History Of The Willis Tower
analytical Essay
1686 words
I. Introduction
The Willis Tower (originally known as the Sears Tower) was for years the tallest buildi
ng in the world. The original planning and design did not envision this record as a goal to be achieved or as a parameter to guide design. Fazlur Khan’s design for Sears Roebuck not only met the client’s goal of consolidating its Chicago-area employees into one central location while allowing for anticipated company growth, but did so with an innovative and cost-saving bundled-tube structural system. This building was arguably not just the culmination but the fulfillment of Chicago’s role in advancing the towering skyscraper as a centerpiece of modern architecture. Its particular design exemplifies the “form following function” dictum in both the advantages and drawbacks of that way of conceptualizing buildings. Its aesthetics magnify the aesthetic features and the drawbacks of the huge modern skyscraper.
II. Body
The Willis Tower is 110 stories tall and 1454 feet high. Visitors can see five states from its observation deck on a clear day. The building has the highest elevator ride in the world. Its base covers two full city blocks. One way often mentioned to envision its bundled tube design is to think of a pack of cigarettes with nine cigarettes rising above the others. Two are pulled out to a middle level with two more slightly higher. Then three are pulled even higher with the last two pulled out to complete the design. Each of these cigarettes is seventy five feet square. The exterior design is that of a steel frame and glass curtain as pioneered in Bruce Graham’s Inland Steel building. The exterior frame is covered by twenty eight acres of black aluminum. Other statistics barely convey the superhuman scale of the Willi...
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...cheaply. However its aesthetic and human deficiencies reveal that form follows function succeeds only insofar as we do not let constricted or provincial ideas about a building’s function limit what it becomes in the lives of the people who have to live and work there. There is a sense here that the Sears executives who commissioned it got exactly what they wished for and what they paid for. Few people feel affection for it like the Hancock Center as a civic symbol nor would many take it as a source of inspiration. The Willis Tower will stand as a monument to Fazlur Khan’s engineering imagination and as an indictment of the aesthetic and social imaginations of those who could not conceive of a workplace where people did more than clock in and perform their set tasks and functions. Remember that the Sears people originally conceived of the building as a 40-story cube.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the willis tower is 110 stories tall and 1454 feet high and has the highest elevator ride in the world.
- Explains that sears did not set out with the grandiose intention of building the world's tallest building. the company wished to gather its chicago-area employees into a central corporate headquarters.
- Describes how the building plan consists of 9 squares, each 75 feet across, placed in a three-by-three grid arrangement.
- Analyzes how blair kamin contends that the willis tower is more an engineering feat than an architectural or aesthetic one.
- Argues that the building was a modernist building that superficially realizes modern goals of efficiency and centralization, but the client who commissioned it might have been short-sighted.
- Opines that the willis tower is an engineering marvel in terms of achieving size and height quickly and cheaply, but its aesthetic and human deficiencies reveal that form follows function succeeds only insofar as we don't let constricted or provincial ideas about a building's function limit what it becomes in the lives of the people who have to live and work there.
- Analyzes how fazlur khan's design for sears roebuck exemplifies the "form following function" dictum in both the advantages and the drawbacks of that way of conceptualizing buildings.
- Analyzes how richard keating decries tall urban buildings as a demonstration of power by those with the resources to bundle enough money and influence to construct them.
- Argues that the building is the culmination of sullivan's form following function dictum and reveals the strengths and weaknesses of that standard.
Related
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In this essay, the author
- Explains that the empire state building is a national landmark and symbol of man's attempt to achieve the impossible.
- Explains that the empire state building's design and construction are testaments to the creativity and determination of the people that made this spectacular building a reality.
- Explains how smith and raskob teamed up to build the tallest building in the world after losing the 1929 election. being the envy of the city was also a practical reason.
- Explains that the waldorf-astoria hotel had an excellent location at a busy intersection on fifth avenue.
- Explains that the architects for the empire state building were shreve, lamb and harmon. they wanted the building to be sleek, modern, and well lit.
