NEH Grant- American Skyscraper:Transforming Chicago and the Nation conclusion

NEH Grant Day 7/Saturday July 18, 2009

Today is the final day of our program The American Skyscraper: Transforming  Chicago and the Nation.  It is a sad feeling that the program which I have been anticipating and planning for  so many months is now over.   Overall, it has been a valuable learning lesson, and experience which I would not have had otherwise. I feel that I have learned a great deal and that  my interactions with my Saint Stephen’s students will be enriched.   I am looking forward to seeing my Eoin boy this evening , after having been without him for  7 days.

I would like to publicly acknowledge my Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School friends.  Thank you to Mrs Pullenand Mr. David Snodgress, for excusing me from my on campus duties this week so that I may attend this program.  Thank you to Mrs. Gina Anderson for composing a stellar  reference letter on my behalf.  Thank you to Mrs. Denise Hartnett for  being equally as excited as I am upon hearing of my inclusion into this program.  I am grateful that you have aided my travel plans.  Thank you to my fellow staff/faculty  co-workers as well as school parents who have been reviewing my blog,  both as it appears on wordpress in it’s original form, as well as it’s second generation  on my Facebook page. I do hope that my enthusiasm and excitement of this adventure  have  been captured accurately.

And finally, thank you to the National Endowment for the Humanities for funding such an intellectually stimulating program as well as seeing a need in which to better promote American history to  our country’s teachers and ultimately to our children.  Thank you to Chicago Architecture Foundation for selecting my application.  This week has been a valuable learning experience. Mrs. Jean Linsner and Ms. Jenn Masongarb thank you for planning such a rewarding and enriching week of activities.

I am posting a few snap shots of  the University Center, 525 S. State Street.  It is my understanding that this facility functions as a student dorm for neighbouring DePaul University, Robert Morris College and the like during the normal school year.  In the

summer,  this  operates as a  secure,  inexpensive downtown hotel option. My room was one of  four  bedrooms in an apartment style unit.  With two bathrooms, there was no waiting for the shower int he morning! Youpie!  I can only imagine what a cool dorm  facility vibe this building has during the  school year, certainly nothing like my university days, I  can assure you.

After grabbing a quick breakfast nibble at the Panera Bread shoppe on the University Center, I finished my packing , my co roomates, Sarah the  art history teacher and Jean  the librarian  and I  made our way to the Santa Fe building with our bags for the final wrap up discussion set to begin @ 9am. As we entered a slide show of  snapshots  documenting the week’s activities and participants was  projected on our classroom’s screen.

How has this week changed how you are thinking about using architecture in your classroom?  What are you going to do with what you have learned this week? I think that I have learned how to  look at the contrasts of different buildings and the different lifestyle of each design period.  I have learned how to better question why a specific building in located in its given place and respecting its history.  I have also gained a better understanding of the history of Chicago and why is  blossomed from this particular spot.    Of course, I now have a crick in my neck from looking up most of the week, but it was well worth the minor discomfort!

How will  you share  this newly gained information and knowledge?  Personally, I have tried to maintain this blog to document the workshop activities, knowledge  that I have gained and fantastic adventures i have enjoyed. This blog  is viewed by my fellow staff/ faculty co-workers as well as my school community (school parents).   This blog can be viewed via  wordpress.com, as well as via my Facebook page’s  notebook widget. My school  library webpage contains a link to  the blog to facilitate  viewing.   I am averaging  15 views per day, according to the statistic counter.    As part of  my obligatory portion of the grant, I will be documenting an assignment which draws upon the knowledge that i have gained this week. While I do not have  concrete plans, I am leaning towards  a lesson which  highlights our new Saint Stephen’s Middle School (LEED) building, set to open January 2010 as well as highlight children’s literature which   employs architecture within  the literary theme.

How has architecture affected your way of teaching?  I have learned to let the building speak to the viewer, that architecture can elicit an emotional reaction from a viewer. I  have learned to pay better attention to the build environment around me. that the built world and the natural world are  juxtaposed each other.

Should you see any huge erroneous  facts, please  contact me to make the correction. Much info has been  delivered this week,  errors are  bound to happen, unfortunately.

By 10.30am, I had left with a few other participants who were sharing a ride to either Midway or O’Hare.  Vicki and I shared a taxi to Midway.  I will admit to being  nervous to make it to my plane on

time, after viewing the line ups for the departure security check points  on my arrival one week prior.   Luckily ,   I arrived at Midway in 25 minutes in  light Saturday morning traffic, I checked my bag , cleared through security  by 11.45am.  I would like to publicly thank Sebastien at the Midway Air Tran ticket counter.  He was so very excited to see my Canuck passport.  I am glad that I madesomeone’s day !  I am also thankful to Sebastien for  assigning me a  seat with extra leg room 10C, the next aisle  behind first class and thus making my trip home more enjoyable.    By 2.37pm, were were pushing away from the gate and heading home  to SRQ .  We landed  @ 6.06pm to an eagerly awaiting Eoin  boy and my husband at the end of the ramp.

