Derek Swalwell

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From Stone Walls to Skyscrapers: Understanding Structural Masonry

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The Monadnock Building in Chicago began construction in 1891 and is still in use today. The building features a somber facade without ornamentation and a colossal height - at the time - of 16 floors. It is considered the first skyscraper built in structural masonry, with ceramic bricks and a granite base. To support the entire load of the building, the structural walls on the ground floor are 1.8 meters thick, and at the top, 46 centimeters. One hundred and thirty years later, this construction system remains common and allows for the erection of taller buildings with much thinner walls, accomplishing even new architectural works economically and rationally. But what is structural masonry about, and how can designers use it in architectural projects? And for what kinds of buildings is this system most suitable?

Sorrento Beach House / Jost Architects

Sorrento Beach House / Jost Architects - More Images+ 12

Sorrento, Australia

Northside House / Wellard Architects

Northside House / Wellard Architects - More Images+ 12

Clifton Hill, Australia

Nightingale Ballarat Residential Building / Breathe Architecture

Nightingale Ballarat Residential Building / Breathe Architecture - More Images+ 10

Delatite Cellar Door / Lucy Clemenger Architects

Delatite Cellar Door / Lucy Clemenger Architects - More Images+ 15

  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  300
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2022
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Big Ass Fans, Academy Tiles, Ambiance Lumiere, Blackbutt, Design Nation, +16
  • Professionals: Art Gardens Australia, Easton, DBQS

Local House / Zen Architects

Local House / Zen Architects - More Images+ 20

  • Architects: Zen Architects
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  214
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2022
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Fisher & Paykel, Designer Doorware, Great Dane, Pickering Joinery, Richmond Lighting, +2

Carpenter’s Square House / Albert Mo Architects

Carpenter’s Square House / Albert Mo Architects - More Images+ 19

Melbourne, Australia

Silvertop House / Tom Robertson Architects

Silvertop House / Tom Robertson Architects - Exterior Photography, Houses, Facade
© Derek Swalwell

Silvertop House / Tom Robertson Architects - More Images+ 13

Malvern, Australia

Outside In House / HYLA Architects

Outside In House / HYLA Architects - More Images+ 12

Terrace House / Austin Maynard Architects

Terrace House / Austin Maynard Architects - More Images+ 71

Vertical Oasis House / HYLA Architects

Vertical Oasis House / HYLA Architects - More Images+ 13

Concrete Yin Yang House / HYLA Architects

Concrete Yin Yang House / HYLA Architects - More Images+ 14

Flinders House / Kennedy Nolan Architects

Flinders House / Kennedy Nolan Architects - More Images+ 32

Flinders, Australia

Warrnambool Learning and Library Centre / Kosloff Architecture

Warrnambool Learning and Library Centre / Kosloff Architecture - More Images+ 14

Warrnambool, Australia

Pergola Extension / Krisna Cheung Architects

Pergola Extension / Krisna Cheung Architects - More Images+ 7

North Melbourne, Australia

Fitzroy Bridge House / Matt Gibson Architecture + Design

Fitzroy Bridge House / Matt Gibson Architecture + Design - More Images+ 26

  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2021
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Dinesen, Fritz Hansen, Geberit, Duravit, Ferm Living, +76