Composition and Character

My photo
* * * Thank you for visiting Composition & Character! My name is Samuel Lima. I am an alumnus of Judson University's M.Arch program and the Master of Architectural Design and Urbanism program at the University of Notre Dame. I am passionate about excellence in the design of classical and traditional architecture and the creation of new places worthy of the care of future generations!

4.30.2009

Building of the Month - April

This monthly feature will aim to shed light on little known and under-appreciated but nontheless beautifully designed architecture. Enjoy!

April's pick is a 12 floor condominium on the North side of Chicago's Streeterville neighborhood. 1550 North State Parkway was designed by Marshall and Fox and built in 1911. The building is an American adaptation (in that it is quite tall) of a Hausmannian apartment. While neither Marshall nor Fox studied at the Ecole de Beaux Arts, the influence of the Beaux Arts movement is evident in this design (as well as several of their other buildings in Chicago).

Most of the exterior cladding and ornament is terra cotta.The inner lobby is vaulted and gilded. This section of terra cotta is being replaced, note the steel structure and arch framing. If you have a suggestions for next month's building (and it's within visiting range) let me know!

Posted by at

1 comment:

  1. AnonymousMay 1, 2009 at 4:22 AM

    Dear Samuel:

    Thank you for the comments in my blog. I´m following yours.

    The building you show is very beautiful and thank you for showing an example of how a classical designs can coexist with a modern steel frame.

    Chicago is the city where skycrapers were born, I think you will have lots of examples to show us.

    Can I suggest Sullivan´s Auditorium Building for next month?

    Kind regards

    Pfunes

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)