As much fun  and rewarding as it was to be learning  about American  history in Chicago,  it was great to be home with my family in  Florida.

 

Remaking tradition: what is modern?

NEH Grant Day 6/Friday July 17th

Today’s topic is ‘remaking tradition: what is modern?’

We will be looking at …. what are the tenants of modernism? How do early Chicago skyscrapers compare and contrast with the work of Mies van de Rohe who drew on a tradition of architectural forms to reinvent the skyscraper after WWII?

Reliance Building

Our morning lecture  was delivered by  Mr. Douglas Gilbert, of Harboe Architects, The Design and Restoration of the Reliance Building.  As a lead architect on the renovation of the historic Reliance Building in 1995, Gilbert  will discuss how this building with its unusually thin curtain wall, is often seen as an important ‘protomodern’ building in American architecture.

Skyscraper was not intended by one person in one place. Power of intention appears over time , thorough the  building’s  life span. The is a gap in building construction in the Chicago Loop between  the 20s- 50s.  During WWII,  many people construction workers went off to war, money was scarce, resources ( such as steel) were scarce.  Modern styles buildings in Chicago  examples are Prudential and Inland Steel Building, Federal Center.

Harboe Associates worked on Reliance Building restoration  in 1995,  also the Rookery renovation (17 Adams Street). Discuss building with its thin curtain wall, is often seen as an important “protomodern’ building in American architecture. Reliance I typical of Chicago School style,  large pane windows with two  slender levered windows on either side to open for ventilation.  Currently, it is Chicago building code that these windows open  is the space inhabited is a space for residential purpose ( namely hotels, condos etc.) Also the defined arch indicate a typical Chicago School.

Great Fire occurred in October 1871.

Post fire 1880s-  architecture  began to become innovative in style. For example the Monatuck Building  in 1882.  While not highly ornate,  the thickness of the walls   at the base  are 16 feet thick  to allow for load bearing capacity.  The accentuation of the columns on the  front and back façade to e are recessed in and not  draw attention to vertically , yet,  width is accentuated by the  piers  which are drawn out.  This visual trick   gives the impression of the building being high, though not too high, as that the word ‘skyscraper’ scared many in the 1880s.  With the advent of Otis’s safety elevator,   buildings could safely transport people up and down with minimal effort, yet with  easing fears for safety. As business grew, only way to go was up.  Technological advances allowed for this.  Also, as business grew, it was possible to house the entire organization in one building.  Manotuck was seen by some as one of the first skyscrapers. Little ornamentation exists on the Manutock building.

terracota tiles in need of renovation

Home Insurance Building (1883) stacked floor building, first to use a metal skeletal frame to carry the load of each floor.  Jenny’s design is seen  as a the first skyscraper for this very reason, not only because of its height, but  this use of steel and skeletal framework, which is still used to this day.

Tacoma Building (1886) need to cover columns and spandrels, almost all glass in walls very little  masonry.

Skeletal frames allowed for  a quicker construction time,  building could be built in stages.  As steel frame is going up on higher floors,  lower levels which already had their skeletal frame could  being  installing walls,  doors, trim, etc. Early 1890s architects more commonly began to express themselves vertically before, architects tried to lower height of building visually as not to  scare people, tapering of building floors was common

Reliance Building was owned by William Hale in 1880s. Hale bought property and was interested in  land devlopement yet was also involved  in the elevator industry as an associated of Otis.  Safety features such as a motor control ans safety  brakes increased public’s confidence in elevator usage. Burnham  and Root were hired to design  the office building.  Tenants on top floors would not move out until their leases ran out. Thus, the architects, jacked up the higher levels and began building on the lower levels. Root dies in 1891 of ammonia.  By 1894, Hale  wants to knock off the top and re build the  now vacant portion. Charles Atwood died in 1895 ( opium addict).

The Reliance Building is an early example of a curtain wall. It is typical of the Chicago School:  iconic, minimal masonry, large windows.

