University of Pennsylvania ScholarlyCommons Theses (Historic Preservation) Graduate Program in Historic Preservation January 2007 The Interplay of Technology and Durability: The Evolution of 20th Century High-Rises and Implications for Preservation Philosophy Ellen C. Buckley University of Pennsylvania Follow this and additional works at: https://repository.upenn.edu/hp_theses Buckley, Ellen C., "The Interplay of Technology and Durability: The Evolution of 20th Century High-Rises and Implications for Preservation Philosophy" (2007). Theses (Historic Preservation). 64. https://repository.upenn.edu/hp_theses/64 A Thesis in Historic Preservation Presented to the Faculties of the University of Pennsylvania in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Historic Preservation 2007. Advisor: Michael C. Henry This paper is posted at ScholarlyCommons. https://repository.upenn.edu/hp_theses/64 For more information, please contact [email protected]. The Interplay of Technology and Durability: The Evolution of 20th Century High- Rises and Implications for Preservation Philosophy Comments A Thesis in Historic Preservation Presented to the Faculties of the University of Pennsylvania in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Historic Preservation 2007. Advisor: Michael C. Henry This thesis or dissertation is available at ScholarlyCommons: https://repository.upenn.edu/hp_theses/64 THE INTERPLAY OF TECHNOLOGY AND DURABILITY: THE EVOLUTION OF 20TH-CENTURY HIGH-RISES AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRESERVATION PHILOSOPHY Ellen C. Buckley A THESIS in Historic Preservation Presented to the Faculties of the University of Pennsylvania in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE IN HISTORIC PRESERVATION 2007 ____________________ ____________________ Advisor Reader Michael C. Henry, AIA, PE David N. Fixler, AIA Lecturer, Historic Preservation Principal, Einhorn, Yaffee, Prescott Partner, Watson & Henry Assoc. ____________________ _____________________ Program Chair Reader Frank G. Matero Donovan Rypkema Professor of Architecture Principal, PlaceEconomics Idedicatethisthesistomyfamily,whoseunwaveringsupporthasguidedmethrough everypursuitI’veundertaken. ii Acknowledgments I owe a debt of gratitude to my family, my friends, and my advisors who supported me through this thesis. My family’s support and love always carries me through challenging projects and my friends provide support, lots of laughs, and a sounding board. I especially want to thank Patrice and Mandy for their encouragement, numerous therapeutic stories and lyrics, and for pushing through this past year together. I also wish to thank Jim for putting up with me throughout this stressful time and for consistently encouraging me and listening to my thoughts about this topic. My advisor, Michael C. Henry, offered a helpful forum for discussing the objective and challenges of my thesis from the inception of the idea through completion. I thank him for his insightful comments and suggestions. I also wish to thank my reader, David Fixler, who took the time to carefully read this document and make meaningful comments, which helped clarify my argument and strengthened my thesis. His suggestions were always on target and were an invaluable contribution. Finally, I want to thank Donovan Rypkema not only for his comments on this thesis, but also for teaching me about the economic component integral to preserving buildings of any vintage. iii I would also like to thank the following people who made significant contributions to my research: William Whitaker Architectural Archives, University of Pennsylvania Julie Tozer Avery Architectural Library, Columbia University Bernard Camins Camins Associates, Philadelphia, PA Kathryn Bourke Faithful + Gould Consulting, UK Peter Flynn Flynn Battaglia Architects Martha Mathewson Flynn Battaglia Architects Kirsten Sibilia FxFowle Architects (New York) Jessica Wyman FxFowle Architects (New York) Kelly New York Historical Society, Print Room Emma White Skyscraper Museum Jason Kirkweg State of Missouri, Design Department (Wainwright Bldg) Dr. Takashi Nireki Tsukuba Building Test Laboratory, Japan Timothy Allanbrook Wise Janney Elstner (New York) Stephen Kelley Wise Janney Elstner (Chicago) Anthony Cinnamon Wise Janney Elstner (Chicago) iv Table of Contents Acknowledgments........................................................................................................ iii List of Figures ..............................................................................................................vii List of Drawings......................................................................................................... viii List of Graphs............................................................................................................... ix Chapter 1: Introduction..................................................................................................1 Introduction......................................................................................................................................3 Modern Movement..........................................................................................................................3 Technology .....................................................................................................................................11 Service Life .....................................................................................................................................17 Preservation Philosophy...............................................................................................................24 Conclusion......................................................................................................................................28 Chapter 3: Methodology ..............................................................................................29 Methodology: Approach...............................................................................................................29 Methodology: Applied ..................................................................................................................33 Chapter 4: High-rises c. 1900 .......................................................................................36 Guaranty Building..........................................................................................................................36 Construction ..............................................................................................................................37 Service Life Analysis .................................................................................................................40 Woolworth Building......................................................................................................................45 Construction ..............................................................................................................................45 Service Life Analysis .................................................................................................................48 Chapter 5: High-rises c. 1925 ....................................................................................... 51 PSFS Building.................................................................................................................................51 Construction ..............................................................................................................................53 Service Life Analysis .................................................................................................................55 Chapter 6: High-rises c. 1950 .......................................................................................59 Lever House ...................................................................................................................................59 Construction ..............................................................................................................................59 Service Life Analysis .................................................................................................................60 Alcoa Building................................................................................................................................66 Construction ..............................................................................................................................67 Service Life Analysis .................................................................................................................69 Seagram Building ...........................................................................................................................73 Construction ..............................................................................................................................75 Service Life Analysis .................................................................................................................77 Chapter 7: High-rises c. 1975 .......................................................................................82 Citicorp Center...............................................................................................................................82 Construction ..............................................................................................................................84