- Explains that the otis elevator was safer than the ones previously used. the empire state building was mainly made out of glass, stone, and brick.
- Explains that the empire state building was built to 102 stories, beating out the chrysler building at 77 stories. president hoover pushed a button to light up the tower.
- Explains that the empire state building had a difficult time attracting new business. the depression lowered labor costs, so the building was dubbed the ‘empty state’.
- Explains that an army plane hit the 79th floor of the empire state building on july 28, 1945, killing 14 people and injuring 25 people. it took $1 million and a year of work to repair the floors that were affected most.
- Explains that the empire state building is recognized as a national historic landmark. millions of people have visited the observation deck on the 86th floor.
- Concludes that the empire state building exudes physical dominance, and remains a remarkable icon for all new yorkers.
- Describes the works of tamara britton, anthony burgess, craig a., and katherine m. doherty, the empire state building.
1571 wordsRead More - Observation of Chicago: Home: A City of Commerce and Industryanalytical essayThe place chosen for this study was Chicago. I chose to observe the Willis Tower, also known as the Sears Tower, at the center of the city at 233 South Wacker Drive. This is the specific given address for the building itself. The general area is known as the “Loop”. This is the absolute location that pinpoints it on the earth, and there are enormous buildings that surround it. The area is urban, and there are skyscrapers surrounding . The Sears tower is used for business, and so are the buildings around it. There are also many restaurants and other things to visit in the area. The Sears tower is the most noticeable building downtown because of its height, and it is well known around the world. It is a skyscraper surrounded by skyscrapers, making it one of the world’s major cities.
In this essay, the author
- Observes the willis tower, also known as the sears tower at the center of the city at 233 south wacker drive.
- Explains that the "loop" is an important place where the transactions of people in industry, commerce, and technology take place every minute of each day.
- Explains that the sears building is a focal point of identity for the area. it supports commerce, business, and the modern world.
- Explains that the older buildings in the area suggest that chicago was not always overcrowded. they are smaller in height, and most are not as modern as the sears tower.
- Explains that chicago was built to accommodate making money and conducting business. with time, the scope of wealth and the amounts of revenue generated have grown and increased.
- Analyzes how chicago's natural landscape, the lake, and the skyscrapers emphasize both factors and their integration together in the city.
- Analyzes how the geography of chicago is influenced by the degree to which humans have impacted their local environment, which is absolute in scope.
- Explains that the sears tower represents the importance of the "loop" in the region. it is 108-stories tall and is one of chicago's most popular tourist destinations.
- Opines that chicago is a landmark city and home to many generations born or raised in the bustling and heavily occupied streets of the city.
1297 wordsRead More - A Brief Biography Of Louis Annadorne Kahn By Louis Isadore Kahnexplanatory essayLouis Isadore Kahn, born Itze-Leib Schmuilowsky, had few buildings ever realized, but even so, he is often considered by many one of the greatest architects of the twentieth century. At the time of his death, Kahn was known by some as “America’s foremost living architect”. He was often noted for his use of materials such as brick and concrete masonry, and his development of a modern and monumental style which made use of simple platonic forms.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that louis isadore kahn, born itze-leib schmuilowsky, was considered one of the greatest architects of 20th century. he was known for his use of materials such as brick and concrete masonry, and his development of a modern and monumental style.
- Explains that kahn was born on february 20, 1901 in kuressaare, estonia. his parents had met in riga, while his estonian father was on army leave.
- Narrates how kahn was fascinated by the light being emitted by coals in the furnace. after immigrating to the us, he contracted scarlet fever and was too sick to go to school.
- Describes how kahn won a scholarship to study architecture at the university of pennsylvania, where he was instructed by the inspiring french architect paul philippe cret.
- Describes how kahn was employed by john molitor as senior draftsman in philadelphia. he toured europe, married esther israeli, had one child, and directed a documentary film about his father's life and career.
- Explains that kahn and his wife were supported by their parents during the depression. they collaborated with george howe and oscar stonorov on public assisted housing projects for the philadelphia housing authority.
