Architecture always reflects the time period in which it was born. It reflects technological advancements and developments, as well as the hopes and ambitions of its designers, showing us social and economic contexts from different periods. It is, therefore, possible to learn history through architecture.
Amsterdam’s idiosyncratic buildings
The designs of houses in Amsterdam are beautifully unique as they appear to contradict conventional building forms. The buildings are tall yet remarkably thin, with most of the front elevation comprising large windows. The walls do not seem vertical or parallel and appear as if they will fall as soon as they are met with a large gust of wind, as they lean against each other in a haphazard way.
Examining this rather peculiar Dutch design gives us a window to look back to the period of time when they were constructed, in which we can learn about the political, social, and geographical landscape of Amsterdam in that period.
During the Dutch golden age Amsterdam’s economy was quickly expanding, due partly to the vast amount of trade that it facilitated, thanks to its canal system. As competition for land increased, a tax was introduced on buildings relating to the width of the canal facing façade. Naturally, those wanting to pay less tax made their properties thin, but in order to still have space they built upwards. This created somewhat lanky houses.
The ground beneath Amsterdam is extremely soft, meaning that houses had to be built on wooden pilings, similar to how Venice was constructed. The wooden piles were driven deep enough until they hit sand that was strong enough to support the weight of a building. As the piles age and deteriorate, it is common for the foundations and buildings to subside, and sink, resulting in structures higher on one side. This gives the buildings their distinctive angles.
Many buildings also lean forward, but this feature is actually by design. Merchants who were using the canal for trade, occupied the buildings to store their goods. Due to the slender design of the buildings, staircases were narrow making it difficult to impossible to move goods upstairs, something that was needed as lower floors were prone to flooding. Buildings were fitted with a hook just below the roof, allowing for items to be winched up and down and passed through windows. To stop damage to the front elevation and to the valuable goods, houses were made to lean forward to stop any contact.
Window tax
Government intervention in the form of taxation can be seen elsewhere. In 17th-century England there was a need for increased taxation but, due to the strong public dislike of income tax, a window tax was levied instead. This was intended to be progressive as those living in smaller houses, with fewer windows, tended to be poorer, and vice versa. However, as it was the property owner who paid the tax, often a landlord, tenement buildings were often boarded up, with new buildings constructed without sufficient window accommodation, (UK Parliament, 2019).
Many houses left gaps for windows, but filled them in with bricks, in order to keep the symmetry and allow them to be glazed later. In 1797 when the tax was tripled, it became even more common for apertures to be filled in. This policy even extended to new buildings, with flats in Edinburgh being built without one single window.
The great Chicago fire and the birth of the skyscraper
Skyscrapers are a testament to the marvel of modern engineering and literal sky-high thinking from designers. However, their creation was not due to a desire for innovation, but instead in response to disaster
The great Chicago fire, of 1871, burned for three days, destroying over seventeen thousand structures. This stimulated significant change in the urban landscape of not only Chicago but later the world.
To prevent a repeat disaster, building codes were changed, becoming stricter, and, due to advances in materials, steel, and stone were prioritised over wood. The home insurance building was an early pioneer of these techniques. Designed by William LeBaron Jenne it was unique at the time as it “implemented an innovative system which relied on a cast iron frame to bear the weight of the building, rather than traditional load-bearing walls”, (Chicago Architecture Center, 2024). This made the building lighter, allowing for greater height to be achieved, becoming a precursor to modern-day skyscrapers.
Although it has since been demolished, in 1931, its legacy still stands in the countless skyscrapers that have become part of everyday life.
The built environment that surrounds us offers us much more than mere construction. All architecture, ancient or new, simple or complex, famous or obscure, in some way, captures the essence of its own time period, acting as tangible records of human endeavours. In our modern world, new buildings that emerge show our current thinking, with sustainable design being at the forefront, highlighting our concerns for climate change.
Bibliography:
“Chicago Architecture Center.” Chicago Architecture Center, 2024, www.architecture.org/online-resources/buildings-of-chicago/home-insurance-building.
UK Parliament. “Window Tax.” UK Parliament, 2019, www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/transformingsociety/towncountry/towns/tyne-and-wear-case-study/about-the-group/housing/window-tax/.
Images:
- Beresford, J. Crooked Houses, Amsterdam, 18 Feb. 2020, rjberesfordphotography.co.uk/photo_16641421.html.
- Leaning Houses. www.amsterdamsights.com/amsterdam/photos/only/02.html.
- Blind Windows. 17 Apr. 2022, ruralhistoria.com/2023/04/17/window-tax/.
- architectuul. Home Insurance Building, 19 Sept. 2019, architectuul.com/architecture/home-insurance-building.
