Chrysler Building- An Aesthetic Building

New York is often referred as the jungle of skyscrapers. Hundreds of grand buildings are surrounded all around the city. One of these buildings is Chrysler Building which is considered as one of the most important architectural achievement.The official building in New York is designed by William Van Alen. It is always referred as the essence of art deco. Its best feature is its stainless steel sun burst triangular pattern. The construction of the building started in 1928 and ended in 1930.

Complex designing process of Chrysler Building

Chrysler building was the tallest when it was built (height- 319 meters) and claimed this honor until the opening of Empire State Building in 1931. The ornamental patterns in the façade are highly geometrical as demanded by Walter Chrysler. It is the tallest brick building in the world.

Initial proposed design had only 40 floors, later the final designs were changed a number of times. Ultimately a 68 floored building was proposed. The most striking feature of the building, its metallic crown was added in spite of the initial opposition of the architect. It was believed that the crown would look like a sparkling jewel in the night.

The Final Step

The final drawings were published in the magazine of American Institute of Architects. But the design was too expensive and advance, so an alternate design was published in 1928. The new design was more conservative and had a different dome with different brick laying patterns. This original project belonged to William Reynolds. but he had to sell the project to Chrysler corporation as he had no means to continue with the construction. Now with this takeover, a few new changes were done.

The 808-foot building was now designed to be 925 foot tall. The new modification involved an artistic dome with many arches and triangular windows. The building was made for an automobile corporation so many small details were added according to that, such as gargoyles at 31st floor, eagles at 61st floor, many radiator cap designed ornaments.

Competition to make the building tallest in world

Chrysler building was basically a fight to build the tallest building as it was competing with wall street building. A 35 m long spire was later added later secretly making the building 1046 feet tall and the tallest of that time. The building is praised immensely for its structure and metal work. This competition is the prime reason, that the designs were changed again and again. But the end result was worth it.