Louise Sullivan Building #4 – Guaranty Building

This is the fourth building that I am writing my blog on, which Louise Sullivan designed. The Guaranty Building is formerly called the Prudential Building. It was built in Buffalo, New York. The building was finished in 1896 and it was an early skyscraper there. The building is established as a National Historic Landmark. This building was also designed by Alder as well. It is recognized as one of Sullivan’s and is an outstanding example of his innovations. Ornamentation is something that I have found to be common in Sullivan’s buildings. According to my research, “the Guaranty Building makes ornament the focus through the use of terra cotta to cover two full exterior surfaces.” (https://www.hodgsonruss.com/Louis-Sullivans-Guaranty-Building.html)

The Ornamentation on this building was inspired by flowers, seedpods, and, at the top of the building, the spreading branches of a tree. This is something that I find very cool. Sullivan’s use of ornaments makes me think he wanted to bridge the buildings (and some of his other buildings) with the natural world.