How This Window Transformed Chicago
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- Опубликовано: 8 фев 2023
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Thumbnail image of the Reliance Building part of Chris Hytha's Highrise project: www.highrisescollection.com
The Chicago Window is a particular design that met the delicate balance of providing light and air into the depths of large towers. For a brief period of time, the need for and the ability to produce these large window was possible with available technology. But today, these windows appear for reasons other than functional necessarity. In this video, we chat with Gunny Harboe who has preserved dozens of Chicago windows in the Reliance Building, Marquette Building, among others. We explore the window's history, why it was such an ideal solution, and what went it the popularity of this ubiquitous architectural element.
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_About the Channel_
Architecture with Stewart is a RUclips journey exploring architecture’s deep and enduring stories in all their bewildering glory. Weekly videos and occasional live events breakdown a wide range of topics related to the built environment in order to increase their general understanding and advocate their importance in shaping the world we inhabit.
_About Me_
Stewart Hicks is an architectural design educator that leads studios and lecture courses as an Associate Professor in the School of Architecture at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He also serves as an Associate Dean in the College of Architecture, Design, and the Arts and is the co-founder of the practice Design With Company. His work has earned awards such as the Architecture Record Design Vanguard Award or the Young Architect’s Forum Award and has been featured in exhibitions such as the Chicago Architecture Biennial and Design Miami, as well as at the V&A Museum and Tate Modern in London. His writings can be found in the co-authored book Misguided Tactics for Propriety Calibration, published with the Graham Foundation, as well as essays in MONU magazine, the AIA Journal Manifest, Log, bracket, and the guest-edited issue of MAS Context on the topic of character architecture.
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University of Illinois at Chicago School of Architecture: arch.uic.edu/
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Once again I am amazed at Stewart's (and, today, Gunny's) ability to make a topic as mundane as one specific type of window actually compelling and engaging. Bravo.
RIGHT? Like the titles of some of these videos are ANTI-clickbait
Agreed.
But 12 minutes worth?
Wait until you learn about the daylight factory 🤯
True!
I first learned the term "Chicago window" when we moved to Indiana after living in the Southeast, with its heavy devotion to classical and colonial architecture. I thought the Chicago window was a brilliant idea - to have a picture window with operable side sashes. The aesthetic of a clean expanse of glass is very pleasing, especially in the ubiquitous Mid-century ranch home, or the older bungalows. In a skyscraper, that same rhythm of perpendicular lines created by the Chicago window really does affect the personality of the building, and I never realized it until today.
I was about to add a similar comment. Our brick ranch in southwest Indiana has this same type of window. I grew up in Illinois and have family in the Chicago area - I never knew this type of window had a name, or that it was special. It's been everywhere I have lived - except the years we lived in Mississippi.
The 1953 ranch I lived in growing up had that window configuration in the living room. That was in a small town in southeast Kansas.
My old Chicago house was built in the 1890s as stockyard worker housing.
Our house had a giant picture window with 2 smaller opening windows on the side. As did every other house built before the 1950s in the area.
From The Netherlands, I never saw that type of windows. They give a beautiful rhythm to the building. And when they were used everywhere it also gave the city rhythm, I suppose.
Oh, this is as good as the story of bricks! Stewart, you need to do a story on architectural salvage. Chicago has several businesses that do that; I remember one that had speakeasy bars from the 1920s. . . and of course how they are integrated into current buildings.
Could you do a video on Ice falling off buildings? 🏢 Are there any architectural elements that prevent, mitigate, or solve this problem? Love your channel ♥️
That’s a good idea
yes, excellent idea
One element that I know from central Europe is a tiny "fence" (or vertical grate) about 4 inches tall and a few inches from the roof's bottom edge. By holding the snow on the roof It keeps it from avalanching off as a whole. Which it might do due to warm shingles melting the lowest layer of snow, or just too much snow collecting on the roof for friction to hold it.
But I bet you can also somehow influence it by modulating the roof slope or by strategically placing gables.
Would be a nice topic.
You see a lot of spiked roofs in cold climates. The spikes keep the ice from coming down in large dangerous sheets. Pretty common in vernacular architecture.
I love the responses. My brain was thinking about skyscrapers, but a video on sloped roofing could be interesting also! There might be a few directions to take the topic.
