Final answer:
During the 1870's-1880's, industrially produced materials like iron, steel, and plate glass, emerging from the Industrial Revolution, changed the face of construction and architecture. Innovations like cast iron with brick for 'fireproof' buildings, section beams, and mass-produced components allowed for new building techniques and modern architectural styles with functionalist designs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Building Materials and Methods in the 1870's-1880's
In the 1870's-1880's, the building industry experienced a transformative period due to the Industrial Revolution. The development and use of industrially produced materials brought significant changes to architectural techniques and building structures. One notable example of innovative use of new materials is the Crystal Palace designed by Joseph Paxton which utilized iron and glass to create a landmark structure for the Great Exhibition of 1851.
Further advancements in building materials occurred when Charles Bage introduced a "fireproof" design using cast iron and brick, which strengthened the structure of mills and enabled them to hold larger machines. The refinement of iron as a reliable construction material was achieved in the early 1830s, when English engineer Eaton Hodgkinson introduced the section beam. This innovation led to the widespread use of iron in construction, marking a departure from the traditional methods that relied on stacking stones, laying brick, or lashing wood.
The new building materials such as steel, plate glass, and mass-produced components revolutionized architecture by allowing for bold structural frames with clean lines and either plain or shiny surfaces. By this era, modern architecture had begun to embrace the motto "decoration is a crime," highlighting the shift towards functionalism and away from ornamentation in design.