May 2011 ~ Bryn Mawr Historic District [Edgewater Presbyterian Church]

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Chicago Cultural Center [Sidney R. Yates Gallery]

Posted on 7:52 AM by babli panday

Sidney R Yates Gallery..
Chicago Cultural Center..
Originally the library's main reading room. This gallery is named for Illinois Congressman Sidney R. Yates [1909-2000], tireless advocate for the arts.
The hall was "likely" designed by Robert Spencer of the lead architects of Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge.

The interior surfaces were created by the Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company. The deeply recessed coffered ceiling and rich Renaissance ornamentation encrusting the tall pilasters were originally finished in layers of translucent paint that reflected light from a shimmering plaster skin, while the walls were rubbed with layers of pigment. The bold saturated red of the walls, possibly a reference to the late 19th century excavations at Pompeii where the red interior walls characterized the ancient site, alarmed and excited the original Victorian visitors
[Reference: Tour guide leaflet at the Chicago Cultural Center]

Latin words "Lux et Veritas" are repeated on green and silver pilasters, meaning, "light and Truth".

Coffered Ceiling details..

Details..

RELATED LINKS:
# Chicago Cultural Center..

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Chicago Cultural Centern [Coffered Ceiling]

Posted on 7:36 AM by babli panday

Preston Bradley Hall..

Randolph Lobby..

GAR Hall..

Sidney R. Yates Hall..

3rd Floor ceiling [Washington Street]

5th Floor ceilking [Washington Street]

5th Floor ceiling [Randolph Street]

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Friday, May 27, 2011

Grand Interiors [Ornamental Glass Ceiling / Domes]

Posted on 10:04 AM by babli panday

The Franke Reading Room of Ryerson & Burnham Libraries of the Art Institue of Chicago..
The skylight was designed by Louis J. Millet. In 1994, the Reading Room went through extensive restoration by the John Vinci.

The Tiffany Dome at Marshall Field's [Now Macy's]...
Installed: 1907
Designed by Louis C. Tiffany
This Tiffany dome was built in 1907, which makes it more than a 100 years old. It is both the first dome to be built in favrile iridescent glass and is the largest glass mosaic of it's kind. It contains over 1.6 million pieces. The late Louis C. Tiffany designed this glass mosaic dome...

Tiffany glass dome of Preston Bradley Hall, at the Chicago Cultural Center..
This 38-foot Tiffany glass dome designed by J. A. Holtzer. The Cultural Center states this to be the largest Tiffany dome in the world, with an estimated value of $35 million..

GAR Rotunda at Chicago Cultural Center..
This 40-foot diameter leaded glass dome, was designed by noted Chicago firm Healy and Millet. The dome's botanical motifs in warm earth tones glow with light of jewel cut glass, a technique offering maximum refraction and color range. Opalescent glass, ripple glass and chipped jewels create texture and color. [Excerpt from visitors guide]..

Lobby of Chicago Theater..

Fullerton Hall at the Art Institute of Chicago...
Stained glass dome is designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany..
Completed: 1901.

RELATED LINKS..
# The Franke Reading Room of Art Institue of Chicago
# Tiffany Dome at Marshall Field's [Now Macy's].
# Tiffany glass dome of Preston Bradley Hall, at the Chicago Cultural Center..
# GAR Rotunda at Chicago Cultural Center..
# Lobby of Chicago Theater..
# Fullerton Hall at the Art Institute of Chicago...

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Tuesday, May 24, 2011

18th Street Railroad Bridge..

Posted on 6:37 PM by babli panday

18th Street Railroad bridge..
Over the South branch Chicago River..
I have very little information on this bridge. Any information is welcome!

The above two images taken from Roosevelt Road Bridge..

In the above image, on the right hand side, we can see the South Canal Street Railroad Bridge..

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Monday, May 23, 2011

South Canal Street Railroad Bridge

Posted on 8:28 AM by babli panday

South Canal Railroad Bridge..
Type: Vertical lift Railroad Bridge..
Completed: 1915..
Built by Waddell and Harrington..
It's the only such example of vertical lift bridge on the Chicago River..
The bridge was originally owned by the Pennsylvania Railroad.
Now it is owned by Amtrak.

Especially like is the bridgehouse on the top on the bridge..

Also like when the bridge looks like one tall building..

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Thursday, May 19, 2011

Museum of Science and Industry

Posted on 11:55 AM by babli panday

Museum of Science and Industry..
Address: 57th St. at Lake Shore Drive
Year Built: 1891-1893
Reconstructed 1929-30
Interior renovation 1930-41..
Architects: Charles Atwood, Graham, Anderson, Probst & White,
Shaw, Naess & Murphy
Date Designated a Chicago Landmark: November 1, 1995..

Main entrance [North entrance]..

The plaque reads..
Chicago Landmark...
Museum of Science & Industry
Charles B Atwood, architect
1891-93..
Originally built as the Palace for Fine Arts for the World's Columbian Exposition, this plaster-clad structure later became the first home of the Field Museum of Natural History. After the museum left in the 1920's, the decayed building was reconstructed of stone for the Museum of Science and Industry. The exterior is an exact cop of the original Beaux-Arts style design, but it's interiors was remodeled in 1929-33 in the Art Moderne style, under the direction of architect Alfred Shaw.
Designated on November 1, 1995..
Richard M Daley, Mayor
Commission on Chicago Landmarks..

This post is only on the architecural sculptural details on the facade, and not on the exhibits in the museum..

The North entrance [main entrance] has amazing bronze doors..

The large bronze door at the museum North entrance, represent fourteen important subjects in science, including mathematics, engineering, medicine, transportation and architecture..