History and architecture
Founded in 1893 by American architects who had studied at the prestigious Parisian Ecole des Beaux-Arts, the Society of Beaux-Arts Architects had a profound impact on architectural practice in this country by its dedication to fostering the principles established by the Ecole. The Beaux-Arts Institute of Design, chartered in 1916 to accommodate the expanding educational programs of the Society, served as the national headquarters for architectural instruction based on the curriculum of the Ecole and influenced several generations of American architects.
By 1927, a new building was required to meet the growing needs of the Institute, and the Board of Trustees sponsored a design competition in keeping with the tradition of the Ecole. The winning design by Frederic C. Hirons of the firm of Dennison & Hirons features a striking composition employing Beaux-Arts principles of symmetry, solidity and monumentality, while displaying a modernized classicism that reflects contemporary currents in Art Deco design.
Among the building's outstanding features are its bold block lettering, "Beaux-Arts Institute of Design," surmounting the first story, and exceptional polychrome terra-cotta spandrel plaques, designed by the noted architectural sculptor and model-maker, Rene Chambel lan, in collaboration with the architects, and executed by the Atlantic Terra Cotta Company, one of the largest and most important American manufacturers of architectural terra cotta at the time.
Depicting the Parthenon, St. Peter's Church, and the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, these plaques symbolize the classical heritage and tradition perpetuated by the Institute.
Sources and further reading
This history comes from the Landmarks app’s historical catalog. Names and building uses may reflect the period described.