Chicago 1890

 In the lecture “CHICAGO 1890: The Skyscraper and the Modern City” Joanna Merwood-Salisbury illustrates the idea that the skyscrapers from the late 19th century were the results of their makers' experiences with their environment. One observation she makes is the lack of ornamentation on building structures and the link to John Roots observation of urbanization during that time. 

John Root writes in a journal about the bustling city life contrasting that of rural areas and why this would call for less decorative elements due to the small amount of appreciation and attention that is given under these circumstances. His observation of people rushing to and fro in his perspective resulted in less ornamentation on his subsequent buildings such as the Monadnock. 

Another building influenced by its designer's reflections of the growing city life is the Resilience. This was the result of Atwood and Burnham's witnessing of the smog and factory debris evident during that time. What they wanted to do to was make people feel as though they are sheltered from the uncomfortableness and the intimidation that the smog and smoke represented to them and they did this with terra cotta bricks and plate glass walls.