Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 10, 1998)
IN APPRECIATION OF... ARCHITECTURE Story by Sarah Baker Photos by Chris Bendet It takes more than just eyes to appreciate Lincoln’s architecture. Although the city doesn’t have the Sears Tower or the Empire State Building, it does have much to offer architecturally. Throughout downtown, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus and the surrounding neighborhoods are selected buildings designed by world famous architects, includirfg Ian Pey, Philip Johnson and possibly even Frank Lloyd Wright. These edifices loom over Lincoln, their rich history going unknown to both students and residents of the city alike. The State Capitol is the most obvious exam ple of great architecture in the city, but it’s defi nitely not the only one. Frederick J. Luebke, UNL professor emeri tus of history and editor of “Harmony of the Arts: The Nebraska State Capitol,” said Lincoln has many representative pieces of architecture. “For a city of its size, Lincoln has a rather rich architectural history,” he said. “One of the best examples, which happens to be on the cam pus, is the Sheldon. That museum is an absolutely brilliant piece of work.” Ed Zimmer, historic preservation planner for the Lincoln Planning Department, agreed that Lincoln has a rich architectural back ground. “The Capitol is a particular wonder,” he said. “It hits so many notes just right.” But in order to appreciate any of the exam ples of great work in Lincoln, both knowledge and interest are required. “Like anything else, I think appreciation depends on knowledge,” Luebke said. “If you have any interest you need to develop that inter est. If a person has no knowledge or interest, they won’t be an interesting person.” Zimmer also stressed knowledge as an important facet of architecture. “It’s kind of like bird watching,” Zimmer said. “Before you know what species a bird is, you don’t realize how many different kinds there are all around you. “But Lincoln’s not like Yellowstone, we don’t have birds. What we’ve got are buildings.” Zimmer said knowledge can only benefit when looking at architecture. “When you think about it, buildings are the art we live with,” he said. “Once you get that initial knowledge, it can only lead to a better, richer life. Enrichment is sometimes survival.” BUILDINGS Nebraska State Capitol The Capitol is located at 15th and J streets. Construction on the Capitol began in 1922 and was com pleted in 1932. Designed by Bertram Goodhue, the cur rent Capitol is the third one for Nebraska. The Capitol offers daily tours on the hour except at noon. Hours are Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call (402) 471-0448. Little Atwood House at 740 South 17th St. Built in 1894, the Little is suspected to have been built using a drawn by the late Frank Lloyd Wright. bed and breakfast, call (402) 438-4567. Kennard House Located at 16th and H streets, the Kennard House was built in 1869 and is the oldest house in Lincoln. In the 1 AAA _ . 1_ __^_J . • • 1 T. 1* 1 St. Paul Methodist Church, 12th and M streets PUBLICATIONS Architectural Digest An interior design and architecture magazine with international scope. Published monthly, the magazine has features on different types of buildings and design throughout the world. The magazine has a focus on reno vations of old buildings. AIArchitect AIArchitect is the official newspaper of the American Institute of Architects. Published monthly, it offers the latest architectural news. AIArchitect also has a Web site - at www.aiaonline.com Architecture Architecture magazine is a monthly publication. The magazine offers stories and photographs concerning dif ferent architectural issues and buildings. It also offers edi torials, information about architectural firms and exhibi tions opening around the United States. 1tiiV' uuuac wad icdtuicu iu ltd uiiginai xiaiiau ucdigii. xuuid aic available Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the house is open on week ends from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call (402) 471-4764. Saint Paul Methodist Church Built in 1900, the church is located at 12th and M streets. The west side is currently under construction and will include a new office and education suite with a gymnasium. There are also education classrooms and a parking garage. NBC Bank Building, 12th and 0 streets NBC Bank Building Located at 12th and O streets, the National Bank of Commerce Building was designed by world famous architect Ian Pey. The gm windows on the east side of the . aj building are shaped like the *|L1 state of Nebraska. The NBC Building lobby is open 24 ]|f hours a day. ‘ I| Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery Located on the UNL campus, the Sheldon was built in 1961 by world renowned architect Philip * ; Johnson. The Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery was j I dedicated May 16, 1963. f ; I For more information, call f H (402)472-2461. sircnueaurui ncLuru Architectural Record is a monthly publication that includes editori als, news and different studies of buildings around the world. They also have a section on the latest technology concerning architectural design. World Architecture World Architecture has features on buildings around the world. They have sections on business, reports on individual countries, a profile of an architect and a special report that focuses on one different subject monthly. Sheldon Memorial Art fiallery, 12tk and R streets
