From Chicago Sun-Times · · 1m 50s
Griffin MSI's design proposal harms Chicago history
Chicago's cultural historian criticizes Griffin Museum of Science and Industry's new design proposal for disrespecting architectural heritage.
In brief
Chicago's cultural historian criticizes Griffin Museum of Science and Industry's new design proposal for disrespecting architectural heritage. Chicago cultural historian Tim Samuelson argues the museum's proposed changes to its north facade threaten the integrity of a 133-year-old architectural masterpiece. Originally…
Griffin MSI's design proposal
The museum's proposed Welcome Hall design includes 458-foot north facade alterations.
“The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry’s 458-foot proposed Welcome Hall”
Chicago's architectural heritage
The building is the sole intact major structure from Chicago's 1893 World's Columbian Exposition.
“Created as the Palace of Fine Arts for Chicago’s legendary World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893”
Architectural significance
The building was regarded as a masterpiece of classical architecture with precise proportions and detail.
“It is the sole intact major building surviving from this epoch in the city’s history”
Historical protection
The building was protected as a city landmark with exact preservation standards for renovations.
“Even when the building’s temporary skin of hard plaster was to be removed and replaced with permanent limestone for its 1930s conversion into the Museum of Science and Industry”
Current proposal concerns
The museum plans to remove or cut holes in classical grand staircases and glass entry porticos.
“The current museum proposal to remove or cut gap-toothed holes into the boldly scaled classical grand staircases and the glassing-in of both monumental entry porticos”
Architectural integrity
The building's design requires precise adherence to classical composition for over 133 years.
“The original architect, Charles B. Atwood, gave it even more. At the time of completion and for decades afterward, it came to be regarded as perfection in its adaptation of Classical architecture”
Historic preservation
All details must be preserved exactly to maintain architectural integrity.
“The renovation drawings firmly stated that all details were to be reproduced exactly to preserve its precisely composed architectural integrity”
Cultural historian's view
Tim Samuelson, cultural historian emeritus, calls the proposals 'damaging' to Chicago's architectural legacy.
“Tim Samuelson, cultural historian emeritus, city of Chicago”
Historic significance
The building has been a protected city landmark for 133 years.
“This fact alone is reason enough to protectively respect its integrity”
Proposal impact
The changes risk undermining the building's status as a protected city landmark.
“The current museum proposal to remove or cut gap-toothed holes into the boldly scaled classical grand staircases and the glassing-in of both monumental entry porticos hardly reflect the respect given to this architectural masterpiece over the last 133 years”
Historic preservation
The building's design requires precise adherence to classical composition for over 133 years.
“The original architect, Charles B. Atwood, gave it even more. At the time of completion and for decades afterward, it came to be regarded as perfection in its adaptation of Classical architecture”
Historic preservation
All details must be preserved exactly to maintain architectural integrity.
“The renovation drawings firmly stated that all details were to be reproduced exactly to preserve its precisely composed architectural integrity”
Cultural historian's call
Samuelson urges guardians of architecture to stop the damaging proposals.
“Perhaps the only hope is for the guardian angels of great architecture to somehow make these damaging proposals disappear”
Historic preservation
The building has been a protected city landmark for 133 years.
“This fact alone is reason enough to protectively respect its integrity”
Architectural legacy
The building remains Chicago's only intact major structure from the 1893 World's Fair.
“It is the sole intact major building surviving from this epoch in the city’s history”
The main idea
Chicago cultural historian Tim Samuelson argues the museum's proposed changes to its north facade threaten the integrity of a 133-year-old architectural masterpiece.
