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 […]
Tag: architecture
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 […]
Skyscraper of the Day, Part 10
Revell Block, corner of Wabash and Adams. Adler and Sullivan, 1883 (demolished, 1960). (Art Institute of Chicago) Further experiments in the potential for hybrid structures of iron and brick came […]
Barry Byrne and the architecture of the altar
This upcoming Thursday and Saturday (September 19 and 21) Vincent L. Michael will sign copies of his new book The Architecture of Barry Byrne at St. Thomas Apostle Church, Hyde Park, […]
Skyscraper of the Day, Part 9
Palmolive Building, 919 N. Michigan Avenue. Holabird and Root, 1929. Night view from south. (Contemporary post card, collection of Thomas Leslie) The Palmolive’s exterior skin was utterly flat between its […]