Louis Sullivan was born in Boston, Massachusetts as the son of a dancing master. During his early adult years, he studied architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and worked as a draftsman with the renowned Philadelphia firm of Furness and Hewitt. Following the great Chicago Fire of 1871, Sullivan moved to Chicago to take part in the building boom. He spent his first year in Chicago working for William LeBaron Jenney, the architect who is credited with designing the first skyscraper. Sullivan then studied for a year in Paris at the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts. He returned to Chicago became a draftsman for John Edelman, who introduced him to Dankmar Adler. In 1879 Sullivan was hired by architect and engineer Dankmar Adler and within a few years later, Sullivan became a full partner in the firm. The firm of Adler and Sullivan began work on the Auditorium Building in 1886, when Sullivan was only thirty years old.
In 1890 Sullivan was one of ten architects chosen to design a major structure for the "White City", the World's Columbian Exposition, held in Chicago in 1893. The result was the colorful Transportation Building with an arched "Golden Door." The building was often criticized by Americans as it was the only multicolored facade in the White City. Outside American however, Sullivan's Transportation Building was the only building at the 1893 World's Fair to receive extensive recognition, receiving awards from the Union Centrale des Artes Decoratifs.
In 1890 Sullivan was one of ten architects chosen to design a major structure for the "White City", the World's Columbian Exposition, held in Chicago in 1893. The result was the colorful Transportation Building with an arched "Golden Door." The building was often criticized by Americans as it was the only multicolored facade in the White City. Outside American however, Sullivan's Transportation Building was the only building at the 1893 World's Fair to receive extensive recognition, receiving awards from the Union Centrale des Artes Decoratifs.
Kindergarten Chats and Other Writings (1918)
- In this creative, seminal work, his theories about architecture, art, education, and life in general are presented in the form of dialogues, or "chats," between an architect and a novice.
- All things in nature have a shape, that is to say, a form, an outward semblance, that tells us what they are, that distinguishes them from ourselves and from each other.
- This volume brings together for the first time all the papers Louis Sullivan intended for a public audience, from his first interview in 1882 to his last essay in 1924.
- This autobiography is a fascinating look at the early creative years of Louis Sullivan. Includes a wealth of projects, insights, and evaluations, as well as 34 plates. An essential tool in gaining an understanding of the roots of modern American architecture.
Inspiration: An Essay (1886)
- Read at the third annual convention of the Western association of architects, at Chicago, November 17, 1886.
- Thoughts about architecture
- Completed in the last year of his life, this project—an essay and 20 detailed plates— outlines Sullivan’s belief that ornament was the supreme expression of a designer’s intellect and creative freedom.
Auditorium Building
50 E. Congress Parkway, 430 S. in Michigan Ave, Chicago. USA.
1886 - 1890.
The biggest building in Chicago since the fire of 1871
1886 - 1890.
The biggest building in Chicago since the fire of 1871
Wainwright Building
Wainwright State Office Building, 111 N 7th St, St. Louis, USA.
1893.
The Wainwright Building is a ten-story office building constructed 1890-91 and designed by Louis Sullivan. The first two floors are faced in brown sandstone, severely plain; the next seven stories rise in continuous red brick piers, those on the corners three times the width of those between the windows.
1893.
The Wainwright Building is a ten-story office building constructed 1890-91 and designed by Louis Sullivan. The first two floors are faced in brown sandstone, severely plain; the next seven stories rise in continuous red brick piers, those on the corners three times the width of those between the windows.
World’s Columbian Exposition, Transportation Building
Frederick Law Olmsted's Jackson Park, Chicago.
USA.
1893.
The Transportation Building was unique among the great structures of the Columbian Exposition in that it was the single departure from a general rule, the contrast and the foil to all the others. It was distinct in its style of architecture, and alone was decorated exteriorly in colors. It was not of those buildings which won for the Exposition the title of “The White City.”
USA.
1893.
The Transportation Building was unique among the great structures of the Columbian Exposition in that it was the single departure from a general rule, the contrast and the foil to all the others. It was distinct in its style of architecture, and alone was decorated exteriorly in colors. It was not of those buildings which won for the Exposition the title of “The White City.”
Carson, Pirie, Scott Building
9 E Madison St, Chicago.
USA.
1899.
Sullivan's building is an important example of early Chicago skyscraper architecture, and can also be seen as a fascinating indicator of the relationship between architecture and commerce.
USA.
1899.
Sullivan's building is an important example of early Chicago skyscraper architecture, and can also be seen as a fascinating indicator of the relationship between architecture and commerce.
Merchants’ National Bank
Grinnell, Iowa
USA.
1914.
It is one of a series of small banks designed by Louis Sullivan in the Midwest between 1909 and 1919.
USA.
1914.
It is one of a series of small banks designed by Louis Sullivan in the Midwest between 1909 and 1919.