Chicago was never a destination on my bucket list, but thanks to Stewart revealing all this amazing architecture and engineering, it's on that list now.
no rush, Robert, we're doing just fine without you
@@Marcel_Audubon What an absolutely entitled little bit of whiny butthurt this comment is.
Bro, get whatever is upsetting you in real life figured out, because snarky unnecessary replies to RUclips comments ain't going to fix it.
This is a bit of Chicago's architectural history that I wasn't aware of. So thank you for this insightful video. I'm sure I've walked past the Marquette Building a million times but never ventured inside. I wasn't aware of its Tiffany designed lobby. During the discussion of Chicago windows, I immediately thought of the Monadnock Building, which is one of the few remaining examples of load-bearing walls. It's windows are set up in bays, with three panels side-by-side.
Next time you're there, walk on through from Dearborn all the way through Revival Food Hall to Clark (or the reverse).
He tried his best but he got most of this information wrong. The window did not transform Chicago; the Chicago window is named such because of where it was first designed. You actually find these windows far more often in cities outside Chicago than you do here in the Windy City itself.
@HotCoco_ nice pfp
Love the vid, the details make the whole.
I was amazed to hear single-pane glass was used at the restoraion mentioned. Here in the Netherlands we have 'resoration glass' that's made out of 2 very, very thin layers of glass, not gas filled, but vacuum. The outward pane can be 'bubbly' on purpose to mimic the not-perfect glass of the old times. Double pane, vacuum isolation, as thin as 6mm (1/4 inch) !
Yes, Pilkington manufactures a product along those lines, which is available pretty much worldwide. I believe it's a relatively recent product, though, and may not have been available at the time they did the building upgrades.
I really appreciate your videos a lot. I study city planning in Germany, and of course Chicago comes up quite frequently because of its pioneering role in many aspects of architecture and city planning. I would love to visit it some day, but of course that's way out of my budget as a student. Your videos really make the city come alive and connect the surface knowledge from my lectures with real deep insight into seemingly mundane topics on this fascinating city
I find tilt and turn windows (the ones we mostly use in Europe) much, much more practical. This stupid idea of making a tiny (sometimes it's 30x30 cm that's opening and that's it!) windows which only open, and the rest is a fixed window a really stupid and unpractical. Also, they're much more energy efficient - when I first came to North America I was shocked how bad insulation is.
I would never have thought a video about windows of Chicago would make me tear up and feel home sick… but here we are. Chicago is absolutely my favorite place to live.
Thank you for this amazing education.
Oh! And the art piece behind you is amazing!
~N
Isn’t the crime terrible????
@@jamslam406 nah. it's pretty obvious which areas to avoid, a lot of the city is pretty safe
I was at a friend's apartment during the holidays and was baffled by the choice of the architects' design for the windows. Instead of vertical sashes on the sides of the static windows, they were horizontal below the static window, near the floor and were fairly large squares. They were the perfect size and position for children or pets or even adults sitting on the low-rise siding in front of them to lean back and fall out. There weren't even screens on them or balconies or anything outside. 🤨 🤦
People, and stuff, fall out of high-rise windows all too often. Eric Clapton famously lost his 4-year-old son that way, memorialized in his song "Tears in Heaven". A really unlucky tourist, walking on a NYC sidewalk, was struck and killed by a dumbbell that fell out of an apartment window in 1962, which also made headlines as the apartment was occupied by Arlene Francis, then a famous TV personality.
Love your channel Stewart! Chicago must be the perfect place for you to be doing this.
A lot of suburban mid century ranch houses have the "chicago" style window in the middle of the front facade/in the living room. Love those ranch houses with that feature cause it usually means a wall of glass with a ton of light/awesome view in that front room.
My childhood home near Joliet fits this perfectly. Built in 1969, the 1500 square foot ranch had a brick facade on the front that faced onto the west side of the house. We always had the side windows open throughout the summer when the AC wasn’t on.
It's nice for light but impractical for safety with certain styles. A 1950s house was set ablaze by an arsonist. The firemen were surprised and relieved that the family was able to escape through the windows. All of the windows which open were crank style instead of sash openings. I couldn't open one of these as a child because it took a good bit of strength if the window was in working order. Those frames have been steel in a humid climate which does rust. If the window hasn't been opened after repainting, it won't open easily. The windows tended to stay closed due to high humidity and the use of AC.
Wonderful. I greatly appreciate these videos. And I'm happy to learn that I've brought the "Chicago window" into my renovation of my small house in Madison, Wisconsin. Thanks again.