By 1980s, building was in disrepair, a seedy area, filled with tarot card readers and  less savory occupants.  By the   1990s, the City of Chicago bought the building with TIFF monies ( regional tax funds generated from soley that area of town).  Monies were used to clean the exterior of grim and soot to show the white terracotta   exterior cladding.  Idea was to sell to a developer to manage.  Interior was kept as closely to the time period as possible, yet  challenge lies in matching with modern day building code requirement. Hence, the bird cage elevator system is new,  with a wrought iron  grill framing a  the elevator shaft.  The shat is covered in   the required  materials, yet painted and light in such a manner to give the appearance  of sunlight and airiness behind the grill.  The grill design is carried over to the  stainless steel elevator doors in a black grill etching. The tile flooring was replaced and recreated to  compliment the original design,  Turkish masons  recreated  the pattern on a  gluey web,  and shipped. When the mosaic tile was received, it was rolled out in a sheet , matched  pieces to fit, then cemented and grouted.  The result is an intricate rose coloured  diamond pattern gleaming on the lobby floor.  Lightening was replaced from the old gas lighting  to modern and safer electric.  The lightening fixtures are exact replicas of the originals .

The huge Chicago school glass windows required  replacing, as that the originals were  a ¼ of an inch thick and not wind bearing (  unsafe when the winter winds blow in the windy city).   New insulated glass fabrication occurred. Increasing safety and energy standpoints. Rollerwave and distortion on the float glass and heat strengthening,  thus giving the glass a slight aged distortion. A recreated cornice , designed to compliment the original  was installed.  While it sticks out three feet form the building, it will accommodate window washers and their  hanging scaffolding.

Our group then walked over to the Reliance Building for a guided tour with the CAF docents. Buildings in need of restoration or which were in the process of being resorted were pointed out.  By the by, teachers can stay in the Hotel Burnham , located at 32  N. State Street ,(what is now the renovated Reliance Building)  at a greatly reduced rate of 75$ per night, during  specific dates.  Call the hotel directly to book reservations at 312-782-1111 to ask for the “teacher time out” program. During our tour of the Hotel Burnham, Mr. Gilbert was on site to answer any questions.

Sugar Bliss

We broke up for lunch by 12.15 with a promise to be back for 1.30pm.  Since I was one block away from the  famous Sugar Bliss, I made a bee line right away  to pick up two of the most schrumpous cupcakes  of my life.  One was  regular size, vanilla, with a cream cheese frosting and coconut sprinkled on top, the other was a min cup cake, chocolate with chocolate/cappuccino flavouring.  I cannot articular in words just how wonderful both cupcakes were.  This is a definite stop  on any Chicago tour.  Right across the street from  Macy’s ( the old Marshall Field’s  store).  To Mrs. Pullen, my Head of School and fellow cupcake aficionado,  I have a brochure  for you to take note of its location.  While I can hear my mother in my ear claiming that cupcakes are not a nutrition lunch,  I did purchase a sandwich  at the café Around the Cornerin our Santa Fe building.  I then proceeded to the Art Institute  of Chicago’s garden for some reflection time in a splendid leafy green garden .   And yes, I enjoyed my cupcakes.  Immensely.  After admiring the  sculpture, I then returned to class  for our 1.30pm lecture.

Our afternoon lecture  was delivered by Paul Stienbrecher of Interactive Design Inc.  Paul’s lecture Mies  in Chicago : Why not all Glass boxes are alike.  As a member of the renovation team of Mies van der Rohe’s Federal center,  Steinbrecher will discuss modernism and Mies’s work in particular, as well as Chicago’s reaction to the glass and steel box. I think that it was a collective feeling by the group that  a bit more time could have been  focused on modernism and post modernism. While both styles did not happen during the  20s and 30s, at a time when Chicago’s skyscrapers came into being,  many of our children  can and do relate to the shiniest of modernism style.

Federal Building is best described as very linear, with little ornamentation.  One could almost ascertain that the reflections cast from neighbouring building onto the Federal Buildings windows are an ornamentation of sorts.   The entire ‘pad’ is covered in the same  travertine  from Minnesota,  both sites spread over  two blocks, for it was  Mies’ intention that the buildings in their simplicity appear  as if they are floating or hovering  over the site.  This out door flooring continues   uninterrupted as the interior flooring as well.  The glass walls often meet with a steel   vertical column in the middle of the column.  The  corners of the building appear infinite as the  glass corners do not meet  a column, but just simply end.   By standing on the plaza  the viewer’s eye can pick a random  line in the travertine  squares and follow the    seams  to meet up with a post  in each of the buildings in both directions. This echoes  an architect’s primary  rule of measurement: never cut a brick; plan a room size around the sick of the brick.  Thus, let the materials speak.   A geometric 90 degree angle  pattern is present.

