124. Carson, Pirie, Scott and Company Building. Chicago, Illinois, US. Louis Sullivan. 1899-1903 CE Iron, stell, glass, and terra cotta.
ForM
Horizontal emphasis on the exterior mirror the continuous flow of floor space on the interior
The exterior is covered in decorative terracotta tiles; original interior ornamentation elaborately arranged around lobby areas, hallways, elevator; interior ornamentation now lost
The architect designed maximum window areas to admit light, but also to make displays visible from the street
Non Supportive role of exterior walls; held up by an interior framework
Open ground plan allows for free movement of customers and goods
Function
A department store on a fashionable street in Chicago
Context
Some historical touches exist in the round entrance arches and the heavy cornice at the top of the building
Cast iron decorative elements transformed the story into a beautiful place to buy beautiful things
Shows the influence of Art Nouveau in decorative ironwork on the entrance