There is a beautiful poetic sound to the way most architects speak which i love
Love the focus on specific architectural elements like this.
Incredible video. It’s amazing you’re able to pack in so much knowledge in 10-15 mins
Fascinating! Thank you, Stewart.
thnk you for shedding light on this great detail that is all around us
I love your commentary and I always learn something new every time I watch your channel. I love architecture! Especially Chicago.
Interesting🤔Thanks for spending the time to create and share this content 🤙🏾
I have always loved these type of windows and am glad to know the name and history behind them. I grew up in several western U.S. states in the ‘70s and many of the Craftsman bungalows have them, as do many of the ranch-style homes built in the ‘50s & ‘60s. They’re very nostalgic for me.
That was well done. I did not know what those types of windows were called and how they operated. Early great innovation of those high rise buildings.
Awesome! Great work 👏
Excellent video. Thank you.
Absolutely brilliant episode. Chicago is so abundantly blessed with great architecture, it's amazing.
Very cool video! I live just east of Water Tower and I’ve just realized that my building has Chicago windows! Thanks for sharing!!
Stewart, this is an amazing video. I learn so much.
Gunny is a treasure. I was the sound designer for the doc on the Emil Bach house. He was the lead on the restoration and a great personality to give the film charm. Class act and great educator.
So giddy to see Pierce Tower featured at 10:47! It was a University of Chicago dorm, home to Henderson, Thompson, Tufts, and Shorey Houses. Built in the 60s and demolished a few years ago. The rooms were quite small and surrounded two-story loft lounges. The rumor among residents when I lived there in the early-mid 2000s was that the intention was that the students would be like monks toiling away in their cells and that the large lounges would encourage house unity and community. For Henderson House when I was there, it certainly did.
Since I will be in Chicago next week you have given me something to look up for. Thank you very, very much.
I really think highly of your video as you explained the utility of Chicago windows in early skyscrapers, the origins of and manufacturing process for the polished plate glass used to make them and the method to incorporate them into the building façade…most would leave out all of these important and fascinating details!...watched it 3 times!!
I spent a lot of time documenting bungalows all over the US. Chicago windows are very common to them in the upper Midwest and they’re really lovely. My adult children and I will be driving somewhere and they’ll say, “look Mom, Chicago windows!” Yeah, I’ve made them into architecture buffs.
The two-story house I grew up in in Montreal (QC) was built in 1959 and had Chicago window - but only over its main facade. Their proportions were quite similar to those you see in this video, however much smaller. All that was far from rare in our (East-end) part of the city.
And thus, Stewart Hicks and his brilliant guests effortlessly prove with just their knowledge and passion why Chicago is the true home and king of the skyscraper.
I really love your channel ❤ you really make me think deeper about minor architectural elements that I would have otherwise found mundane and unimportant.
I have to be honest when I saw the thumbnail for this video I questioned if I should even click on it because it seemed like an uninspiring topic, but as usual you never cease to amaze. I’m sorry for even doubting you 🙌
This was an interesting video, and now i know that my childhood home had a chicago window in the living room, which is fun. Thanks for sharing!
absolutely insane that he decided against insulated glass during the redevelopment of that skyscraper. I guess since he doesn't live in it, he doesn't care
He works in the building
And is old enough that the climate change from heating poorly insulated buildings won't affect him.
The client (owner of the building) makes the final decision about what kind of glass to use - not the architect. The architect can make recommendations, but unless they’re paying for it, it’s up to the owner.
Many architects behave as though they have never used a building. Others are simply deranged.
yeah, coz you know better then he, right? let some air out of that ego, dullard
Interesting discussion of the Chicago Window. Thanks for posting.
How exciting, my current apartment has this! Love having the nice clear view in the middle and fresh air I can get from the side pieces.
Amazing video!!!
I love learning about Chicago vernacular! This video has made me realize that my current apartment and my apartment before it both have this style of window.
Thank you for sharing this information about our beautiful city's architecture.
Excellent video Stewart! Your mention of Louis Sullivan's Auditorium Building brought to my mind his Carson, Pirie, Scott building constructed ten years later in 1899. He uses an infill frame rather than the free-standing facade of the Auditorium building, and he uses Chicago windows everywhere except at the lowest level with its display windows (which are amazing in themselves).
