Final answer:
The Wainwright Building, designed by Louis Sullivan, is often regarded as the first genuinely modern building. It reflects Sullivan's philosophy that 'form follows function,' and is a product of the Chicago School's approach to architecture which emphasized structural steel frames and masonry cladding.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Wainwright Building, designed by Louis Sullivan, is thought by many to be the first genuinely modern building. Using a steel framework with masonry sheathing, Sullivan's approach to the design of this building adhered to the idea that 'form follows function,' a principle that guided much of his work and established him as a father figure in the modern movement in architecture.
The Chicago School of architecture is famous for its steel-frame construction, a method that allowed buildings to rise much higher than before, with masonry cladding providing a sense of solidity and reliability. Moreover, the Chicago School introduced innovations such as large plate-glass window areas, limited exterior ornamentation, and the iconic 'Chicago window.' These architectural elements are a testament to the ability of architects like Sullivan to merge traditional aesthetics with new construction technologies.
At the dawn of the 20th century, architects and designers sought to evolve traditional designs to embrace the technological advances of the Industrial Revolution. The Crystal Palace, for example, was an early indication of such modernist attempts, using iron and glass to create vast, light-filled spaces. Similarly, Sullivan's work with the Wainwright Building paved the way for future architects to further explore and refine the concepts of modernism in architecture, influencing the development of cityscapes for the century to come.