this been attained, that the introduction of reinforced concrete marks a new epoch in the history of building, the possibilities of which seem unlimited.Furthermore, I feel that we are approaching an era where the preference for steel construction fireproofed with terracotta or other fireproof material for general building work is likely to be superseded by this more recent construction. To quote from a current periodical, "We cannot measure to-morrow by the yard-stick of yesterday. It takes prophetic insight to lay the lines broad enough and wide enough for the needs of the future, and the world moves so rapidly that even the highest wisdom finds its best calculations none too ample for the requirements of this growing world."Viewing the great buildings which stand before us to-day as the exponent of that high constructional skill possessed by the Gothic architects, pre-eminent in the list are the French Gothic Cathedrals. These buildings are of masonry, construction solely, and have stood the ravages of time.But, on the other hand, knowing that the life of steel and iron in construction is a very indefinite quantity, may we not ask ourselves what is to become of the steel skyscraper in the ages to come? As the protection afforded steel or iron imbedded in cement is, for all practical purposes, absolute, is not the logic of reinforced concrete established, and may we not, with much more certainty, secure a permanent construction which will not only outlive steel or iron as genera!ly used today, but possesses more truth of expression in art, which is one of the fundamental principles of the great works of the Middle Ages.Generally speaking, what has been accomplished with the steel skeleton construction is possible in reinforced concrete, and furthermore, if we so will, we can make not only the structural elements of a building of reinforced concrete, but also the ornamental features as well. This, for certain classes of buildings, makes it more desirable as a method of construction, while for the more monumental class, it hardly seems a fitting material in which to carry out any artistic expression.However, for business buildings and factories, there seems to be no good reason why the exterior walls and ornamentation, such as is used for these structures, should not be built of rein-January, 19o6 ] Reinforced Concrete in Construction.
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