04 Technological Modernities Mengoni. Explained throughout this chapter is the way iron and glass are used in the construction of a building and many examples of structures and buildings that use these materials.
Building with Iron: From Living to Transportation [Olivia Kierstead]
Introduction When it comes to the topic of iron, it was barely seen in architecture until the 19th century, but it was continuously in use. As the nineteenth century eventually came around, people began to realize how reliable, and durable it is, as well as the structural potential it provides, and, as a result, stopped constructing buildings and structures in the forms of arcades. Many examples of the positive outcomes this material provides is a decrease in expenses due to iron being cheaper than stone. It does better with fire than wood ever would, and the material is lightweight and easier to ship in bulk due to its prefabrication and ready-made assembly. As a result of what this material is capable of, it has been used in many structures and buildings over the years, such as: the Crystal Palace by Joseph Paxton, the Halle au Ble by Francois - Joseph Belanger, and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II by Giuseppe
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Iron is one of the most prominent materials which emerged from the Industrial Revolution as an essential building element, not only for architecture but for emerging feats of engineering, too. A form of architecture which became important during this time was known as the ferrovitreous technique. It used iron and glass to construct large, fireproof structures such as factories, train stations, bridges, and warehouses. Using iron to build things like web-trusses, suspension cables, and tubes for bridges, architects and engineers worked hand-in-hand to discover the possibilities of the material. “The greatest advances in iron construction commenced with Stephenson’s long-span bridges for his railways. His posthumously completed Britannia Bridge of 1850 over the Menai Strait, located within view of Telford’s suspension bridge, introduced another kind of national symbol.”9. Using the newly created iron railways, iron truss pieces and other large elements were able to be transported more quickly and efficiently. Though it sacrificed the beauty seen in the previous common styles of delicate and ornamental classical forms, the age of iron buildings allowed the pace of engineering and architectural innovations to skyrocket.
Technological Modernities
