Bandelier Historic Structure Report: CCC Buildings

THE BUILDINGS (continued)

B-21, the "Kiva"

The CCC constructed this building (figures 114-117) in 1938-39 as the comfort station for the lodge development. The basement contained the central heating unit for the lodge's hot-water system and cedar-lined closets for the lodge linen storage. A utility room with an oil-burning stove separated the men's and women's rooms on the main floor. Hot air passed through wall registers to heat the building. The electric lights in the building were wired with an automatic time clock that turned the lights off when the building was not in use. 148]

The building's paint schedule was fairly complex:

Linen and heater rooms: ceilings and upper walls to top of closet casein paint — ivory color. Linen closet and walls to height of linen closet including work table gloss or semi-gloss washable oil paint color similar to 526 for toilet rooms. Doors painted inside and out after fitting. Shelving stained light brown, finished with boiled linseed oil, dryer thinned as required. Stain may be added to first coat linseed. Cedar lining left natural. Floors: Dehydrative tinted orange-brown, similar to other floors. Color and thinner in first coat only. Base: oil paint preferably gloss to height of cabinet base — color to match floor. Plumbing and Pipes oil paint, gloss, grey color. Toilet rooms: Floors: varnish type penetrating oil, color similar to 965. Base: gloss oil paint — color to match no. 404, height shown on plans. Include pipe support to toilet stalls. Walls, toilet stalls, utility room door: semi-gloss oil paint, color to match no. 526. Ceiling and toilet stall walls above partitions, including upper pipe support to stalls: flat oil paint or casein color no. 630. Oil paint preferred on metal; casein paint preferred on plaster. Vigas, lintels, entrance door: stain similar to other existing work. Skylight frame: oil paint color similar to 965. Interior of skylight to be painted with white lead and oil — white color. Exterior exposed wood to be primed with aluminum paint and finished with white lead paint tinted to match exterior plaster. [149]

When the lodge ceased operations, the linen storage and comfort station functions were not needed. The building was turned into a small storage area circa 1978 and then modified into a laundry for residents in 1985. With the addition of hot-water heating in the individual units used as quarters, the use of the central boiler was discontinued. The building received a new roof in 1981 and again in 1985. Water and sewer lines were replaced in 1983, and wiring and gas lines were redone in 1984.

Lyle E. Bennett designed the building.

Figure 114. Plans for the comfort station (B-21), 1938 (drawing 315/2034, sheet 1).

Figure 115. Plans for the hot-water distribution system for B-21 and the cabin units, 1938 (drawing 315/2047, sheet 1).

Figure 116. Although taller than most prehistoric and historic kivas, B-21 reflected architectural traditions indigenous to the area in its circular form. This photograph shows the building as it appeared shortly after construction. (Photo: Bandelier)

Figure 117. The function of the "kiva" has changed over time, but its form remains important to the surrounding architectural fabric. (Photo: Harrison for NPS)