It is one of the more recognized monuments in American history, but did you know that despite a significant change in design it still finished on time?
That's right, today's #TBT is the Lincoln Memorial. If you have been there, you understand the size and magnitude of the statue of Lincoln sitting inside. It is quite a marvel.
But originally, it was smaller. In fact, after the columns were up the size of the statue was doubled so that it wouldn't get lost in the huge space of the building. This required steel struts to be added beneath the floor, within an already complex and complete foundation system, to support the added weight.
Yet the project finished on time. Who would have thought?
Another interesting fact about this project, the different stones used in construction. Despite it's uniform appearance, this is no one-quarry build.
Terrace walls? Massachusetts granite
Steps & columns? Colorado marble
Interior walls? Indiana limestone
Floor? Tennessee pink marble
Ceiling? Alabama marble
Lincoln himself? Georgia marble
While seemingly random and possibly utilized to speed construction, this was a purposeful design decision. Designer Henry Bacon chose each one to tell the story about a country, torn apart by war, coming together in unity to build something great.
It is quite a lesson, indeed.
#construction #contech #enablinginnovation Kahua
Absolutely love the focus on both aesthetics and practicality!