Reverent. Classical. (Well, neoclassical.) Uncontroversial in design, though the subject has a few fringe detractors. The Lincoln Memorial began to take shape in 1915. By then, architects and others had […]
Tag: architecture
200 Years of Illinois: Mies van der Rohe in the House
On October 7, 2004, the National Register of Historic Places added the Farnsworth House, located near Plano, to its list of significant locales. Beautiful, yet a challenge to human habitation, […]
Throwbacklist Thursday: Women’s Work
Well, less than 100 years after women won the right to vote, one of them is running for the White as the nominee of a major political party. Tonight, Hillary […]
Excelsior! continued
You night think a skyline would maintain a certain consistency, an unchanging nature that reflected the fact that building a skyscraper is one of humanity’s more complex undertakings. Yet recent newsicles […]
Happy National Skyscraper Day
Once rare wonders of the world targeted by giant apes, skyscrapers have become an indelible aspect of the urban experience. Their majesty inspires local pride, their beauty elicits amazement, and […]
Skyscraper of the Day, Part 20
Field Building, 135 S. La Salle Street. Graham, Anderson, Probst, and White, 1934. View from southeast. (Contemporary post card, collection of the author) Announced on September 29, 1929 just days […]
Skyscraper of the Day, Part 19
Conway Building, corner of Clark and Washington Streets. D. H. Burnham & Co., 1913. View from northeast. (Contemporary post card, collection of the author) Four large neoclassical office blocks designed […]
Skyscraper of the Day, Part 18
Chicago Stock Exchange, view from northeast. (Contemporary post card, collection of the author) The Stock Exchange, a project to fund a new trading room through the provision of office […]
Skyscraper of the Day, Part 17
Rookery Building. View from northwest (contemporary post card, collection of the author). The Rookery became Chicago’s center of architectural, contracting, engineering, and subcontracting expertise. It was intended to be the […]
Skyscraper of the Day, Part 16
Masonic Temple, corner of Randolph and State Streets. Burnham and Root, 1892 (demolished, 1939). (120 Photographic View of Chicago, Rand McNally, 1912) Buildings braced by sway-rods typically had two or […]
Skyscraper of the Day, Part 15
Reliance Building. View from northeast. (120 Photographic View of Chicago, Rand McNally, 1909) The Reliance emerged from unpromising circumstances. Elevator engineer and contractor William E. Hale hired Burnham & Root […]
Skyscraper of the Day, Part 14
Tacoma Building, corner of La Salle and Madison Streets. Holabird and Roche, 1889 (demolished, 1929). (contemporary postcard, collection of the author) Masonry veneers began to appear on Chicago skyscrapers in […]