Louis Sullivan believed that ‘form followed function’.  Mies thought this to be ridiculous. As a rational form, building can take shape of what it is  employed for.  Modernism in Miees is a standard. After WWII, anything you do in creation is evidence of rational design. And a rational act  has organization. We think in terms of who we work, not nature. Attempts at being natural does nto work.  Modernism is a different way of looking at the world (seeking answer in resolute).

We then  proceeded to the Federal Building  to compare and contrast  the current  building and the previous building on this site, the Old  Chicago City Hall.

Mr. Stienbrecher was one of the best lecturers this week, if not one of the best two, hands down. He was engaging, interesting, and very knowledgeable on the subject matter of Mies and his buildings.  I thoroughly enjoyed his  presentation.

A best practise field study  at the Federal Center of a guided observation, comparison contrast and sketching exercises.

Today’s discussions defined what is modernism.  We discussed   that the greenest building is the one which is currently standing by making use of  what you already have. By tearing out existing materials to replace with more materials is merely  creating  a higher level of consumption  and not addressing reduction of need.    How long can we use the term modern?Do we still call the building constructed int he 50s modern?  And for how long?  Post modernism is a mishmash of borrowed styles to create something new to reflect  what we are thinking at that time. Though again, how long can we use  the term post modern?  What will be the next style which emerges from modernism/post moderism?   it could be stated that architecture has little to do with forms by is a battlefield of the architect’s spirit.   Architecture  reflects uses  and needs of user at a given time.  In the case of the Federal Building,  the architecture reflects what the government means to us, to society at the time.  Who decides if architecture is tasteful?  Who decides if it stays or goes?

Sarah reading between the lions ( librarian humor)

Supper  at Ginoadarnos was planned but did not happen. Sorry Chicago friends with whom I work.  Yes, this means you Joni.  I will atone  for this horrible crime in the near future.  Upon dismissal it was threatening to rain, so, I ducked in to the  Art Institute  ( it was a freebie Friday, no charge for admission).  In addition to the many fantastic pieces of art work which I have studied during my undergraduate years,  I was totally  in awe of an exhibition of  art from the 2006 to 2009 Caldecott award winners by the lower level stairwell. ( For those of your who might not be aware, Caldecott awards are given out each January to honor the best in children’s book illustrations). Such a treat for me!

I then walked over to Macy’s ( the old Marshall Field’s building)  to get a better photo of the famous Louis C. Tiffany glass mosaic ceiling,  built in 1907 . It is  the first dome to be built in favrile iridescent glass as well as being the largest glass mosaic containing over 1.6 million pieces.  ”Favrile” (handmade) and the “iridescent effect” was obtained by mixing different colors of glass whilestill hot during the manufacturing process,  patented in 1894 by Louis Comfort Tiffany.

On my way back to my dorm room on State Street, I ducked into Filene’s Basement to  escape the rain.   I can remember enjoy shopping at Filene’s when we lived in Vermont, though I had no idea Filene’s Basement existed.  ( Of course it does?  How else would the building be supported without a basement?! Ha.).  A number of good deals.  After about 30 minutes, I  was able to get back to my dorm without getting  wet .  I began packing, working on this blog as well as working on my workshop evaluation.

No Chicago pizza, Joni. I hang my head in shame.

***********************

 

“Whatchyu talkin’ bout, Willis?”…..Iconic Chicago skyscraper Sears Tower renamed Willis Tower in downtown ceremony 7/16/09

 

The rise of the modern design firm…. Holabird and Roche: a case study

NEH grant-Day 5/Thursday July 16

Willis tower, formerly Sears Tower

Today’s Chicago Tribute ran a full page article, an open letter from the CEO of the Willis Group to all Chicagoans. The renaming of the Sears Tower was  the morning buzz during our discussions.

How does the story of the architecture firm of Holabird and Roche ( now Holabrd and Root) serve as a lens for investigating the relationship between Chicago’s architectural and urban history, and its becoming a modern city? How can an architecture firm systematised the skyscraper?

Dr. Robert Bruegmann, University of Illinois at Chicago  delivered a lecture Holabird and Roche: Architects and the City. By highlighting the 15 years of research on the architecture firm of Holabird and Roche the intent is to illustrate the firm’s architectural history with the urban history of Chicago. A migration  from rural to urban, mechanisation and the industrial revolution in the 19th Century in America are all factors which causes a push/pull   help form the  perfect storm to create  the desire for skyscrapers.

The Home Insurance Building (1855) designed by William Lebaron Jenny  is seen as the  creator of the first skyscraper. There exists a myth that the Great Fire  created the skyscraper city.  Truthfully,  what happened was that the people effected rebuild exactly the same way ( which is common after a disaster) as that the infrastructure is already in place, economics  drove a need  for shoppes to get back into business quickly.

