The Monadnock Building

Paper Summary:

The paper explains the aspirations behind the development of the Monadnock building and the design of the architects Burnham and Root and later, Holabird and Roche. The paper also looks at later design assessments of the north and south parts of the Monadnock building. The paper relates that, today, most architectural historians believe that it is the north half that has no equal in high office buildings.

Outline:
Period
Precedent
Later Citations
Lasting Influences

From the Paper:

"The aspirations that brought the building into being were artistic as well as commercial--to create an architectural spectacle and also draw tenants and make revenue for the Boston-based developers brothers Peter and Shepard Brooks. The Monadnock's period and design locate it at the tail end of 19th century architectural grandeur, because of its impressive size and its elaborately crafted south half. But its older northern half, with its subtly curving lines and faint traces of Egyptian architecture act as a harbinger of the later modernist period and the Frank Lloyd Wright Chicago School. The lack of breaks and projections and utter continuity of line makes this part of the building look much younger than its construction date (Roth 176)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• "History." Monadnock Building.11 May 2008. http://www.monadnockbuilding.com/history.htm
• Roth, Leland M. A Concise History of American Architecture. Excerpted at Great Buildings Online. 11 May 2008. http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Monadnock_Building.html
• "Monadnock Building." Based on "The Monadnock Block" by the Commission on Chicago Historical and Architectural Landmarks. 11 May 2008.http://www.aallnet.org/press/Monadnock_History.pdf

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• Descriptive Essay # 111775 : "The Monadnock Building"
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• Essay # 52512 : "The Chrysler Building"

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