Century Quote by Brendan Gill
“In the later nineteenth century, the tops of skyscrapers often took the shape of domes, surmounted by jaunty gilded lanterns; later came ziggurats, mausoleums, Alexandrian lighthouses, miniature Parthenons. These charming follies contained neither royal corpses nor effigies of gods and goddesses; rather they contained large wooden tanks filled with water.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Architecture of the 19th Century, 1900s
Architects used exotic historic forms for skyscraper tops, creating decorative yet impractical structures filled with water tanks.
In simple terms: Historic styles used decoratively on skyscrapers.
Key Takeaway
Recognize form versus function in design.
Themes
architecture
history
design
ornamentation
function
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
descriptive
historical
When to use this quote
- urban skylines
- tourist attractions
- heritage preservation
Key Concepts
historicism
symbolism
engineering
Questions to Reflect On
- How do decorative choices affect building utility?
- When is ornamentation justified?
A Different Perspective
Aesthetic appeal may mask practical inefficiencies.
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