National Treasure Artist

Chapter 200 The Chicago School (for subscription)

Chicago, located in Illinois in the midwestern part of the United States, faces Lake Michigan in the east, one of the five great lakes in North America.

It is the holy land of modernist designers, the birthplace of American modernism, and the base camp of global modernist design.

There are many high-rise buildings in the city, and the aesthetic principles of modernist architecture are everywhere from the architecture to the overall urban planning.

High-rise, steel frame, large horizontal windows, classic and simple facade style.
A number of modernist masters were born here, and put forward their theories and research:
"Form follows function."

"Freedom from the shackles and shackles of eclecticism."

"Exploring the application of new technologies in tall buildings."

"The facade of the brief is advocated to conform to the spirit of the industrialization of the times."

The citizens of Chicago are influenced by it and influenced by it.

This piece of modernist architecture has nourished Chicagoans, making them have the keenest understanding of modern architecture!
Today, at the top modernist firms in the United States, SOM Architects, MAD Architects, and KPF Architects
Among the modernist architects in the United States, there are masters who have made their way into the world, designers who have just entered the palace and are emerging, and there are many young designers. News is constantly spreading.

Whether in the office building or in the studio, information is spreading rapidly.

A firm:

"China's Davidia involucrata designer has come to Chicago!"

"Where did the news come from?"

"On the official website of the American Institute of Architects, Chairman Ma Sen has sent a message that the designer Bai Gongtong was invited by him!"

"Hahaha, I guessed that the designer Bai Gongtong would come to Chicago. This is the paradise for our modern designers."

"Every modernist master will leave works in Chicago, and designer Bai Gongtong must be the future master of modernism."

"He's amazing!"

Designers of the young generation in America:

"It's incredible that the best young modernist designers are not from Chicago."

"Will the designer Bai Gongtong leave his work this time?"

"So exciting!"

"The designer Baitongtong is my idol. I am crazy about his works. Whether it is the Louvre Pyramid, the Sydney Opera House or even the Church of Light, my heart is surging."

"We in Chicago and the United States are the places where Bai Gongtong designers can display their talents unscrupulously!"

Since last year, Bai Gongtong has been a frequent visitor to American modernist internal magazines, newspapers and cutting-edge news pages.

Although Bai Gongtong has never been to Chicago, but has been to the United States, he has countless fans and followers in this city and this country.

"Chicago welcomes Davidia involucrata designer!"

The homepage of the official website of American Modernism has updated the news with big characters.

In the city of Chicago, two open-top Maserati sports cars, one red and one black, shuttled through the streets.

Rhythmic music comes from the car stereo.

The sports car stopped in front of the buildings and started continuously.

"The designer of Davidia involucrata, this is the first Lytle Building, the first generation of modernist designers, designed by engineer Janney, one of the original promoters."

"Designer Baitong, this is the 'Home Insurance' office building completed by Janney Designer, it marks the real beginning of the Chicago School, this is the first frame structure designed using steel materials!"

"Designer Bai Gongtong, this is the CPS department store building in Chicago, which was created by Mr. Sullivan, a pillar master of the Chicago School."

"Designer Baitongtong, this is the Chicago auditorium building."

Bai Gongtong, the focus of discussion among modernist designers in Chicago and even across the United States, is currently touring downtown Chicago under the leadership of Adrian Smith.

A number of landmark buildings are brought into view.

There seems to be a passion in this city, and this city is the first city that is somewhat similar to Bai Gongtong's memory.

It was mid-afternoon, approaching evening.

The two cars stopped at the confluence of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan, which is a great place to relax and enjoy the scenery.

Bai Gongtong, Pinellia, Qianhe, Su Mu, and Masayuki Kurokawa were led to a square by Adrian Smith.

"At the end of the nineteenth century, we had a fire like no other in Chicago."

Adrian Smith was still explaining: "The fire almost destroyed nearly one-third of the buildings in the city."

"In order to build the largest number of new houses in the shortest time in the fastest and most economical way, among the existing materials and construction methods at that time, our architects in Chicago chose a new architectural style: high-rise, iron or steel frame, box structure."

"The box frame made of iron is enough to bear the weight, and the outer wall no longer needs load-bearing function."

Adrian showed his thoughts, paused and continued:

"It was a new project belonging to the whole city. The fire made us first try to build a steel structure building, which in turn prompted the birth and development of modern architecture."

"We named the school of architecture brought about by the fire the Chicago School, and later changed it to American Modernism."

Everyone came to the square, stood here and looked towards the lake. They could see two breakwaters stretching far into the lake, forming a harbor. The two lighthouses echoed each other, guiding the ships entering and leaving the port.

A stone embankment lies across the harbor, dividing the harbor into two areas, inside and outside. The stone embankment is full of seagulls, forming a small bird island.

There is a navy pier on the north side of the square, and there are many luxury yachts moored on the shore, including a fireboat.

The square is very lively, there are old people, children, young couples, middle-aged couples
Some people stroll, some overlook, and some enjoy the evening with the lake breeze.
There are also young artists sketching and painting with magza.
Across the lake, looking to the other side, you can see the edge of Chicago city. Buildings are lined up one after another, delineating a majestic skyline in the sky. On the pointed roofs of several tall buildings, there are also flashing searchlights. It was as if a giant was blinking.

Everyone scattered in all directions, looking for their own souls to comprehend this beautiful scenery.

Davidia involucrata looked at the music notes composed of tall buildings and buildings on the other side of the lake, expressing her thoughts:

"In another world, the fire at the end of the nineteenth century also appeared and contributed to the Chicago School, a very important school of modernist architecture."

"The difference is also that during that time period, the world's four standard-bearers were never born, and the Arts and Crafts Movement that should have emerged and developed in Britain and Europe during the same period, and the Art Nouveau Movement after that, were wiped out after only a few appearances. .”

"Is it a trick of the classical genre or the butterfly effect?"

"It's very interesting that although the Chicago School in that world was astonishingly influential, it was short-lived after all. It was considered by the Americans at that time as lacking in historical traditions, lacking in culture, lacking depth, weight, and being unrefined."

"I thought it was just an expedient solution at a special place and time, and it dissipated in just over ten years."

"But the Chicago School in this world has become more and more prosperous, and even became the source of the modern school"

Bai Gongtong shook his head and didn't think about the change. He smiled lightly, staring intently at the row upon row of tall buildings on the other side of the lake, his eyes sparkling.

He seems to be talking to himself:

“This skyline can’t be pretty enough!”

(End of this chapter)