The Chicago School of Architecture: A History of Commercial and Public Building in the Chicago Area, 1875-1925

by Carl W. Condit

This thoroughly illustrated classic study traces the history of the world-famous Chicago school of architecture from its beginnings with the functional innovations of William Le Baron Jenney and others to their imaginative development by Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright. The Chicago School of Architecture places the Chicago school in its historical setting, showing it at once to be the culmination of an iron and concrete construction and the chief pioneer in the evolution of modern architecture. It also assesses the achievements of the school in terms of the economic, social, and cultural growth of Chicago at the turn of the century, and it shows the ultimate meaning of the Chicago work for contemporary architecture.

"A major contribution [by] one of the world's master-historians of building technique."—Reyner Banham, Arts Magazine

"A rich, organized record of the distinguished architecture with which Chicago lives and influences the world."—Ruth Moore, Chicago Sun-Times

Genres: Architecture

238 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1964

About the author

Carl Condit was an American historian of urban and architectural history, a writer, professor, and teacher. He wrote numerous books and articles on the history of American building, especially in Chicago, and founded the History of Science Department at Northwestern University, where he taught for over 30 years.

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some what tedious but very complete.

[Tom Bantle · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting study of Chicago non-residential architecture in the era when Chicago was inventing skyscraper architecture. The best thing about it is the numerous photographs in which you can identify the features of the buildings Condit is describing.

The elephant in the room is the bare mentioning of Frank Lloyd Wright. Obviously Condit believes that Wright's works have been well described in other works. And many of Wright's best works are residential. However with the title of this book one would expect more at least about Wright's public buildings such as Midway Gardens and Unity Temple.

Condit is generally objective in his analysis, although he does have definite opinions about what does and does not work in architecture. Because of the numerous illustrations, the reader can assess whether he agrees with Condit or not. Footnotes and a bibliography provide ample direction for further exploration. Worth while if you have been or are going to Chicago and have an interest in architecture.

[Andrew Wiese · Rating 5 out of 5]

interesting review of the building development in chicago between 1871 (the year of the great chicago fire) and 1930. cool to learn about the progression from mortar and brick buildings to steel skeleton construction of which we are familiar with today. this advancement in technology brought about daring engineers and architects who built taller and taller buildings and created a new architectonic design for these buildings.

[Ted Rine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Would recommend if you are interested in learning about architecture, the history of Chicago, or the changes in building technology due to the Chicago fire.