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Farmers and Merchants Union Bank by Louis Sullivan, James Street, Columbus, Wisconsin Photo by John Margolies –

Top 10 Facts about Louis Sullivan.

This list of facts about Louis Sullivan is going to give information on the father of the skyscrapers. He was born in 1856 to Patrick Sullivan (Irish) and Adrianne List (Swiss).

He was one of the most recognized architects in America. Along with Henry Hobson Richardson and Frank Lloyd Wright he belonged to the trinity of American Architecture.

He designed many iconic buildings and is a force in the field of architecture. Sullivan married Margret Hattabough in 1899; they did not bear any children. Sadly, they divorced in 1917.

As an architect, critic and mentor, Louis H. Sullivan had an impact on architecture that extends well beyond his work in Chicago.

From the globally recognized phrase 鈥渇orm ever follows function鈥� to the mentorship of a young Frank Lloyd Wright, Sullivan鈥檚 influence set in motion some of the most important ideas in modern architecture. 

Here are 10 facts about Louis Sullivan.

Fact 1: Form over Function Axiom.

Photo courtsey

Sullivan coined this axiom in 1896. Form over function meant that a building’s interior should reflect the function therein.

He believed that urban architecture design should mimic natural patterns. He borrowed the concept from ancient roman architecture.

Fact 2: Loius Sullivan did not Enjoy School.

Sullivan did not enjoy primary school. This changed after he saw a well-dressed man whom he learned was an architect.

From then on he resolved to become an architect when he grew up. 

At 16 years, Sullivan was the youngest and most inexperienced student admitted to MIT. After graduating, he got a job with Frank Furness and worked on some projects.

The depression of 1873 affected the construction industry thus he had to leave Furness’ company.

Fact 3: Louis Sullivan is the Father of the American Skyscraper.

Louis Sullivan’s Prudential Building, Buffalo, New York Photo by Jack E Boucher –

He was the creator of the modern skyscraper. He designed and constructed amazing high rise buildings.

Sullivan and others used newly discovered steel to create a shell for tall buildings.

Before, steel builders relied on concrete which limited the height of buildings as the higher a building was, the bulkier the foundation. On the contrary, steel was light, versatile and strong he employed a steel skeleton to build higher.

Fact 4: Louis Sullivan Got Fame as a Theatre Architect.

Sullivan teamed up with Adler in what was to become his most productive period as an architect.

He gained popularity as a theatre architect. Due to his exemplary work on theatres in the Chicago area, he was commissioned in other states.

The Auditorium Building (1889) cemented his place in the architecture fraternity. It was a mixed-used project comprising a theatre, hotel, and office buildings with a commercial seafront.

Fact 5: The 1871 Chicago Fire was a blessing for Sullivan.

The aftermath of the Great Chicago Fire Photo by Charles R –

As fact stated earlier, Sullivan was employed by architect Frank Furness but had to leave for lack of commissions. Consequently, Sullivan moved to Chicago for work.

 The 1871 Great Chicago Fire  tragedy sparked a construction boom. He then worked with William Jenney from whom he learnt a great deal about using steel for building.

Sullivan worked in several Chicago architectural firms as a draftsman. In 1879 he was hired by Dankmar Adler and he was made partner a year later.

Fact 6: Richard Nickel Preserved Loius Sullivan Buildings.

In the post-war urban renewal architectural era, Sullivan’s work fell out of favour. Many buildings were brought down raising concern amongst enthusiasts, the most vocal being Richard Nickel.

Protests and sit-ins were organized to save what they considered architectural significant buildings.

In cases where the demolition went through, they sneaked into the site to collect decorative elements.

Sadly,  Nickel was crushed to death in a Condemned building designed by Sullivan as he was searching for collectables.

Nickel’s collection and research were compiled and published s a book on Louis Sullivan.

Fact 7: Louis Sullivan Awarded Architects Highest Honour.

Photo by Paul Burley –

Sullivan made an immense contribution to the profession of architecture. Moreso, he was a brilliant designer who worked on iconic buildings during his time.

His work employed the use of steel effectively to create tall stable structures.

Sullivan was a mentor to many notable architects. He gave most of his life to architecture.

Sullivan was awarded the American Institute of Architects (AIA)  Gold Medal posthumously. Louis Sullivan was the second architect to get the award.

Fact 8: Louis Sullivan Died Broke.

Photo by Paul Burley –

In the later years, major works for Sullivan dried up, he worked on small commissions that were not bringing in enough income.

As a result, his friends’ opted to share their office space with him. Furthermore, his income was dwindling for lack of commissions.

He became a recluse and immersed himself in writing.

He wrote an autobiography and a book on architectural ornamentation.  Mr Sullivan received his published works but sadly passed on a week later.

Fact 9: Sullivan Fired His Right-Hand Man Frank Wright.

Frank Wright was an architect of note from the Chicago Group of Architects.

Sullivan was Wrights’s mentor and they shared a teacher-disciple relationship.

Their relationship soured in 1893 after Sullivan discovered that Wright was working on a project without informing him.

Sullivan’s demeanour was making the firm lose clients, perhaps that is why Wright decided to moonlight.

Fact 10: Louis Sullivan was a Master of Ornamental Architecture.

building designed by Sullivan in 1899 photo by Ken Lund

Ornamental architecture refers to the addition of elements to the structural form of the building for decoration.

Its purpose is to embellish the interior and exterior of buildings.  Construction designers use metal and terracotta to achieve ornamentation.

Louis Sullivan believed ornamentation was a powerful tool for transforming even the blandest buildings into works of art.

He introduced America’s building to nature mimicking motifs on facades and ironwork. Ancient Roman columns and portals inspired him.

Sullivan enabled humans to touch the sky through his tall buildings. He dared to change the field of architecture and received massive recognition for it. His motto; form follows function has guided modern buildings design in the USA.

He was a central figure in architecture both in America and the world at large.

He was a brilliant and revolutionary architect who had a supersonic rise to fame and a tragic decline.