Transit  ( as part of the infrastructure)  was needed for skyscrapers to work.  Since many people had gone to live out in the outskirts of the city,  travel into the downtown core to get to their jobs. Thus street cars were  installed int he 1880s, the first elevated line came about 1890s.

Mantouck Building was build in the 1880s for the Brook Brothers of MA.  They were motivated to make money and were not looking for design or a monumental icon.  Elevators became important in transporting people vertically within taller and taller buildings.  Otis , the elevator maker,  demonstrated a ’safe’ elevator at teh World’s Fair in 1853. Telephones and telegraph increased communication both within the building as well as between distant buildings.  This would allow  a business’s head quarters in one city and the actually  factory in another. Fire proofing allowed iron to provide a stable skeleton for a skyscraper, though by in casing it in mason (cement) would insult the metal in case of fire.  By 1890s, steel is the standard building materials for skyscrapers. it is stronger and a lighter material.

Why was is said that Jenny had the first skyscraper?  To glorify Jenny would build the cache of the birth of Chicago as a skyscraper city.

Several building booms  and then busts have occurred in Chicago ( and often felt throughout America).   1925-1929 building boom was halted   by the the Great Depression in 1929. A 1950s building boom, Post WWI,  ground to a halt during the oil crisis in the 1970s.  Building happening in 1980s and 1990s ceased during an economic downturn  due to  September 11th’s bombing attacks in New York.

Marquette Building

George Fuller revolutionised  the building industry by becoming the first constructor to construct a tall building, making his profit by  finishing the building prior to the contracted time.  Contractors were first used  on the Marquette Building.

Architectural firms became more responsive to clients and the city’s needs. Chicago was not intent on creating the monumental skyscraper, but made a contribution. Architectural firms ran along the lines of a business, intent on making money  from their clients.

William Holabird was a West point grad with a business background. Martin Root was a cabinet maker but considered the genius in the firm. Both met when hired to work in Jenny’s architectural firm, then struck out on their own just before  the Great Fire, and today has celebrated their 129th anniversary.

Workshop participants  then received a guided tour of the architectural office of Holabird and Root in the Marquette Building. My group was  lead by Architect Intern, John Howard,

John Howard, Architect

(hmm…that name sounds familiar?!) . Our group was shown some of the current projects which are  being design by this world reknowned firm.  Many of the current projects are for post secondary educational institutions, as that they tend be a more stable investment of time and energy, less to than a business which is at the wims of the economy. They are also working on a municipal library in Ohio and a Federal training campus in Arlington, VA  where civil servants will receive diplomatic training before being staffed in an embassy.  While the construction site is located in another state, one of the senior architects must travel  to the site each month of   measure the progress of the construction.

The lobby is decorated with a fantastic Tiffany Glass Company mosaics in lobby. Each panel depicts the life of Father Jacques Marquette and his settling of Chicago. While this building was constructed in the shape of a letter “E” with allows a maxium amount of sunlight into the offices.  The Elevator banks are located int eh center of the “E”.

Lobby of the Marquette Building

Running late,  our group was excused  to pick up a quick lunch, then bring it back to eat in the classroom.  Dr. Julie Goldsmith from the NEH , held a feedback session as to the progress or needed improvements. A number of participants voiced the lack of bathroom breaks, the rushed schedule, that the CAF’s famous boat tour was absent from the schedule of events,  the lack of respectful tone which had been felt by some, a lack of information regarding our expected lesson plans to produce, a lack of break time refreshments as well as a lack of information regarding our reimbursement cheques.  Having said that, this is the first time that this program has been offered, and thus it is a learning experience for everyone. The quality of speakers has been highly scholastic and all are very energetic and informative lectures.

Our master teachers then returned to the room to contribute our program.  The group then discussed  several primary sources, such a post cards and how teachers can incorporate post cards and census reports into their lessons.  Participants then verbally shared their ideas..  We began to work in primary sources into our proposed themed lesson.  I am hopeful that clarification of the expected format will happen tomorrow, Friday.

We viewed a 20 minute silent video from the Holabrid and Root  architecture firm, filmed in what is estimated as the 20s. This was capturing a parade and the construction of the Montgomery Ward building. It was amazing to watch the lack of safety standards, workplace standards which we take for granted. On many construction sites it was not uncommon to lose one worker per floor of the building.  The class collectively gasped as  we viewed footage of one workers operating a bellows, stoking a fire to  form the rivets, then throw the rivets up to another worker. the second worker was called a ‘bucker-upper” and was responsible for  catching this glowing hot rivet in a cup, then pass it to another worker to put in place and secure.

