Factors Leading To The Chicago Fire Of 1871

Located on the beautiful blue Michigan Lake, Chicago is home to the largest buildings and some of the most unique architecture in the world. The architecture of Chicago has really evolved over the past couple of centuries. This evolution helps to show how Chicago is changing as a whole. With a mixture of architectural components and many different designs. One of the main factors that contributed to the advancement of the city’s architecture was the Chicago Fire of 1871. With the fire destroying most of the city it allowed them to re-build, using new construction methods and better innovations. The use of steel frames helped Chicago in the re-build of their city allowing it to be built taller and stronger. Due to space restrictions in Chicago

The more population grows the greater the demand is for larger and more efficient buildings. Also, as more and more people are visiting or moving to Chicago the city receives added revenue which allows funding for those projects. One example of this is people coming and touring Willis Tower. People from all over the world come to visit and tour, giving the city and the building added revenue. The Willis Tower, formally known as the Sears Tower, when built was one of the tallest buildings in the world. “Although its record-breaking height has been surpassed several times over, its innovative structural design remains noteworthy”(“Willis”). The design is built in a very unique way to sustain high wind gusts, as the tall building is very vulnerable to wind damage. The architects that built this tower thought of a way to decrease the wind damage, “The tower is comprised of a cluster of nine tubes connected together to act as a single unit. The tubes support one another, strengthening the structure as a whole. Meanwhile, the variations in tube height disrupt the force of the wind” (“Willis”). Even though there are more advanced ways to build skyscrapers, these architects used innovative thinking to make the most out of what they had available. Through trial and error as well as the money collected over the years, it has led to architectural advancements throughout the city, country, and

Innovative design features allow structures such as Aqua Tower and Vista Tower to have a minimal environmental impact while still offering a great-looking building. The Aqua Tower stands 976 feet tall and 82 stories above the ground. The design of the building is magnificent, the waves in the building actually serve a purpose, and with this design, it is more sustainable in the wind. Making it a better environment for residents and guests, “Strategically sculpting the shape of each floor slab offers comfortable outdoor terraces, where neighbors can casually and comfortably interact when desired” (“Aqua”). Another building with cool features is the Vista Tower, the third tallest building on Chicago’s skyline, and is known for its curvilinear-shaped structure. “An innovative structural system allows the central volume to be lifted from the ground plane, creating a new essential pedestrian connection between the Chicago Riverwalk and the nearby community park’s outdoor recreational facilities” (Editors). Meaning that by incorporating this building into the architecture it brings the community more together because of how they view it. The skyline in Chicago is ever-changing as new buildings are being built. While older ones are restructured, rehabilitated, or just torn down to make room for new buildings with more creative