Daniel H. Burnham: his legacy to American architecture
No Thumbnail Available
Meeting name
Sponsors
Date
Journal Title
Format
Thesis
Subject
Abstract
This thesis will identify artistic sensibilities and leadership characteristics of the American architect Daniel H. Burnham (1846-1912). It will assert that this particular architect had enormous impact on urbanism in the United States. The development of Burnham's design style and his approach to urban planning will be evaluated by considering three of his built designs: The Rookery Building, Chicago (1888), the Fuller Building, New York City (1902-1903) and Union Station, Washington, D.C. (1903- 1907). These buildings will be considered within the context of the historical changes brought about by the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893. By detailed examination of these three selected examples of Burnham's work, both before and after the 1893 event, this investigation will seek definition of a Burnham Style. Early in his career, Burnham became adept at combining new technologies in architectural form with the demands of American capitalism. Burnham's talent allowed him to approach building projects independently, rendering a style of pragmatism as much as appearance. Burnham's structures varied by site and adapted to each commission while maximizing the artistic elements employed by his supporting designers. Daniel Burnham's early work was fundamental to the Chicago School because his structures successfully employed innovative building advances that were uniquely American. But from 1889 to 1891 Burnham's career experienced a dramatic swing. His authority as the Director of Works of the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893 was a catalyst for change in Burnham, as will become evident in comparing that mammoth and influential undertaking with the aforementioned structures of his creation. In conjunction with his commission for the Fair, Burnham's artistic preferences shifted decidedly towards neo-classicism made fashionable by architects educated or influenced by the EĢcole des Beaux-Arts, Paris. The impact of the World's Columbian Exposition cannot be underestimated, neither in terms of the Fair's impact on Burnham, nor the resulting change of direction it created in American architecture and urban planning. In the latter years of his career, Burnham became a major figure in the definition and refinement of the American urban scene. Burnham's orchestration of the 1893 event served as template and inspiration for him as he shifted from commercially oriented construction projects to philanthropic urban planning pursuits, advancing the City Beautiful Movement.
Table of Contents
Introduction -- Building example: the Rookery, Chicago (1888) -- The World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago (1893) -- Building example: the Fuller Building, New York (1902-1903) -- Urban planning example: the National Mall (1902) building example: Union Station (1903-1907) Washington D.C. -- Conclusion -- Appendix A. Images -- Appendix B. Tables
DOI
PubMed ID
Degree
MA (Master of Arts)
Thesis Department
Rights
Open Access (fully available)