When constructing a tall Chicago building, before you build up, you have to dig down. Some of the first problems pioneering Chicago architects had to deal with were the conditions uncovered when they dug into the city's swampy, muddy soil. Before technology was perfected for anchoring buildings in bedrock, many early skyscrapers were built on shallow spread foundations. Much like a raft, spread foundations would allow a building to settle a few inches into the soft soil and then float on the somewhat firmer clay below. With buildings such as the iconic Monadnock, the method worked well, as it settled over 20 inches but still stands straight in the skyline nearly 130 years after its construction. In addition to the physical foundations, this program discusses the many ways young builders of the early “Chicago School” had to innovate to create and invent the tall commercial building. We uncover the amazing stories of buildings old and new, and the giants of design and engineering who built them.
This program will take place online on Zoom. After registering, you will receive a link to the Zoom webinar at least one hour in advance of the program. If the event is full, or if you prefer, you can watch the event live-streamed on our YouTube channel.
TAGS: | Education & Learning |
The Schaumburg Township District Library serves in excess of 134,000 residents in portions of the municipalities Elk Grove Village, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg and Streamwood. With over 1 million visitors each year, the library circulates over 2,000,000 items annually and is the second largest public library in the state of Illinois.