to be submitted with the recorded buildings were
prepared, and the organization of all of the work for proper filing
and reference was begun.


Respectfully sbmitted,,


William Ste
Architect