Abstract

The study of a Municipal Building has always appealed to me for many reasons. A building of this sort deals with problems of public planning, public circulation and what we might say municipal architecture as far as the exterior is concerned. Problems that deal with the pacing of public utilities in accessible and practical locations, demand the utmost study and thought and consequently more is learned from this type of study than from that of a private building. Then, too, in the study of the exterior of public buildings the designer is given a chance to build into the architecture the spirit of the Government, local or national, to show dignity and refinement; in short, it gives him a chance to design something that will carry a message to the people.

A Town Hall gives splendid opportunities to the designer, whose conception must show that the structure is the seat of Municipal control, as well as it shelters a practical grouping of the municipal departments.

In the Middle Ages when the Town Hall was in its embryo, we find that the meeting place, market place and place of refuge were combined together under one roof. In later years this building came to be called the "Town Hall." Sometimes a campanile or belfry was added. So we see that the building was primarily a community building. I have combined with the Town Hall an auditorium and community rooms – rooms that are very worth while to study.

Architects are having to deal with Municipal buildings more and more – for they are something that must be built. A Towm Hall as an architectural problem may come to any architect. A program of the problem follows: -

A New England Town of about 25,000 population has outgrown its Town Hall and has decided to hold a competition for a new Municipal Building. To handle this matter a board has been appointed to draw up a program and conduct the competition.

Comments

Print version is Library Use Only/Restricted Circulation. Located at Kranzberg Art & Architecture Library.

Degree

Master of Architecture (MArch)

Author's Department

Graduate School of Architecture

Author's School

Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts

Document Type

Thesis

Date of Award

1924

Language

English (en)

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