I know a big problem with early curtain walls in NYC has been the deterioration of the hangers between the steel frame and the applied panels of stone, terra cotta, or glass. There have been several full or partial collapses of the curtain walls since the 1970s, and several people were killed or badly injured in those accidents. Has this been an issue in Chicago, or is this an example of the original clients and designers cutting too many corners and paying off building inspectors to look the other way? (The NYC Buildings Department has been a den of corruption for nearly 150 years.)
I'm digging your channel! I lived in Chicago, and I totally remember those windows.
I worked as Messenger in the Chicago area for 15 years. I got to see most of the historic buildings inside hauling heavy loads on a1930's hand cart. There are a lot of hidden structural gems to be found. I got to ride in some of the last manned passenger elevators.
Great video, I've always liked the look of that style of window, didn't know it had a name or the reason for it's function. In my part of the world they weren't unusual in houses built in the 1950's, sort of a step between the sidebyside sash and picture windows I guess.
Fascinating video again. Thank you Stewart for showing us how rich the world is when one scratches underneath the surface. We think architectural styles are about freedom, while actually they are often more about constraints, on materials (plate glass and steel), and on basic human needs (warmth and light) and on economics. And all these constraints intersect with each other as Stewart describes vis the gas field and glass manufacturing costs. Incredible that the first skyscrapers had gas lights, though I remember when smoking was allowed on airplanes. I think one could critique architects like Hadid for using the almost limitless structural possibilities to build buildings where the shape looks like it comes from an architect's sketch on a napkin - where the building maybe reflects a jazzy concept that the architect sold a client with too much money & freedom. I'm building a house for myself and modifying a Richard Rogers apartment and appreciate the constraints of trees, site, and structure. Without that the world might have to put up with my nutty ideas.
Great video!
Thank you for this ! I love your work.
What’s funny is that now I know it’s whole purpose was function while for me it was about the style and proportion and I had assumed it was that aspect that had come from the Chicago School.
This is educational AF. thank you sir!
I always feel like every time i pass on a video i'm doing the same as many others. Its sad when a good video doesn't get the views it needs. I came back to watch this and am glad I had the ability to contribute my view, like and comment for the algorithm.
Love your content and Pizano's !!! :D
This was absolutely awesome, thank you. In the Madison Wisconsin area, we have a version of the Chicago window that's specifically residential, and almost exclusively found on single-story ranches. It has the large fixed window in the middle, and the two operable side lights. It is so prevalent that we all just started calling it The Wisconsin window.
Great video Stewart, you always make my Thursday. The technology of plate glass is what is referred to as “float glass” and, as you pointed out, it revolutionized the possible applications of glass. The way float glass worked was that molten silica is poured out onto the surface of molten tin. The fact that it was floating kept it flat and made it possible to make large sheets. Modern plate glass probably uses something other than tin but that was how it started.
A lot of modern German windows have a similar-ish design! except they tend to be two parts, with one side being larger, the other a little smaller. That way you can use the windowsill for plants or knick-knacks and just leave the small side free for airing out the room. Alternatively, pretty much every German window is able to tilt inwards, and that way you can get some airflow going as well, without opening the entire window. (One difference to the chicago window being, that both windows tend to be openable.)
Amazing video, congrats from Bogotá Colombia
I like this mix of history in the video, I'd love a run of city/area inspired vids like this one. In Montreal we have the twisty outdoor staicases that are the result of rules and regulations mixed with booming ironworks industries.
Hello from Winnipeg - where our historic Exchange District was inspired by the Chicago School of Architecture :) The 105yr old building I worked in once was the only one I've EVER worked in that had a window that opens, it was a real pleasure :)
Iceland has a very similar window that's very iconic. It's essentially the same as the Chicago window except the side bits open to the side, like a door, instead of up and down. Sometimes it's on one side and sometimes it's on both!
Can you show pictures? 😊
@@brianjones3191 Yeah sure, where?
And sometimes it has top hinges, like the hatch of a car
Chicago is extremely windy, so those kinds of windows could have bent the hardware.
The best way to get ventilation going with sash windows is to open both upper and lower part. This way hot, less dense air leaves the room via the upper part, while fresh, cooler air goes in via the lower part, without turbulence and mixing. This setup actually allows quadruple exchange of air compared with a regular open window of the same size. A pretty ingenuous design, if operated as intended.
