(Not Just) Another Brick in the Wall
Summary
Chicago brick historian Will Quam discusses the city's architectural history through the lens of its humble building material. He explains how the Great Fire of 1871 transformed Chicago from a wood city into a brick one, utilizing locally made "Chicago common" bricks. Quam details the shift from structural masonry to decorative facades, the geographic origins of imported face bricks, and the eventual decline of local brick manufacturing due to concrete and environmental regulations.
Topics discussed
Sponsors: Progressive, Indeed, and Acura
Introduction to the Monadnock Building
The Monadnock's unique masonry construction
Will Quam and the Brick of Chicago tours
Chicago's post-fire rebuild and 'ugly' common bricks
The industrialization of brick manufacturing
The aesthetic of hidden interior brick walls
Geography of brick: regional clay specialties
Transition from structural brick to steel frames
Decline of common brick due to concrete and EPA
Brick as a decorative and design material
Brick as a symbol of permanence and community
Sponsors: Sonos, Amazon Business, Article, Edward Jones
The role of mortar and the dangers of cement
Conclusion and credits
Sponsors: LinkedIn, Ozempic, and L.L. Bean
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