Monadnock's Impact On The Development Of Skyscrapers

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Introduction.
The late 19th and early 20th century was an important time and turning point in the eventual development of skyscrapers. It is during this time that various technological and design aspects that would eventually shape the future of skyscrapers started to gain root. Two important buildings developed between this time periods include the Empire State building in New York and Monadnock building in Chicago. Although they were built about 40 years apart, they are much more similar than one would imagine. They both were of great significance and impact on the design, economics, and society although they were built in completely different eras.
The Monadnock Building, Chicago.
Christened the fountainhead of modern architecture, the Monadnock …show more content…

As a bold building that challenged what was considered acceptable, the Monadnock is a building that has greatly shaped the course of skyscrapers not only in Chicago but the world over. The clean façade employed on the Monadnock is now extensively used on most modern skyscrapers. The decadent ornamentation and protrusions of the previous era gave way to a more focused and functional building style.
At one time the building was one the tallest and biggest self-supporting building ever. This would not have been possible without the iron reinforcement cage support employed to add more reinforcement strength to the wall. People consequently discovered that steel was much better than iron and would make a very good reinforcement as well as allow for taller skyscrapers.
Impact on Economics and Society.
The Monadnock was of great economic and societal impact not just in South loop but also to the greater City of Chicago. The huge success of the building helped catalyze the building of many more skyscrapers in the vicinity which led to the development of a new business center in the area. This rapid development of buildings and the renewed interest in Chicago as a business hub helped revitalize its economy only 22 years after the city was devastated by a destructive fire. exist also benefited due to the advent of taller buildings that could accommodate more enterprises as well as much more objectified and focused

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