After dismissal, I then walked up North Michigan Ave. to further look at  the skyscrapers.  From street level, there are a number of things to watch for: other pedestrians, cars, taxis turning on a pedestrian light and such.  though looking up, the beauty and ornateness can easily be lost .  As I reached the John Hancock building, it began to rain , and I without my Gortex.  Bummer.  Since the red line subway was several blocks away, I decided not to go up  to the lounge in the Hancock Center to have a drink and enjoy the view, for fear that the rain showers would become a heavier rain.

 

Skyscrapers as visual icons

NEH grant-Day 4/Wednesday July 15, 2009

July 15 th is always a special day in the year. It is my anniversary. Not my wedding anniversary ( that’s November 8th, right Scottie?), but my work anniversary.  It is a special day I always share with Paula Heap, who began work at Saint Stephen’s the same day as I, on  July 15th, 2004.  Happy anniversary Paula. I have left a message on your telephone, as I do every year. Silly, perhaps.

It had rained last night, so the walk to class  at the Chicago Architecture Foundation was under a cloudy sky.  The view of our skyscrapers was very mystical amidst the clouds.

Today’s workshop theme   will discuss how  and why were architects visually representing skyscrapers in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries?  How did these images inform and influence public opinion and the design of buildings to follow?

Lauren, a master teacher, touring the exterior, Chicago Tribune Building

Dr. Katherine Solonson  of the University of Minnesota  delivered a discussion  entitled  The 1922 Chicago Tribune Tower competition.  Dr. Solomonson explored the impact to the 1922 Chicago Tribune tower competition had on the architectural community as well as the citizens of Chicago.The  Tribune’s editors, Robert McCormick and Joseph Patterson  predicted a new for a new building  to ’sell class appeal to the masses, not just newspaper”.   The acquisition of the site North of the Chicago River on North Michigan Avenue was possible with the adventure of a new  bridge to promote traffic Northward. McCormick and Patterson had enlisted in the war efforts  during WWI, were the  witness some limited exposure to European architecture  in Germany (Gothic) .  Both men were great fans of the Gothic style. While this was an open design competition,   there was some persuasive actions by the newspaper men.  The newspaper ran  photos of famous buildings  from other countries as a means to drum up enthusiasm,  Gothic style ran three separate times.  A subtle hint. By 1919 the Tribune  also saw this as a stimulus plan of sorts, to help restart a post war economy all the while  restart the  Daniel Burnham’s 1909 Chicago  urban plan ( of which we are celebrating its centennial this year) to develop  North of the River.

The  goal of the competition  was to inspire future development in the city as well as  to secure the more beautiful office

Chicago Tribune Building

building in the world.  McCormick and Patterson’s broader aspirations were to  position the Chicago Tribune as the greatest newspaper in the world ( as per their masthead), to position Chicago as the greatest city in the world,  to position American as the greatest nation in the world and finally to erect a skyscraper that  symbolized all of the above , within the city’s building codes.  This competition was capitalising on  the public’s ’skyscraper mania”.  Architects were  challenged to  create a skyscraper  that was representative of the American identity, using new technology, aspiring new development and architecture style. The foot print of the North Michigan Ave site was 100 by 100 feet square, thus lending itself to a tall tower construction, only way to build was up. This building needed to have a set back, and that the top 40 floors had to be empty as per Chicago’s building codes of the time.  Beauty, distinctiveness ( an icon in which to advertise) as well as being

Sculpture based on Aseop's Fables

practical and efficient were qualities the selection committee was looking for. We then looked at the submissions of Adolf  Loos, Gropius and Meyer (Germany), Jules Van den Hende ( Dutch) and Ludwig Hilberseimer ( Germany).  The impact of the competitions was a win win for America.  The design by Howells and Hood was selected as that is heavy in Gothic design qualities and thus became a WWI commemoration. A number of cornerstones are stones found by Patterson and McCormick from the battle field in Belgium.  Louis Sullivan was of mixed feeling  of the design.  On one hand, he adored the vertically and spiritual aspirations and not just materials qualities.  It was a vertical integration in Daniel Burnham’s master city plan.  On the other hand, Sullivan did not like the design as that it was heavily Gothic,  a style borrowed from Germany, and not furthering a new independent uniquely American style. He viewed the Gothic design of the Chicago Tribune building as  looking back on the past and not looking forward in an innovative fashion. Howell and Hood’s design garnered their design firm the  100, 000$ prize. ( it was hinted that Howells’ wife was on the Chicago Tribune’s Board of directors and this might have played in Howell’s favour.)

