Plywood Contrasts Featured In Country Homes

At Inverness, Ill., outside Chicago, principals in the plywood distribution firm of Fiddes-Moore & Co. of Chicago have just'completed two ranch-type structures in country settings which in effect are expositions of plywood.

The homes, designed by Architect Frederick E. Sloan of Golf, Ill., have siding of Resnprest Exterior type Douglas fir plywood and fir plywood for structural applications inside and out. Further, the interiors of the delightful homes present a repertoire of woods.. For numerous different hardwood panels were specified to enhance the atmosphere of individual living spaces.

Emory E. Moore and Jack K. Fiddes are the owners of the pleasantly modern structures. Both are well known in Pacific Northwest plywood circles, and Moore was in plywood production prior to entering the jobbing business in the midwest city.

These hardwood plywoods were employed by the architect for interior finishes of various rooms in each of the structures: white oak, walnut, prima vera, mahogany, elm, walnut, birch, gum and cyprus. In most instances the panels were stained to retain the natural wood beauty, but in some rooms of either house, the plywood was papered or painted.

While Douglas fir plywood is little in evidence in the completed homes, with the exception of the exterior siding, the basic construction plywood was used throughout for sheathing, subflooring and roof decking. Walls of the homes are sheathed on the outside with fu-inch fir plywood, and this same material in the 5/I6-inch thickness was utilized as sheathing on all interior surfaces as a backing for the finish paneling.

Both homes are of low, rambling design with attached garages. Extreme dimensions of the Moore residence are 93' l" by 69'7" including a large porch and the attached double garage. A wing at one end provides three bedrooms

Modera Note. Almoet complete crbseace ol triur, 3qucre lines in ceiling qnd gmooth plywood wcllg in the living roon develop modenr treqlmeDt. Pcneling qreund fireplcce is wclnut while other wclls <rre primc verq; fir plywood shecthing servea cs bccking" and two baths; center area is devoted to a living room, dining room, study and recreation hall. Kitcheil, breakfast riook, laundry and maid's room with bath are grouped at the end opposite bedrooms.

Extreme length of tl-re Fiddes home is 107' including the breezeway and double garage which, together, account for about 35 feet of the over-all length. At its widest point, the wing in which three bedrooms and two baths are located, is 53'. Central part of the home, appreciably narrower, provides living room, dining room, recreation room, kitchen, breakfast room and fourth bedroom with bath.

Exterior Douglas fir plywood siding was installed on both structures in 16" widths and with panel edges beveled slightly to provide horizontal shadorv lines.