In the late 19th century, Chicago was a magnet for aspiring architects. The city was forced to rebuild after the destruction wrought by the Great Fire of 1871 and also to expand to accommodate a surge in population. The seemingly endless demand for taller and more sophisticated buildings offered young draftsmen an unprecedented opportunity to influence the design of the American skyscraper. Beautifully illustrated with hundreds of black and white drawings, plans, and photos, this thick book documents the history of these draftsmen, the organization they founded, and its role in shaping architectural education and modern architectural practice.
In the late 19th century, Chicago was a magnet for aspiring architects. The city was forced to rebuild after the destruction wrought by the Great Fire of 1871 and also to expand to accommodate a surge in population. The seemingly endless demand for taller and more sophisticated buildings offered young draftsmen an unprecedented opportunity to influence the design of the American skyscraper. Beautifully illustrated with hundreds of black and white drawings, plans, and photos, this thick book documents the history of these draftsmen, the organization they founded, and its role in shaping architectural education and modern architectural practice.