Features of the Flatiron Building

Features of the Flatiron BuildingSynopsis This is a 5 page term paper written in MLA format explaining why any designer in the modern era should be interested in the Flatiron Building, constructed in 1902 in New York. The paper gives a description of the almost captivating architectural features of Flatiron build that make it unique and admirable. The paper relies on 2 sources.The Flatiron BuildingEric Nash all the way describes the Flatiron construction located in New York urban center. Its braid was completed in 1902 and it is one of the most popular and best known skyscrapers in the world that derives its name from its iron like shape. It is an energetic combination of rebirth and gothic architectural styles. It is made up of spacious, well designed 20-two stories which are divided into three parts, namely, the beginning, the middle and the end, just like a clean Greek column. The Flatirons striking shape and its exceptional height stretch its classical garb uneasily.1Pict ure showing the beginning, the middle and the top of the Flatiron1 Eric Nash, Manhattan Skyscrapers. (New York Princeton Architectural Press, 1999) 121.Eric Nash clearly shows that the building was constructed using structural steel frame with extensive wind bracing purposely made to resist sideways pressure from the wind. This reflects recent credence of the all-steel skeleton for skyscrapers in New York. The skeleton steel framing of Flatiron building is light and less(prenominal) susceptible to fire damages as compared to iron, hence fashioning the building stronger and more durable. Use of steel skeleton in construction of Flatiron made it possible for the building to be elevated higher up to twenty two storeys as opposed to load bearing walls that previously restricted the height supportable by their loads. The building was constructed on a rectangular squash piece of land giving it its classic captivating appearance from the ground to the sky. He further argues that unlike New Yorks early skyscrapers taking the form of towers that were constructed go from a lower blockier weight like the contemporary Singer Building, the Flatiron building has limestone and glazed terra cotta faade which is divided into a triangular base, shaft and capital.2.Eric Nash observed that Flatirons ornate but restrained facade was made using terra-cotta panels and stone creating forms that simulate any effects of rustication, making it long lasting. Rusticated limestone is uniformly detailed from the ground of the Flatiron building to the sky to ensure that there are slim chances of Flatirons destruction by environmental conditions. The Flatirons masonry insulation, its outer skin of stone and glazed terra-cotta protects it from any harsh put up conditions which could otherwise destroy the building. Besides this, the Flatirons rustication and heavily prornamented patterns of these walls, as well as the conservatively sized windows, give the faades a heavy appearance, this is attractive to the eyes 32 Nash 1233 Nash 125Picture showing Flatirons outer skinAndrew Dolkart observed that the multistory oriels in the midsection, which are prominent in many of Burnhams dough buildings, are just barely perceptible on the busy, more enclosed skin of the Flatiron. This greater visual weigh of the repartition of the overall design into a clear-cut base, a repetitive midsection, and a crowning render extended to 22 stories, makes the whole Flatiron appear column-like, distinguishing the building from the rest. He further observed that the long, thin triangular footprint of the Flatiron extrudes up through all its twenty two stories. With all three faades facing the streets, this tall, thin building was designed to always have rattling well-lit office spaces. At the vertex of the Flatiron building, the triangular tower, which is only 6.5 feet (2 meters) wide and a height of eighty seven Meters is seen to describe an acute tiptoe that is roughly estimated to be 25 degrees when viewed from birds eye view. The acute angled corners bring out a dramatic, exaggerated perspective which is unique and highly admirable. 44Andrew Dolkart. architecture Development of New York City and the Birth of Skyscraper. (Columbia Columbia University 2009). 11Eric Nash further observed that the most acute angle of the Flatiron points north, making the building to appear like it has a little prudence like a wall leaned precariously against the sky, distinguishing it from any other building in the neighborhood. The interior of the Flatiron has strangely shaped spacious offices with their walls cutting through an angle on their way to skyscrapers notable point. This gives the building quite a beautiful and attractive look. The gravity-defying illusion of the building is further enhanced by the enormous cornice projecting aggressively from the top of the building, giving the whole affair a top-heavy appearance. The elements of Flatirons design fit in comfortab ly with the general development of the sloshed in which the building was constructed.5According to Andrew, The unconventional triangular lot coupled with exceptional height transformed architectural conventions of Flatiron into a beautiful unique structure. The building materials used for Flatiron were cost effective, efficient and made it possible for it to be quickly erected. Flatiron was indeed a perfect architectural solution to Americas growing downtowns in the twentieth century. It consists of 13,400 square meters of office space and definitely one of the Stockholms new landmarks. The striking visual presence of this uncommon vertical mass is what makes the building instantly famous both with tourists and those in the arts grappling with the nature of New Yorks modernity.65 Nash 136.6 Dolkart 13.ConclusionThis paper started by describing the shape and location of the Flatiron building constructed in 1902 in New York. It further discussed in detail the design and architectural features of the building that make it very unique despite the fact that it was constructed over hundred years ago. Its characteristic structural division into three parts, the beginning, the middle and the end gives it a unique appealing appearance. Its unique triangular shape design and the compress shaped piece of land where the building was erected give it an excellent view hence it is easily distinguished from all other buildings in the neighborhood. The buildings small comprehensiveness of only two meters and exceptional height of eighty seven meters housing twenty two storey distinguishes it from ancient heavy wide buildings. While putting more emphasis on the uniqueness and durability of the materials in construction of Flatiron building used such as the revolutionary steel frame which is less susceptible to fire unlike iron, the limestone covering originating from the ground to the sky to protect the building from harsh weather conditions, and the white terra cotta skin in the Italian renascence style which gives the building a highly admirable dramatic perspective. From the findings of this paper, it is evidently clear that the Flatiron building is quite a unique building in both the structure and the design and therefore any architect or designer would be interested in its structure and design.Works CitedNash, Eric. Manhattan Skyscrapers. New York Princeton Architectural Press, 1999.Dolkart, Andrew. Architecture Development of New York City and the Birth of Skyscraper. Columbia Columbia University 2009.Siteshttps//hermis.alberta.ca/ARHP/Details.aspx?DeptID=1ObjectID=4665-0499http//www.nyc-architecture.com/GRP/GRP024.htm