2.3 The Chicago School and the birth of the skyscraper

The Chicago School revolutionized architecture in the late 19th century. Architects like Louis Sullivan and Daniel Burnham embraced new technologies to create taller, more functional buildings. Their innovative designs laid the groundwork for modern skyscrapers.

Steel-frame construction and improved elevators made taller buildings possible. The Chicago School emphasized vertical lines and large windows, rejecting historical styles. Their "form follows function" philosophy shaped American architecture for decades to come.

Architects of the Chicago School

Pioneering Architects

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  Escuela de Chicago: Louis Sullivan- Henry Hobson Richardson - Casiopea View original

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  William Le Baron Jenney - Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre View original

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  Escuela de Chicago: Louis Sullivan- Henry Hobson Richardson - Casiopea View original

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• Louis Sullivan developed a distinctly American style of architecture emphasized the building's purpose through its design and ornamentation (form follows function)
• Daniel Burnham played a key role in rebuilding Chicago after the Great Fire of 1871 and designed many notable buildings, including the Flatiron Building in New York City
• William Le Baron Jenney is known as the "Father of the American Skyscraper" designed the first skyscraper with a complete steel skeleton, the Home Insurance Building

Influential Designs and Philosophies

• These architects embraced new technologies and materials, such as steel-frame construction and large plate glass windows, to create taller, more functional buildings
• They rejected historical styles in favor of a more modern, streamlined aesthetic that emphasized the vertical lines of the building
• Their designs often featured ornamental details inspired by nature, such as Sullivan's intricate terra cotta facades with organic motifs

Innovations in Skyscraper Design

Structural Advancements

• Steel-frame construction allowed for taller, more stable buildings by using a grid of steel beams and columns to support the weight of the building, rather than relying on thick masonry walls
• Curtain walls, non-load-bearing exterior walls that are hung on the building's frame, allowed for larger windows and more flexible interior layouts
• Fireproofing techniques, such as encasing steel beams in concrete or terra cotta tiles, helped prevent the spread of fire in these taller buildings

Technological Improvements

• Elevator technology, including the invention of the safety elevator by Elisha Otis in 1853, made it practical to build taller buildings by providing efficient vertical transportation
• Advances in electric lighting and mechanical ventilation systems improved the comfort and functionality of these tall buildings
• The use of pneumatic caissons, watertight chambers used in bridge and building foundations, allowed for the construction of deeper foundations to support the weight of taller buildings

Aesthetic Considerations

• The Chicago School architects embraced the vertical emphasis of the skyscraper, using vertical lines and elongated windows to draw the eye upward
• They often used horizontal bands of windows, known as the Chicago window, to create a sense of balance and rhythm in the facade
• Ornamental details, such as cornices and spandrels, were used to break up the vertical lines and add visual interest to the building

Key Buildings

Home Insurance Building (1885)

• Designed by William Le Baron Jenney, considered the world's first skyscraper
• Featured a steel skeleton frame, allowing it to reach a height of 10 stories (138 feet)
• The building's exterior was clad in brick and terra cotta, with large windows providing ample natural light

Wainwright Building (1891)

• Designed by Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler in St. Louis, Missouri
• Considered one of the first skyscrapers to fully embrace the principles of form follows function
• Features a three-part vertical composition, with a base, shaft, and capital, that emphasizes the building's height

Guaranty Building (1896)

• Also known as the Prudential Building, located in Buffalo, New York
• Designed by Louis Sullivan and is considered a masterpiece of his ornamental style
• Features intricate terra cotta ornament inspired by nature, with each floor having a unique design

Architectural Elements

Form Follows Function

• A principle championed by Louis Sullivan, stating that a building's design should primarily reflect its purpose or function
• This concept rejected the use of historical styles and ornamentation for purely decorative purposes
• Instead, architects focused on creating efficient, functional spaces that were well-suited to their intended use

Chicago Window

• A three-part window design consisting of a large, fixed central pane flanked by two smaller, operable windows
• This design maximized natural light and ventilation while maintaining the vertical emphasis of the building
• The Chicago window became a defining feature of the Chicago School style and influenced the design of skyscrapers around the world