Carson Pirie Scott Department Store: Architecture and Functionality

This report provides an analysis of the Carson Pirie Scott Department Store, focusing on its architectural design and functionality. The report begins by introducing the building and its historical context, highlighting its significance as one of the first skyscrapers in Chicago and its role in breaking the monotony of the city's skyline. The analysis delves into the architectural principles employed by Louis Sullivan, emphasizing his adherence to the 'form follows function' philosophy. The report examines how Sullivan designed the building to reflect the social functions it was meant to serve, especially in the lower street level and entrance to attract shoppers. It also discusses the tripartite skyscraper design, the use of large windows, and the placement of doors to enhance visibility and accessibility. The report also references the works of Giedion and Siry, providing a comprehensive overview of the building's design and its impact on the evolution of architectural practices.

ARCHITECTURE
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1Carson Pirie Scott Department Store, Louis Sullivan 1904
Introduction
Carson Pirie Scott Department Store was the first building in the nineteenth century that
incorporated the word skyscrapers in the city of Chicago1. The fruits of a new prosperity are
enjoyed when the dawns of enlightened views break through the dark problems that surround us
thereby creating a new freedom for the human kind Carson Pirie Scott Department Store breaks
the monotony of crowds of the tall building along State and Madison Streets of Chicago. The
structure is constructed of bronze on the ground floor with the facades finished on broad white.
Carson Pirie Scott Department Store
The building serves to illustrate the relationship between architecture and commerce. Being an
architect of the neoclassical times, Sullivan maintained his phrase of form follows function in his
design work. He thus resorted to coming up with a building that reflects the social functions that
are to be served by the space2. This was after he analyzed the challenges of high-rise commercial
architecture.
He illustrates his philosophy through describing an ideal tripartite skyscraper in which the first
level which is the base level is the ground floor that houses business activities. The ease of public
access, open space and light dominate. The second level is accessed by the public through the3
staircase. The next level encompasses offices which have the same design because they serve the
1 Giedion, Sigfried. Space, Time and Architecture: The Growth of a New Tradition. New York: Harvard
University Press, 2013
2 Ibid.,152
3 Siry, Joseph. Carson Pirie Scott: Louis Sullivan and the Chicago Department Store. Chicago:
University of Chicago Press, 2015.
4 Ibid., 324

same function. As was argued by some of the modernist architects of the time, Sullivan based his
design achieving more of functionality than beauty. It is possible to build a beautiful structure
but at that time Sullivan went for a structure that is ugly but functional as opposed to just
erecting just façade architecture.
Sullivan illustrates his philosophy in the design of Carson Pirie Scott Department Store in which
he gives emphasis to the lower street level and entrance that attract shoppers into the store. He
achieves that by using very large windows on the ground floor used in displaying products,
placing the three doors that serve as the entrance within a rounded bay at a corner of the site4.
The placement of the doors makes them visible from any direction when one is approaching the
building.

References
Giedion, Sigfried. Space, Time and Architecture: The Growth of a New Tradition. New York:
Harvard University Press, 2013.
Siry, Joseph. Carson Pirie Scott: Louis Sullivan and the Chicago Department Store. Chicago:
University of Chicago Press, 2015.