John Wellborn Root's residence
Address: 1308-1312 North Astor..
Competed 1888..
About John Wellborn Root ... from the article: "John Wellborn Root – Astor Street Residence"..click here..
A founder of the “Chicago School” of architecture, Root is noted in history as one of the pioneering architects of modernism. Tragically, Root died an untimely death from pneumonia, in this residence, when he was just 41 years old. At the time, he was chief architect for the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893 and a business partner with Daniel Burnham.
Root pioneered modern steel-frame construction. He is credited with developing the floating raft system of interlaced steel and concrete. His innovation of a reinforced concrete slab allowed a building of immense weight to rest on a solid foundation, even in uncertain soil conditions. His ground-breaking design allowed for the elimination of heavy foundation stones and the opening up of below grade elevations providing for unobstructed basements.
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