D.H. BURNHAM & COMPANY, Architect. Frederick Dinkelberg, Designer. The Effect of Ornament.

The "rules" of ornament are nearly the same on D.H. Burnham's Heyworth Building as for Sullivan's adjacent Schlessinger and Mayer:  separate (though varying)  motifs for columns, lintels, conices and jambs.  Sullivan added a couple of extras (a couple) -- at the intersection of column and lintel, and of course, at the great corner entry.  But, conceptually, they are in the same ballpark.  And I'll admit to getting a little emotional over both.  (I'm looking forward to looking at Sullivan in detail -- after more than a year of blogging Burnham's Chicago buildings),  But there are still some Burnham mysteries to be solved.

.

It appears that in the early "oughts" Daniel was concepturally running two offices: his at-home Chicago School (Dinkelberg included) and his national and international  Beaux Arts applications, with Peirce Anderson  (from Washington to Manilla).  This must have made some interesting "political " maneuvering  in the break room.  Anderson didn't fully gain the upper hand until 1908, along with Mssrs. Graham, Probst and White. As the Heyworth took its place next to Schessinger and Mayer, and the existing Silversmith,  it might have been possible to believe, for the moment, that Beaux Arts was not a "threat" to names like Nimmons, Perkins, Weber and Dinkelberg.    What alliances were made, what promises given that solidified the future of "Paris on the Lake?"  To be the proverbial "fly on the wall" .....

____________________

Only a few more Burnhams to go.  But I've started photography for the next round. And if you'd like to peek ahead, link HERE

____________________

FOR MORE CHICAGO ARCHITECTURE, SCULPTURE AND PHOTOGRAPHY

VISIT

CHICAGO IMAGES in the Loop

D.H.BURNHAM & Co's Heyworth Building.

DESIGNED BY FREDERICK DINKELBERG

.

The Heyworth Building was constructed at 29 East Madison in 1903 (or so, depending on sources). And "despite the limitations of Burnham's stylistic vocabulary" (a direct quote from Burnham biographer Thomas Hines) this one seems to have turned out okay. Okay. This little Chicago School gem is one of my favorites in the Loop.  Clearly expressed steel frame construction wrapped in terra cotta and brick.  A bottom, a middle, and a top.  Original ornament.  And an intact cornice.  Only a little modification at street level disturbs the effect.

Burnham's best Chicago School work happens AFTER the World's Fair of 1893.  And that work was designed by East Coaster Charles Atwood and later by the man hired to be his assistant, Frederick Dinkelberg. (Dinkelberg occassionally gives Sullivan a run for the money when it comes to ornament.) (Both read Ruskin.  See Dinkelberg's work at the Railway Exchange)

This block of Madison Street (and around the corner on Wabash) has become a surprising assemblage of good Architecture.  Around the corner is the Silversmith (see previous post).

.

 And the next door neighbor is good company too.

CONNECT TO LANDMARK ARCHITECTURE AND SCULPTURE IN

BOOKS, BLOGS AND PHOTOGRAPHS AT

THE CHICAGO LOOP.ORG

_________________________