Survey Shows: whatarchitects want

A rt'r't'nl slrr\'('\' arnong l.(XX) sorrlht'rrr (lalifornia AIA registeretl architt'r'ts, <'ondut'tt'<l lrv tlre \\'ood In[orrnation llrrrt'au oI Southern California. intlicates tht' nt't,tl for closer contact betrveen the lumlrer industn and architects.

The rt'sults are similar to thrrse of the builder surve)i" also conducted lrv the \I'ood Information Bureau. ( See 'l[rtrch. issu.e. California, Lumber lI erchant. )

Among the questions a,.ked were the {ol-

Lrwirrg. uith 1rt'rt'cntagt' ligun's irrtlicaling tht' rehtive responsc:

Would a permanent location and displav of wood and rvootl products. in marrv species and forms. be uscful to you'/

Yes 60.8/o Nlaybe 30.2t,c No 91';

Would you visit it regularlr- to see l'hat's new ?

Yes ,\5.4o/o Mavbe 42.5% ,\o 12.1% lf a WIB representative, fullr- acquainted with wood species, grades. uses" and other technical details, and building codes rvere available on call to you. rvould lou make use of his knowledge and serr,ices?

Yes 73.8/o Maybe 24.5% \o l.7Vo l)o you feel the lumber indu-.tr' prolides you with sufli<'it'nt useful information aborrt Iumlrer spt't:it's. theil uses. chara< teristics. grades. aruilabilitt-. cost fa<:tors. etr'.?

Yt's. srrllicierit 22.:t%,

Yes. lrrrt could ust' rnort' l2.9rl

No. not enoush :118% l)o you havt' all the information rou net'd orr lhe spccifications and type-. of l.ood kitr:hen caliinets'?

Yes. 117.8(/o

Yes. but not enough 35.:i% No,26.9/o

Do you have on hand the in{ormation you need on plastic top kitchen counters.

Yes. 6\.I/o

Yes. but not enough 25.8% No. f3.t/o

II an up-to-date centrally-located large permanerrt exhibit o{ all styles o{ kitchen cabinets in many difierent species and finishes were available to vou. rvould vou take the time to visit it?

Y<'s, 56.8/6, Perhaps 32.5ric. \o. 10.?/i l)o you havc all the information you need on t'ngineered wood laminated beams?

Yes 59.4,/o'" No .'10.(r/r

Do you have on hand sufficient information on the various finishes recommended for different species according to u-"e?

Yes 27.7/o* No 72.3c/o

I)o you have on hand sufficient information about:

Hardwood {loors?

Yes 47.9/o No 23.2/c

Could use more 28.9/a

Wood windows?

Yes 6I/o No l6.6c/c

Could use more 22.4Jb f)o vou have on hand suffir:ient in{orma- tion about the use of architectural millwork in construction'/

Yes 5O.9/a" No 49.1/o

I)o you have suflir:ient <lata on hand aboLrt the use of wood in st,hools'/

Yes 6t:i.27o-'- \o :31.l.tft

I)o 1,or.r havr: sull'rt:icnt data on hand about the use of wood in t'ommt:rt:ial structures'/

\ es (>2.ij/o'' \o 117 .7 /o

Do vou have su{lit:ient tec}rnical data on hand regarding fi re-retardant lumber?

Yes 31.1/o" No 68.9/o

''' Although the answer was "Yes", many respondents requested additional information.

"During the balance o{ 1965 and in 1966," said Jim Cooper, spokesman for WIB, "we will be advertising in 12 magazines read consistently by builders and architects, to promote the use of wood in a speci{ic phase of homc construction. On the reverse -side of each ad seneral and technical data publications will be listed and oflert:d to thc reader. Wootl Information llureau will thcn send to each builder and arr:hitect thc data he requcsts.

"This program will put information about lumber and wood products where it will do the most good." concludcd Cooper.

Anyone requesting further inforrnation conccrning the survcy should write W-ood lnformation Bureau, llll Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90017.

Remodeling Outlook Still Bullish

Remodeling business entlusiasm is still running high for 1965 according to a National Home Improvement Council newsletter. The letter quotes two industry experts and some recent federal government actions as indicators for their favorable prophecy. Says industry economist Walter E. Hoadley, vice president of the Armstrong Cork Company, in the NHIC report: "Aided by rising incomes and rapid obsolescence, horne improvement activity once again is expected to achieve significant gains and represents an impressive area of expanded opportunity in 1965." Marketing consultant Seymour Kroll reports: 'oAt least for the first half of the year the economy has been strong. And with a continuing high level of employment, people will have the money to spend to fix-up their homes."

Other indications of good times for home improvement indicated were: House and Home Finance Agency has a fund of $50 million for rehabilitation in urban renewal areas. The fund is for making three percent long-term loans up to $10,000 per dwelling. The long near-dormant 203(k) program (rernodeling loans up to $10,000) has been liberalized. There may be a large scale test of 203(k) in a mid-western city this spring. If successful, it could cause a 203(k) boom.

In addition, there's increased emphasis on remodeling loans. Newspapers are printing more positive publicity about remodeling. Even the government is advertising home improvements' benefits on radio and TV. And not the least importanta new remodeling industry is emerging. The blue-suede shoe type is {ast disappearing, to be replaced by the responsible businessman who is ready to do an honest job at fair rates with quality materials. Consequently, home owner fears about fixing-up their houses is evaporating and more remodeling work is being ordered. Mav this vear be the best year you've ever had!