- Explains that kahn's style of architecture was inspired when he visited the american academy in rome as the architect in residence. his architecture became more basic but still influenced by early modern architecture.
- Explains kahn's first work to show this style of architecture was the trenton bath house. it was a simple and seemingly uncomplicated design, but each space was well served and thought out.
- Explains that kahn had a heart attack and died in the men's restroom at penn station, new york, on march 17, 1974. his family was not told of his death until two days later.
- Explains that while kahn was alive, he had received several awards such as the aia gold medal, the american institute of architects highest reward, and the riba silver medal.
802 wordsRead More - Louis Sullivann Steel Essayanalytical essayThe aim of this discussion is to examine how the groundbreaking introduction of economically variable steel impacted Louis Sullivan’s overall design Scheme. The discussion will explore steel and the benefits it carried with it. Furthermore, the discussion will examine Louis Sullivan’s contribution to high-rise steel construction and what other where doing in the same period, comparing it to his innovative Wainwright building, in St. Louis (1890). The discussion will focus on and analyze an article published by him in 1896 ‘the tall office building artistically considered’, of how ornamentation and structural mass become one. With this, we can apply this philosophy of ornamentation to the Wainwright building. Through this exploration one hopes to gain a better understanding of how influential the introduction of Steel was to Louis Sullivan’s Scheme of creating a new American Architecture.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the introduction of economically variable steel impacted louis sullivan's overall design scheme, comparing it to his innovative wainwright building, in st. louis.
- Explains that a high-rise building was dependent on the strength of the walls to maintain the load. the taller the construction meant more strain was added to the building.
- Explains that steel was the primary thrust behind the capacity to construct high rises throughout the mid-1880s. by amassing steel girders, architects could all of a sudden make tall, slim structures.
- Explains that steel frames allowed taller structures, as well as bigger windows, which allowed more sunlight into the interior. no load-bearing walls, these allowed interior walls to become more slender creating a larger more usable floor space.
- Explains that the limitations of weight-bearing masonry forced formal and structural stipulations, and this new opportunity created a specialized and expressive change in design.
- Describes louis h. sullivan as one of the most distinguished architects to come through the chicago school of architecture in the late 19th centaury.
- Explains that sullivan was focused on forming an original american styled architecture, which would be free from historic limitations. his most accomplished influence can be seen in frank lloyd wrights work.
- Analyzes how sullivan's design for high-rise buildings is simplified, parting from historic styles and utilizing the vertical dissections of the building.
- Explains that louis sullivan's architecture is a blend of simple geometry and evident massing with detailed pockets of ornamentation in wood, terra cotta and stone.
- Argues that sullivan's architecture is irreversibly connected with the saying, "form follows function", but one would diminish a focus on structure and emphasize an importance of ornamentation, both working harmoniously.
- Analyzes how the guaranty building, buffalo (1895), and the wainwright building, st. louis (1890), exemplify what appear to be the vital components of functional design.
- Opines that ornamental decoration is repugnant to functional design and sullivan's overall architectural scheme has been addressed.
- Explains that sullivan's manifesto on the design of tall buildings has injured as a blueprint for almost every skyscraper built within the last 120 years.
- Analyzes how sullivan describes the skyscraper as the perfect emblem of the proud upward aspiring spirit of american man.
- Explains that sullivan was well acquainted with the advancements of steel before setting up his firm. the wainwright building was innovative and had never been done before.
- Explains that the wainwright building is an influential model of office building design and illustrates sullivan's theory and composition of base, shaft and attic.
- Explains that ellis wainwright's building was required for office space. sullivan portrayed the symbolism of his architecture as one of basic geometric and structural forms with organic ornamentation.
- Compares the influential nature of the wainwright building with other high-rise buildings of that time, which were generally in the neoclassicist style.
- Compares the pulitzer building and new york life insurance buildings, stating that the use of elaborate decoration to exalt the mere office building into a mercantile palace was the main distinction.