Really fun topic . One thing that makes me not give up on social media are channels like this with the history of “ the everyday “. History is not just war . IT’s cooperation, innovation , and creativity and I choose to focus on that vs the former .
Thanks for this. I work in the neighborhood and participate in Open House Chicago when I can. But this is a fun resource to fill in the gaps and make my walks through the Loop more interesting.
OMG, I love this video - and it seems personal for me. My first temp job when I moved to town was for an architectural and engineering firm, and Gunny was a big shot there. I later temped in the Marquette building for the MacArthur foundation - lots of history all around. I know next to nothing about architecture, but I find it fascinating. Perhaps it's time for me to finally take one of the tours...
My home has a Chicago window in our front room. I think that's neat! Thanks for the cool fact! I'll definitely be looking more closely at windows in houses from now on.
Every time I see old footage of glaziers it makes me wonder how many were killed or maimed on the job. Glass is extremely dangerous and in those days PPE was almost nonexistent.
Great video as always.
Very interesting, I learned something today. Thanks from southern Illinois.
Very informative.
Ya know... I've lived in Chicago my whole life and never gave these windows any thought till now. Absolutely wild.
Me also. Never heard of Chicago windows and I’ve lived here 65 years.
I love this channel!
My family had one of these in our rural Iowa home until we remodeled in 2010. I very much miss it and while the replacement is more decorative, it is less functional. I never knew what type of window it was until now; how very cool!
I absolutely love your Stash
Nice, I see a few shots of Pierce Tower: my now-demolished college dorm!
For a while, we rented a small cabin in New Hampshire that had a very large (maybe 48x48) picture window with two smaller operable windows on either side, just like this.
They were standard in 1950s ranch-style houses.
This is awesome
good video. made me subscribe.
I was born and raised in Chicago.... I remember my mother talking about The Chicago Window... she loved them ❤ oh, and transom windows.... it was all about fresh air and ventilation!! (It still should be)... sealed buildings are not healthy... fresh air is.... the only sealed buildings should be under water or in outer space!!! Trees naturally clean the air and create oxygen.... they are a win win for all!
I like this. Thank you
Chicago is more than just really thick pizza pies, folks!
So much more, and windows too!
I'm spending a week in Chicago in April!
thanks Stewart. I love architecture. Im just a drafter not an architect but i love it all the same.
Yes more Chicago love!
The Chicago Prudential Building, built in 1957, had center pivoting windows to allow for easy cleaning from inside the building. However the weather stripping eventually failed and the windows were caulked shut, later to be replaced with e value type.
Those minimally adorned black frame windows set back in thick gothic concrete seem very modern again, to my sensibilities anyway. Really beautiful buildings in this video, end to end.
I live in rural NC and my house has Chicago Style Windows. The side windows are triple stacked awning crank windows.
Homes in the Midwest typically feature a Chicago window in the front of the house( living rooms). Allows light to enter but, takes in account the unpredictable weather( gloomy, overcast, lots of rain). Air circulation is the added bonus.
Chicago also has distinctive bay windows.
Cool video
Next time I go to Chicago I’ll have to take visit all the buildings Stewart has done videos on
My late 19th century Chicago gray stone two flat has a large fixed front bay window with smaller sashed windows on either side.
I grew up in a MCM home in the San Francisco Bay Area. We had "Chicago windows" in all the bedrooms and the kitchen, but the sidelights cranked open, allowing even more air than the double-hung original version.
The townhouses in Washington D.C. have a variant of the Chicago bay window. I've always loved how they have a large picture window in the center, and two operable windows to the side. If i could upload a photo, I would - (I have many). Thanks for the video! : )
I've collected all handmade glass windows and installed them in our home, we love how it reflects the view and sunlight!!! I've only seen one that was truly wavely!!!
The company I’m working with is trying to develop a glass with those leaded characteristics.
All of Chicago apartments have had this. I never realized that this was special to Chicago
🏅there was an interesting contrast ~9:45 With a Seagram style building, and its windows, viewed through the Cicago window you were discussing.
I had to do a double take and confirm that that buildings isn't the Seagram building.
I'm hoping you could some day cover the issue of removing the eves & drip edges. So many masonry façade buildings do this and don't realize that water should not be running the face of the building every time it rains.
never thought that I'd watch a 12 minute video on chicago style windows
I always call the Marquette building the chocolate bar building when I walk past it!
i went to chicago and the window design was EVERYWHERE