The Chrysler Building

Paper Summary:

The paper describes the Chrysler Building and its art deco architectural style. The paper describes the architect William Van Alen, the building's principles of design and the histroical context of the style. The paper concludes that the building is an unforgettable sight in America.

Outline:
Introduction
The Architect
Historical Context and Description of the Design
Composition and Organizational Principles of Design
Formal Elements of Form
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The Chrysler Building in New York City was the tallest building in the world between the years 1930 and 1931, a time when the city was witnessing tight competition to build the tallest skyscraper in the world. Constructed from 1928 to 1930, this building is an architectural marvel designed by William Van Alen (1883-1954) and commonly recognized as the best example of Art Deco style skyscrapers as well as an ideal monument to American capitalism (Matthews and Artifice Inc., 1994). The most fantastic Art Deco feature of the Chrysler Building happens to be its 185 foot needle-thin chrome spire weighing 27 tons, "a series of sunburst punctuated by triangular windows," which Van Alen had secretly built inside the building before the entire structure could be seen to rise higher than the Bank of Manhattan and the Eiffel Tower ("Daniel's Manhattan")."

Sample of Sources Used:

• "American Architecture." 1993. MSN Encarta. Available at http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_461575773_7/American_Architecture.html. Accessed 21 November 2006.
• "An Icon of the Modern Age." Available at ftp://steinmetz1@ftp.fortunecity.com/English/ArtDeco/chrysler/Chrysler.htm#liste. Accessed 21 November 2006.
• "Chrysler Building." Wikipedia. Available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_Building. Accessed 21 November 2006.
• "Daniel's Manhattan Architecture." Available at http://users.commkey.net/daniel/chryslea.htm. Accessed: 21 November 2006.
• Gyure, Dale Allen. (2002). "Chrysler Building." St. James Encyclopedia of Pop Culture. Available at http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_g1epc/is_tov/ai_2419100248. Accessed 21 November 2006.

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