Cass Gilbert & The Importance Of Public Architecture

BRIDGEPORT — On Wednesday, October 8, at 6 pm, the Barnum Museum will host a talk by Allan Plattus, professor of Architecture and Urbanism at Yale University. Mr Plattus, founder of the Yale Urban Design Workshop, has extensively studied Cass Gilbert’s work. His program will be “‘Skyscraper’ Pioneer Cass Gilbert and The Importance of Public Architecture.”

Cass Gilbert (1859-1934) was an award winning American architect and is widely considered a “skyscraper” pioneer and a leader in civic design. Mr Gilbert’s building techniques became a cornerstone in architecture for decades.

When it was built in 1913, Gilbert’s Woolworth building in New York City became the world’s tallest building and is arguably the main piece of work that lead Gilbert to widespread fame.

In addition to the Woolworth building, Mr Gilbert also constructed the New York Life Insurance Building in New York City. Gilbert was also responsible for the design of the massive support towers of New York’s George Washington Bridge and he was part of the design team that guided and ultimately approved the modernist design of Manhattan’s Rockefeller Center.

Mr Plattus will discuss the importance of Gilbert’s work and its present impact on architectural design. Mr Plattus will not only point out unique properties in Gilbert’s many nationally recognized treasures, but he will explore buildings designed specifically for the Connecticut landscape.

Admission to the lecture is $7 for adults, $5 for senior citizens and college students, $4 for ages 4-17, and free for ages 3 and under. The museum, at 820 Main Street, can be reached for additional information by calling 203-331-1104 extension 102.