- Explains that the pulitzer building's facade is divided horizontally into groups of two stories under classical entablatures. there was the influence of pseudo-renaissance forms of palladian motives.
- Analyzes how sullivan's concept of primitivism mirrored in many ways the simplicity of the workplace plan. a tall office building did not require horizontal dissections or pseudo-classical details on the façade.
- Explains that the arrangement of wainwright building was similar to other tall office structures, since it emulated the same principle, the perpetual office arrangement plan.
- Explains that sullivan's article on the wainwright building, published in 1896, stated characteristics of the exterior composition that were also supportive of it.
- Explains how they treat the first story in a more or less liberal way, while the second story is based on the practical necessities, but expressed with the sentiment of largeness and freedom.
- Analyzes how sullivan's idea of oneness in the tall office building could be expressed. all men were alike and integral in democracy.
- Explains that the wainwright building was sullivan's first accomplishment in skyscraper design in which the concept of integrity entire form.
- Opines that the tall office building must be tall, every inch of it tall. the force and power of altitude, glory and pride of exaltation should be in it.
- Explains sullivan's philosophy that the integrity was accomplished by arriving at the purest state of art. only the ornamentation harmonizing with the mass could finish the expression of the exterior view.
- Analyzes how sullivan determined the primary ornamentation on the facade of the building, which would be made from ornate terra cotta panels. the structure and composition of ornamented spandrels and plain brick piers was in such great equilibrium.
- Explains sullivan's view that a building that bears no decoration could be magnificent, while the wainwright building is magnificent when the ornamentation and construction turn into one.
- Explains that a high-rise building's sight is small and compact, forcing the architect to refer to the 'typical plan scheme' of the time.
- Explains that sullivan was critical of architects who used neoclassical influences to inform their design. he gave extensive attention to polychromatic materials and ornamentation of the exterior of structures.
- Analyzes how sullivan translated the correlation between society and architecture in his works and achieving the organic architecture aspiring from the relationship between man and nature.
- Opines that sullivan's afterlife began in 1935, but chicago, where he erected many of his ideas, had remorse to its previous enthusiasm.
- Analyzes how louis sullivan's contribution to the high-rise steel construction revolutionized his design. the phrase 'form follows function' is hypocritical.
- Analyzes how the discussion explores sullivan's correlation between society and architecture in his work. through ornamentation, he achieves organic architecture aspiring from the relationship between man and nature.
2994 wordsRead More - Architecture of the New Capitalist Societyanalytical essayDaniel Libeskind’s winning design for the new World Trade Center takes a sentimental and metaphorical approach. He claims that the completed WTC would become the representation of America’s belief in humanity, its need for individual dignity, and its beliefs in the cooperation of human. Libeskind’s original design focused on restoring the spiritual peak to the New York City and creating an icon that speaks of America’s vitality in the face of danger and her optimism in the aftermath of tragedy. The design considered the city’s neighborhood and residents, rather than simply the economic demands of the commissioners. However, Libeskind’s revised plan that revealed in September 2003 altered his original humanistic vision of creating buildings that respond to the neighborhood, and an environment that will have richness and openness. Pressured by the leaseholder of the WTC site Mr. Silverstein, Libeskind’s new plan added an emphasize on the commercial purpose of the site. The marketability of office and retail spaces has become the major concern of the project.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how libeskind's winning design for the new world trade center takes a sentimental and metaphorical approach. the revised plan altered his original humanistic vision of creating buildings that respond to the neighborhood.
- Analyzes how the new world trade center project has stirred debates among authorities and the public since daniel liberskind first revealed his original mater plan in february 2003.
- Explains that architecture is the product of aesthetics, structure, and function that serves to address social needs, resolve environmental and humanitarian problems through built form.
- Explains that the most dramatic change in the revised plan of the world trade center is the more slender office towers. it was done to reduce density and provide more open space and fewer physical obstacles.
- Explains that architecture is an indispensable engine of the capitalist society to represent a singular vision of "ownership class".
- Analyzes how the design process of the new world trade center demonstrates how capitalist society influences the architecture profession.