The second runner-up, who received 20, 000$,  still impacted American architectural history.  Eliel Saarien’s, a Finnish architect, designed a submission expressed  height and structure, was a spiritual aspiration. Despite  coming in second in the Chicago Tribune competition,  he decided to move to Michigan and worked at Cranbook School.  His son, then when on to become an architect and designed the TWA  terminal as well as the St. Louis Arch.  Thus,  America and the national architectural identity benefited from the runner up.

Lunch was a quick sandwich outside in the Chicago Art Institute  gardens across the street.  By now, the sunshine had come out and  the skies had cleared.

Our afternoon session was a fun one.  We walked across the street to the Institute , and walked through the art research library to meet with the Archivist and look at several  primary sources, blue prints for  some of the city’s skyscrapers.  We had a short period of time to look around the  center  hallway, at the display of  pieces of former Chicago buildings, pediments,   cornices, stained glass windows etc.  Many of us, also had a chance to  quickly see some of  the Art Institute’s most famous paintings in the Impressionist collections.  Dr. Julie Goldsmith, a Senior Program officer of the NEH, joined us at the Institute. She was attending to view the progress of this program, as that her bailiwick is the selection and dispersal of grant monies to fund these programs all across the country.

Joel Berman a local architect, demonstrated a best practise How to sketch like an architect.  Mr. Berman  discussed how illustrations influence the way we perceive buildings.  he introduced the group  to various drawing techniques for classroom use.  We  walked out side , across the street into Grant park (yes, where

Buckingham Fountain

Mr. Joel Berman

President Obama accepted the nomination last November).  Beside the  famous Buckingham Fountain (of Married With Children television fame), we  sketch snap shots of what is around us, looked at how to capture detail in an architectural sketch.

To summarize today’s  topic,  corporate buildings wanted to present a building to grace the city and image of the Chicgao Tribute building  to act in the public interest, according to Daniel Burnham’s 1909 City plan.   Architects and clients were interested in investing in beauty. New developments in architecture help to develop the American identity, in a post WWI era.

Supper was a fantastic ruben’s sandwich at Berghoff’s, on 17 W. Adams Street,  as per Dr. Esparza’s suggestion.  This restaurant, housed in a historical building from yesterday’s docent tour,  is famous for the Germanic foods.   The wood panelling, the ornate mosaic floor tiles give the interior an old world, turn of the century feel.   After placing my order, I could  imagine  it being a place were women might not have been allowed at one time,  such as a gentleman’s smoking club or such;  an “old boys club”.  And the ruben’s sandwich wasn’t  half bad either.  Saucy, but not too drippy. Yummie. Do they deliver to Florida, I wonder?

Sugar Bliss, State Street, cupcake emporium

Then to Sugar Bliss, on State Street, in an homage to Mrs. Pullen.  It is a little known fact that my Head of School is a fellow cupcake gourmand.  Sadly, the shoppe was closing as I arrived.  I left with a promise to return tomorrow.

The remainder of my evening was spend looking around  the Macy’s across the street.  While, yes, we do have a Macy’s in

Bradenton, and a better grade store in Sarasota, this location was the former Marshall Field’s building.  The interior  is decorated with Corinthian columns,   a mosaics tile ceiling, nothing like our Sarasota store. Ironically, this Macy’s location houses a Sarah’s Pastries and Candies emporium,one of Martha Stewart’s favorite bakeries in Chicago.

 

Blue Ridge Parkway Post Drive and Farewells

Saturday July 12th, 2008  was a day of quickly packing up the remains of our dorm rooms, of saying goodbye to some, for others it is a ’see you at the next NEH workshop’.   We packed up,  had a quick breakfast and then boarded the bus for a final  drive along the parkway. We re-visited several of the stops we made on our first night here.  Obviously the weather was a major difference We enjoyed sunshine and bright weather today.  We recorded our impressions in our journal ( which was submitted once we returned home).  We reflected on the various lectures from the past week and how it affected our enjoyment of this road.

Amy from Philadelphia and I on the BRP

We then returned to the Campus to complete a on line evaluation for the NEH.  After that, I snuck out to take a few more snaps of campus and the pretty area.  I think that if I had the opportunity, I would love to spend four years studying for a degree here.  The opportunities to learn and grow would be invaluable.

By 2.30pm, I was on the road with a few other participants to the Greensboro Airport , in Greensboro, North Carolina for a 8pm flight. perhapss a long time to wait in an airport, though it was lovely to have the quiet time to sit and read quietly.

My airplane in Greensboro, North Carolina

 

Blue Ridge Parkway and its origins….

