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skyscraper architecture http://www.coshe.com/search/ The architectural design
of the 20th century skyscrapers has been redefined due to the advancement of our
modern technology. Benny Louie Humanity 450 Dr. Maureen Schmid 17 May 1999 The
architectural design of the 20th century skyscrapers has been redefined due to
the advancement of our modern technology.
In our modern society, the
architectural design of skyscrapers is changing the downtown landscape of
metropolitan areas. Due to the change of technologies, it has changed the
architectural design of skyscraper dramatically in terms of the its function,
design structures, heating and cooling systems and it social status in society.
The basic function of the architecture is to provide a roof over peoples’ head.
The main purpose of architecture is to act as a shelter for people to protect
themselves against Mother Nature.
As civilization development advances, we
increased our knowledge and became more creative. People start to design
buildings for means of displaying wealth and social status. The skyscraper fits
the criteria to show the social status of such building with great height and
elegance to the society.
According to O’Gorman, “architecture is a form
language, of communication.” (P.89) This communication is represented in the
forms of texture, shape and style that reflects certain period of time. In the
early period, architectures were associated with style and culture.
“The Greeks
built marble temples with Doric, Ionic or Corinthian columns. Egyptian
architecture used heavy lotus columns, massive battered walls and pyramidal
forms. The Gothic style used point arch, vast areas of stained glasses, pointed
rib-vault construction.” (P. 92) Each had its unique characteristic feature to
express its message.
In the 20th century architectural design, architecture is
no longer viewed as simple shelter to provide a roof over peoples’ head.
Architectures are designed with a more environmental conscious issue like cost,
energy conservation and practicality of the structure. The interior environment
is designed according to the space function of the structures.
For example, “a
dance hall, needs a large open-space with sufficient room for the band and a bar
and maybe for tables and chairs around the edge so that people can sit and
chat.” (Conway & Rowan) This concept always applies to real life situations.
People don’t rent more space than what they needed for.
For example, a three
person family will not rent a 3 bedroom apartment, unless they are financially
well off. In a Victorian house, there are different corridors for different
users. The servants don’t use the same passage as the owners’ family. (Conway &
Rowan, P.4) This is similar to large hotels, employees have to use the employees
entrance to access the building. These passages are not well maintained as the
front of the house.
“The interior environment should be safe for working, living
or housing objects.” (Conway & Rowan, P.17) This means that building should be
at a comfortable temperature, with sufficient lighting, ability to control the
transmission of noise, provide enough space for pipes, wires and ventilation
ducts. Overall the architects has to take in consideration of the climates
differences and regional variations of the building in designing a suitable
interior environment for today’s standard.
The skyscraper is defined as a
“building with exceptional height completely support by a frame-work, as of
girders, from which the walls are suspended, as opposed to a building supported
by load-bearing walls.” (www.infoplease.com) The function of the skyscraper is
serve as a commercial purpose.
The Sears Tower is fine example of it, not only
the being headquarter for Sears and Roebuck company but it also has an
observation deck for the public. The skyscraper has always associated with
wealth and power.
To the general public, big is good; in terms of building, the
taller the better. People had been fascinated with skyscraper ever since the
birth of the first skyscraper in 1895. It was a 10-stories high steel frame
structure designed by William Le Baron Jenney in 1885, named “Home Insurance
Building.” (Bennett, P.40) Over the year as steel and concrete production
technologies reach a higher level, architects use these new materials to reach
greater height in the design of skyscrapers.
The improvement of the skyscraper
structures starts from 10 floor stories to high as 150 floor stories high. The
Reliance Building Chicago, USA, in 1895, 15 stories high used the semi-rigid
steel frame. The semi-rigid steel frame was held together with steel beams and
connected by rivets. (Bennett, P.42) The 60 stories high First Wisconsin Center,
Milwaukee, USA in 1974 employed the steel belt truss with framed shear truss.
This structure used the horizontal trusses at the upper and lower stories to
enhance the framed shear truss. (Bennett, P.44) The Sears Tower, Chicago, USA,
in 1974, 110 stories high used the Bundled tube. The bundled tubes were made up
of a cluster of connected frame tubes, reinforced by steel beams at each story
to increase the strength of the structure.
Various tubes terminated at different
level to further strengthen the bundled tubes at the center. (Bennett, P.44) The
future structure was the Superframe, which can reaches at least 150 stories
high. It used the concept of the Eiffel Tower with framed tubes connected by
horizontal trusses. (Bennett, P.45) It was the innovation of the structural
design that enables skyscrapers to reach new height.
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