The Bahá’í Centenary 1844-1944/The Temple Superstructure
 | The text below this notice was generated by a computer, it still needs to be checked for errors and corrected. If you would like to help, view the original document by clicking the PDF scans along the right side of the page. Click the edit button at the top of this page (notepad and pencil icon) or press Alt+Shift+E to begin making changes. When you are done press "Save changes" at the bottom of the page. |
TEMPLE SUPERSTRUCTURE 1930-1931
INVESTXGATION or MATERIALS
EARLY in 1921, the Executive Board appointed a materials committee, consisting of the late Major H. J. Burt, the structural engineer, as chairman, Louis Bourgeois, the architect, W. S. Maxwell, architect, E. R. Boyle, builder, and Allen B. McDaniel, engineer, to study the problems of materials to be used in the building of the Temple. with special relation to the exterior material. The unique and elaborate design of this nine-sided building had evoked considerable comment at the time of its selection and during subsequent years when the model was exhibited in museums, art centers, libraries and other public places in the larger Cities of the United States and Canada. Over a period of nine years, and with a personnel changed through the death of Major Burt and other causes, this committee made three reports based on a world-wide study and investigation of building materials and their use in monumental structures. Samples of cast stone, terra cotta, aluminum alloy and architectural concrete were prepared by various concerns and placed on the property adjacent to the basement to test their durability, weathering, and discoloration. Conferences were held with leading representatives of the stone, cast stone, terra cotta. metals and concrete industries. After months of studies, investigations and conferences the committee was able to get only one definite estimate for the exterior ornamentation. The Earlcy Studio, Washington, D. C.. submitted a full-size sample of the dome ornamentation and a preliminary estimate for the entire project. Soon after the acceptance of his design, the architect, in search of a suitable, practicable material of which his unique design could be executed. had met and interested John J. Earley, an architectural sculptor, who had developed a new type (exposed aggregate) of architectural concrete. The nature of the design with its intricate ornamentation and repe US
tition of forms and details was especially adapted to a material such as concrete, plastic when placed in molds or on the building. and becoming as hard and durable as stone upon setting.
SUPEKSTRUCTURH Russo
By 1929 the Trustees had received cash donations amounting to $400,000, sufficient to proceed with the building of the superstructure. The materials committee recommended to the Trustees the construction of the entire superstructure framework enclosed with a metal-glass dome and metal frame windows and temporary doors. A careful cost analysis had disclosed the practicability of constructing the skeleton structure for the estimated cost of building the first story complete with a temporary roof, as originally contemplated by the architect and the Trustees, who realized that the Temple work must proceed in stages, as funds from time to time became available.
This plan was adopted and in August, 1930, a contract was awarded to the George A. Fuller Company of New York to build this framework superstructure on the foundation. Due to the financial depression at that time, the contractor was enabled to do the work with expedition and such economy that the plumbing and part of the beating and lighting systems were installed with available funds-—thus providing a completely enclosed and usable building. The structural design was prepared by Beniamin B. Shapiro, Consulting Engineer, Chicago. and the building was erected under his immediate supervision.
As this project started, the architect died in his studio home on the Temple property. He had completed his design, including fullsized drawings of all of the exterior ornamentation, great drawings of remarkable beauty and accuracy, some of them reaching a length of 109 feet.