- Opines that economic interest is not the single factor that has altered the architecture profession, but it is definitely one of the most significant factors.
- Explains that capitalism's profit motive is illustrated in almost all types of architecture in our society. architecture creates pleasurable experiences for its users and serves as an instrument to secure economic interests.
- Analyzes how architecture is commercialized to maximize profits for its tenants in the consumerist culture. architecture defines the physical environment, as well as the social structure.
- Explains that the role of architects has changed as the architecture profession has marginalized into service sector.
- Analyzes how the wtc project has cast on us a new perception of the american society, which determines that profit and self-interest are valued above public interest.
- Opines that modesty can show the rest of the world that new york has learned from its past and the american values.
- Analyzes bussel's "as the world trade center turns" and mead’s “close inspection of a capitalist world”.
- Cites christopher hawthorne, joseph a. demkin, karrie jacobs, peter j. larkham, and joseph j
1727 wordsRead More - The Gateway Arch Analysisanalytical essayThe book, “The Gateway Arch”, by Tracy Campbell discusses key points about the background on the construction of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri. In the United States of America, many monuments connected the history and the success of the nation. One important monument is the steel-made structure called the Gateway Arch that stands at a towering height of 630 feet, overlooking the Mississippi River in downtown St. Louis. In the book, "The Gateway Arch", historian Tracy Campbell takes readers through the history of the making of the iconic structure and the legacy it offered to the city of St. Louis. Through the acts of destruction, the determination of architects involved, and disagreements from fellow critics, the Gateway Arch faced
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how tracy campbell's book, "the gateway arch", discusses key points about the construction of the iconic structure in st. louis, missouri.
- Analyzes the role st. louis played during the depression-era and the origins of the iconic arch.
- Explains that the jefferson national expansion memorial association proposed a nationwide competition to find an iconic structure to honor thomas jefferson, the louisiana purchase, and other pioneers who succeeded in expanding america westward.
- Explains that the idea of demolishing historical buildings near the riverfront of downtown st. louis caused tensions. some agreed with the demolition idea, while others opposed it.
- Narrates how eero saarinen's unique design of the curvy structure made it appealing to lure more people downtown.
- Analyzes how campbell highlighted the life of eero saarinen and his deep passion for architecture.
- Opines that the book "the gateway arch" by tracy campbell was a great selection that enhanced the readers understanding of the history of st. louis.
- Analyzes how tracy campbell's application of his book, "the gateway arch," highlighted important aspects of american history in the city of st. louis. monuments like this continue to highlight the history of the nation.
962 wordsRead More - Louis Sullivan's Immaginative Architectexplanatory essayLouis Sullivan is often called the “father of the skyscraper”. He was a very imaginative architect.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that louis sullivan was born in boston, massachusetts on september 3, 1856. he attended the massachusetts institute of technology but dropped out by the end of the year.
- Explains that louis sullivan is often called the "father of the skyscraper". he was an innovator of beautiful ornament.
- Opines that sullivan is worth examining because he created many popular buildings that are still standing today. he had an apprentice for six years, frank lloyd wright.
- Explains that louis sullivan's philosophy was that "form should always follow function". he wanted to create a simple geometric form, decorated with ornamentation, and an american style of architecture.
- Explains that his philosophy is reflected in his buildings. his ornamentation in stone, wood, or terra-cotta was what he was famous for.
- Describes how louis sullivan's career began to decline after his partner alder retired and he was lonely and no the same. he wrote an autobiography and was buried next to his parents.
656 wordsRead More - Case Study Louis Henry Sullivan Architectural Adornmentanalytical essayLouis Henry Sullivan's architectural adornment has yet to be known by individuals simply because of the adept evolution from forms from nature, and the penetrating geometric structures and connections found through every one of his works, yet more importantly the humanistic condition of consciousness that has been proposed. Sullivan recommends that in construction design, works of art should not stand on their own as an accessory, but instead be produced by the standards of building proposals, design, objective, and form. Sullivan's various structures were principally borrowed from natural forms, and their application gained from geometric understanding; they were then transformed and modified to the steel sections and curves, and enlivened
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how louis henry sullivan's architectural adornment has yet to be known by individuals simply because of the adept evolution from forms from nature and the penetrating geometric structures and connections found through every one of his works.
