The Function of Form

The Function of Form. . , From this site at the turn of the twentieth century, one could inventory the wholesaling and manufacturing businesses that were the lifeblood of Lowertown. Dry goods wholesalers, shoe manufactures, and makers of fur clothing chose a Lowertown location for its proximity to rail yards. They built warehouses custom designed to fit their needs., New forms of architecture and building materials facilitated warehouse expansion. Architects rebuilding Chicago after the fire of 1871 experimented with iron framing, and the technique soon spread. At the same time, the newly designed Otis elevator made upper stories accessible. Steel-framed walls and improvements in reinforced-concrete construction allowed buildings to span more space while increasing window size., The space and daylight that made these buildings desirable for warehousing and manufacturing became amenities for modern office workers and apartment dwellers, who may give little thought to the shoe makers, garment makers, and warehouse clerks who once labored here.