The morning of July 7th, 2008  began with a breath taking vista as I left my dorm to go to breakfast on the campus of Appalachian University, here in Boone, North Carolina. I am amazed at the state of ‘pretty’ which exists on the campus. Perhaps that is a generic term, though the university has been well thought out and is moving towards a definitive direction to stimulate learning in this area.

I cannot go any further before proclaiming my delight ….a brand new library facility has improved the campus and student’s access to information.

Belk Library, Appalachian University

Opened in 2004, Belk Library consists of five floors, a central rotunda which funnels light to the main floor, fireplaces, coffee shoppe and technology to optimise learning ( abundant computer terminals, on line databases, projection devices, wired auditoriums etc.) Of course, I gravitated to the basement level, which was anything but damp and dingy, lower level windows brightened a children’s collection space.

Main Lobby Rotunda, Belk Library

This facility not only services university students in the school library and elementary education programs, but also the Town of Boone’s children. Traditional story times and other such programming bring the local children into this building and exceed their information needs.

The morning began with a lecture by Dr. Anne Mitchell Whisnant, author of Super-Scenic Motorway: A Blue Ridge Parkway History . Dr. Whisnant produced an over view of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the reason for it’s being, history of its creation and touched on the notion of framing views of nature by taming the natural world. What is the public good? How do you identify it and achieve it fairly? Is imminent domain fair for who exactly? All environments and landscapes have an arena of politics behind it. Existing interpretations and stories should be looked at with a critical eye. This discussion touched on the creation of the parkway for the good of certain parties, though with power, such as Hugh Morton, owner of Grandfather Mountain a privately owned piece of land with a right of way to the BRP.

Proceeding this , a small break out discussion group met to look over further primary sources, including a handwritten letter from Mr. S.A. Miller, an Appalachian farmer pleading to President Roosevelt to save his farm land. Again, the theme of imminent domain and fairness came into play.

After lunch, we departed for a tour of Grandfather Mountain to admire the

Linn Cove Viaduct Visitor's Center, North Carolina

views and better understand the shape of the landscape. A stop at the Linn Cove Viaduct Center documented the final section of the BRP, completed in 1987. This viaduct, near mile post 290 ( or known as Section 2H) was estimated to cost $4 million to construct, though came in at $10 million. Part of the delay in completion of this final section of the parkway was the debate over the routing of the Parkway to Grandfather Mountain.

Sarah Potwin, Grandfather Mountain, 5200 feet above sea level

We then returned to campus for supper and time to read. As part of my course requirements, I am to write a lesson plan which will include material from this week’s workshop. Currently, I am playing around with a theme of fairness (imminent domain might be a big word for my elementary students) and how fairness cannot be achieved for all. I am also looking at incorporating a geographical element into my lesson, though at this point these are simply vague notions.

 

A Falcon’s summertime time plans….

What are you doing this summer? Many of our Falcons are traveling this summer. Many have sent postcards back,listing their tales of adventure. Please  feel free to send a post card to :315-41st Street West, Bradenton, FLA 34209.I shall add it to our library display in September.

Summer time is here and a number of us are on campus, working hard to make the 2008/2009 school year a wonderful  year for our students.  Personally,  I am  on campus  for the first three weeks in June, cleaning and compiling an inventory of our 15 078  library items ( books, videos, DVDs etc).   In  the middle of July,  I will have a week to place orders for new books, AR tests, renewing our online databases and such.  I shall also be ordering our birthday books for our 2008/2009 school year.  This is a fun program in which we celebrate a student’s birthday by purchasing a new library book for all chidlren  to enjoy.  These special books are given out in chapel and have a bookplate announcing the child’s name and birth date.  Every attempt is made to meet the child’s interests and reading level. (If you would like to enrol your child in this program, please  contact me for more information, or click on our birthday book web link.)

Luckily,  I will be able to spend four weeks with Eoin.  I anticipate that we will hang out, go to the beach, swim in our community pool and other summertime fun.  The Potwin clan is eager for  a few days in Orlando: to hang out by the pool and perhaps visit the Magic Kingdom.  Mickey Mouse here we come!

In a future blog, I shall be documenting my adventures in Boone, North Carolina.  A wonderful National Endowment for the Humanities grant has been bestowed upon me. During the week of July 7th, I shall be in the Applachians  studying the history, the culture and the economic impact of the Blue Ridge parkway.  While this might appear to be a leap from children’s literature,  I am interested in the natural world.  While living in Vermont and New York State,  it was common for me to spend my weekends in the Adirondack Mountains of Northern New York.  I am eager to experience the Appalachians and draw upon its similarities to the ADK.  (See link to Paul Smith College, Saranac Lake, New York) .

Friends, please keep reading this summer!  See you on campus on August 20th.