The visibility of the skyscraper signified commercial success thus, companies often wanted a striking cap or tower-a unique skyline identity. Cities also competed in the height sweepstakes. Corporations wanted to have the tallest building. In addition, the skyscraper is more economical in urban locations where commercial property is expensive.īut the skyscraper also became symbolic. A tall building allows for intense occupancy. For one, they were a practical necessity: to provide residences, to centralize large commercial enterprizes. It's important to consider why skyscrapers were built. Gradually new materials were invented: aluminum in windows, stainless steel for sleek interiors, new kinds of glass. As early as the late 1920s air-conditioning was used. Timber scaffolding was replaced by stronger tubular steel scaffolding.Īnother technical development which made tall buildings feasible was the invention of the elevator, first installed in 1857 the electric elevator dates from about 1889 and by about 1900 the escalator was invented. Not only structural steel, but new construction methods were necessary for the development of the skyscraper, such as steam shovels, cranes, hydraulic jacks, pile drivers, pneumatic hammers, concrete mixers, and a host of other machines-all in use before World War Two. With steel-cage construction, the exterior no longer has a support function so windows can be larger. Metal beams can span great distances and support increased loads. Techniques for making steel, a more refined and stronger iron, led to new possibilities in architecture. The skyscraper is the most important development in 20th century architecture.
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