- Analyzes how sullivan's "the tall office building artistically considered" illustrates a perfect tripartite high rise.
- Compares sullivan's retail establishment to the 1891 wainwright building in st. louis and carson, pirie, scott in chicago.
- Analyzes how the carson, pirie, scott building reflects sullivan's adaptation of his high-rise hypothesis to a retail chain.
784 wordsRead More - History of the Tower of Pisaexplanatory essayThe theory of cultural diamond comes from the components of different culture and societies. Culture comes in forms of national customs, variations of symbolic meanings and other forms. A society is the mass of people living together in a more or less ordered community. Together these two helps to form the building blocks of the idea of the cultural diamond, which helps others understand the significance of simple objects and ideas.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the theory of cultural diamond comes from the components of different cultures and societies. a society is the mass of people living together in a more or less ordered community.
- Describes the construction of the tower of pisa, which began on august 9, 1173. the tower stood upright for over five years, but began to lean.
- Opines that the leaning tower of pisa is an important monument for the city and a reminder of engineering difficulties engineers and architects had to account for when building the beautiful buildings of the past.
- Explains that bonanno pisano, the italian sculpture, is famous for the tower of pisa, which was destroyed by niall horan in 18 bce.
- Explains that the duomo depicts the main episodes of the life of christ. the gate is signed bonanno civis pisanus.
- Explains that the tower of pisa was built on august 14th 1173 and began to sink in 1178 due to the foundation being set in a weak soil.
- Explains that the halt was caused by the government being engaged in battles with genoa, lucca, and florence.
- Describes how the leaning tower of pisa was halted in 1272, and the seventh floor was completed in 1319.
- Describes how a u.s army sergeant was sent to check to see if the tower had any german soldiers in it. he noticed how beautiful the structure was and spared it from destruction.
- Explains that the tower of pisa was built for the churches surrounding it. the audience was the members of the cathedral churches.
- Explains that the social aspect of the tower of pisa is important to italian culture. the tower is a meaningful artifact for the churches around it.
- Explains the history of the leaning tower of pisa.
- Narrates ridet's "leaning tower of pisa straightens up." guardian weekly.
967 wordsRead More - National Security vs. the Right to Privacyopinion essayIn the next months and years, we as a society will rethink everything from privacy to business organizations to architecture. Businesses will look at Morgan Stanley's experience-occupying much of the World Trade Center-and think again about the virtues of further decentralization of operations. Just as architecture in the 1970s seemed to respond to the turmoil of the 1960s (consider the fortress-like administration building at the University of Michigan or the FBI building in Washington), we may see architecture change in the future. A...
In this essay, the author
- Opines that society will rethink everything from privacy to business organizations to architecture in the next months and years.
- Opines that most of our rethinking will concern law-how we will balance understandable demands for improved security with our right to privacy, freedom to travel, our free speech, and our policy of welcoming immigrants.
- Predicts a rash of proposals to improve security which will have varying degrees of impact on people's anonymity.
- Explains that the fbi is seeking greater cooperation from internet service providers in their monitoring of net traffic through the "carnivore" system.
- Opines that there will be much to do in international law-how civilized nations may justly-and effectively-respond when invisible enemies wage "war" upon us.
- Opines that the university students of today-not just the law students-are the policymakers of tomorrow. their civil liberties are at stake, as well as their universities, office towers, and 767s.
- Opines that the media is constantly telling us that america is changed forever, sometimes with the tinge that we will inevitably lose some freedoms.
- Opines that a democratic, civil society like ours, with rich procedural protections and robust civil rights, can survive.
- Analyzes how the challenger space shuttle explosion was more existential than september 11, 2001. it was a technological and political disaster that americans could quickly fix.
796 wordsRead More