Jason Zappulla

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AP Art History Compare and Contrast Essay #20

#124 Carson, Pirie, Scott and Company Building vs. #152 House in

New Castle County

There are important similarities between Carson, Pirie, Scott and

Company Building by Louis Sullivan, and House in New Castle County by

Robert Venturi. Both are pieces that are a radical shift from their

predecessors: Company Building is an early example of a skyscraper, while

House in New Castle County rejects simplified and austere design in favor of

a more decorative and disunited look. Also, while Company Building is

generally un-ornamented, it does have some decorative elements one its

lower floors, such as cast-iron floral designs and cornice, which would be a

similarity with House in New Castle County. Finally, both buildings are split

into two parts with major stylistic differences between them: the front and

back faade for House in New Castle County, and the upper and lower floors

for Carson, Pirie, Scott and Company Building.

However, there are also important differences between Carson, Pirie,

Scott and Company Building and House in New Castle County. While Carson,

Pirie, Scott, and Company Building is a commercial skyscraper, House in New

Castle County is a small residential home. In addition, while Company

Building is an example of austere, urban, rigid modern architecture, House in

New Castle County is a reaction against this kind of style, instead favoring

reduced unity and a more complex design. While Company Building is in

bustling Chicago, House in New Castle County is in a quiet and empty field in

New Castle County, Delaware. Lastly, while Sullivan followed the mantra

form follows function in designing Company Building, meaning functional

aspects take precedence over decorative elements, Venturi on House in New

Castle County doesnt seem to strictly adhere to this rule, with examples of

Venturis deviation from the rule being the off-center chimney, and the flat-

like columns on the rear faade.