By Aarush Borker
On the corner of Lexington Avenue and 42nd Street, in the bustling heart of New York City, lies one of the most beautiful and iconic buildings in the world. On this day, May 27th, 1930, The Chrysler Building was officially opened to the public. Housing the headquarters of the Chrysler Company, it also stood tall as a symbol of progress, and engineering prowess, and represented the rapidly evolving modern age of the time. The construction of the Chrysler Building was a feat of engineering innovation, utilizing pioneering techniques and materials that pushed the boundaries of what was possible in skyscraper design. From its steel frame construction to the use of high-strength rivets and advanced elevator systems, the building showcased the ingenuity and technical prowess of civil engineers, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of urban infrastructure and the capabilities of high-rise construction.
The History of the Chrysler Building
Walter P. Chrysler, head of the Chrysler Corporation at the time, had commissioned a building in the heart of New York City to act as the headquarters of the company, as well as a personal monument. It was designed to symbolize Chrysler's growing power in the automotive industry throughout America.
The tower also gained a reputation for being one of the most visually pleasing buildings in the NYC skyline. This is thanks to William Van Alen, an architect specializing in Art Deco. Some examples of this can be seen below. In essence, the design of the bridge can be described as geometric, extravagant, and reminiscent of medieval and in my opinion, a bit dystopian. In fact, during the building, it was part of a competition to build the world's tallest skyscraper. The main competitor was the Bank of Manhattan Trust Building. By the end of the construction of the buildings, the bank was taller, gaining the title of the largest skyscraper. This, however, was short-lived as just a month later, Chrysler revealed the 185-foot spire that was hidden within the building, boosting it past the bank's building. In the end, the Chrysler Building won the competition by 119 feet, leading to it being crowned as the tallest building in the world until overshadowed by the Empire State Building only a year later.
Construction started on September 19th, 1928, and finished exactly 94 years ago today, May 27th, 1930. The public viewed the building as an architectural masterpiece and left many in awe.
Now designated as a New York City Landmark, the timeless design contributes to the building, which is still being used as an active office.
A More Technical Look
The Foundation
The builders used a unique foundation system of timber-lined caissons, or pillars, that went down to depths of 60-70 feet. These caissons were filled with concrete leading to a very fortified base. Figuring out the design for this was uniquely difficult due to the height of the building, the resources at the time, and the fact that Manhattan has a very dense bedrock just below the surface.
Steel Frame Construction
When looking at the anatomy of the tower, there is a very rigid grid pattern. The name of this framework design is steel frame construction, meaning that the skeleton of the tower is made by connecting vertical and horizontal steel beams with rivets; strong, durable, permanent, metal fasteners; and welds. Although very common, it stands the test of time as it is still used in modern buildings due to its simplicity and ability to handle both vertical and lateral loads.
The use of rivets to hold steel on bridges together
The steel frame of the Chrysler Building
Curtain Wall Facade
The facade of the Chrysler Building was very unique for its time as the outer layer did not do much to support the weight of the building. The facade (outer walls) only had to support its own weight due to the non-load-bearing system of the building. This means that exterior walls were not the supports of the building, but rather, mainly for appearance. Because of this, the architects had much more creative freedom and the ability to enhance aesthetic appeal while not hindering structural efficiency. With this, the exterior was filled with over 3800 windows! The facade was made of brick, stone, and stainless steel, chosen for their balance in durability and aesthetic. The use of stainless steel, especially for the spire, aided the building in being resistant to corrosion.
Spire Construction
The spire, or the beam at the top of the building is the most recognizable part of the tower. The story of it, as stated above, helped it become the tallest tower in the world for a time. Aside from this, the spire was also a marvel on its own. It was first constructed in sections within the building and only put together by the end of it to reduce the risk associated with building such infrastructure at this great of a height. Once finished, It was put into place in pieces. Additionally, it was designed to be lightweight, yet structurally sound. This was accomplished by its tapering shape which reduced wind resistance and aerodynamic drag. In other words, the unique design helped wind flow more smoothly around the surface of the spire.
Diagram of the Spire being assembled in pieces over time
Significance of the Chrysler Building
The Chrysler Building was originally built for one simple purpose. It was made to serve as the headquarters of the Chrysler Company but evolved into something much more significant.
It stood as a symbol of progress. It was one of the first skyscrapers to surpass the 1000-foot mark. It was a figurative and literal pillar to symbolize the ambition and growth of the Roaring Twenties.
It also rapidly became an integral part of New York City and has been a big part of the culture throughout the area. It is so established that it has been in countless shows and movies. To name a few, it has been in Law and Order, both Men in Blacks, and many of the Spiderman movies.
It marked a new milestone in the engineering sector. The ingenious engineering talked about above contributes to its timeless structural strength. Combining common techniques like steel frame construction with unique strategies such as prefabricating the spire, it comes together to form a building that is both structurally sound and awe-striking.
It had a lasting impact on the economic state of the United States and NYC. The U.S., especially New York, had just entered the Great Depression Era, yet the Chrysler Company continued with the project despite financial setbacks. By the end, it aided in both bringing new jobs to the city and contributing to the revitalization of Manhattan's Midtown neighborhood.
Conclusion
From these points above, it becomes clear that the multifaceted Chrysler Building holds much more value than simply a headquarters for a car company, but rather a symbol that signifies the progress of the world at the time in the fields of engineering and design. It still stands today as a NYC Commission landmark and will be maintained as a historical monument for future generations. Despite this, it is still utilized as a workspace, proving its truly timeless construction.
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