TheAmericanArchitect
The ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW
VOL. CXXIV
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1923
NUMBER 2130
The PERSHING SQUARE BUILDING
Its Technique of Materials
BY F. S. LAURENCE, Executive Secretary, National Terra Cotta Society
H
OW far have we advanced on the path toward a vital, logical and beautiful treat
ment of the modern skyscraper building ? The Chicago Tribune competition, and some repently completed structures bring once more to the fore the degree of our attainment in this direc
tion and the question of how far we are likely to realize “a new architectural style” which will take
its place as a satisfying expression of enduring character.
It may be remarked in passing that a glance over the elaborately illustrated book issued by the Chicago Tribune containing all the designs sub
mitted brings out strikingly the gratifying fact that American architects are so far in the lead
in their grasp of the essential problem of sky
Detail of brick pattern and terra cotta ornamentation at fifth story level
Pershing Square Building, New York
York & Sawyer and John Sloan, Architects
brick surfaces in the main shaft are broken up into a texture of consistent scale through widely differing color variations in the brick and the use of jointing patterns that may be expected to become less assertive and obviously regular as the building tones down
(Copyright, 1923, The Architectural & Building Press, Inc.)
The ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW
VOL. CXXIV
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1923
NUMBER 2130
The PERSHING SQUARE BUILDING
Its Technique of Materials
BY F. S. LAURENCE, Executive Secretary, National Terra Cotta Society
H
OW far have we advanced on the path toward a vital, logical and beautiful treat
ment of the modern skyscraper building ? The Chicago Tribune competition, and some repently completed structures bring once more to the fore the degree of our attainment in this direc
tion and the question of how far we are likely to realize “a new architectural style” which will take
its place as a satisfying expression of enduring character.
It may be remarked in passing that a glance over the elaborately illustrated book issued by the Chicago Tribune containing all the designs sub
mitted brings out strikingly the gratifying fact that American architects are so far in the lead
in their grasp of the essential problem of sky
Detail of brick pattern and terra cotta ornamentation at fifth story level
Pershing Square Building, New York
York & Sawyer and John Sloan, Architects
brick surfaces in the main shaft are broken up into a texture of consistent scale through widely differing color variations in the brick and the use of jointing patterns that may be expected to become less assertive and obviously regular as the building tones down
(Copyright, 1923, The Architectural & Building Press, Inc.)