In early 20th century Chicago, the established ideas of functionalism and historicism manifested themselves in the conflicting theories of organicism and classicism. Although there were prominent classical resurgences during the City Beautiful movement and the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893, these revivals did not align with what the Prairie and Chicago school had initiated – to conceive a modern, commercial metropolis.1 Because of the automation of the construction industry, these historical movements held back, but were vital, to the progression of Chicago as it highlighted the struggle between the organicist and the classicist. Ultimately, the societal needs of the public and the failure to properly integrate classical buildings gave rise to organicism.
The contrasting ideologies started its clash during the middle of the 19th century, when the rapid development of Chicago and concurrent influx of radical ideas offered an opportunity for new theories and technological advancements to take hold of this clean slate.…
