William Borden Residence, Chicago, Illinois, Construction Details

This drawing, made by Richard Morris Hunt, details the construction of the William Borden Residence in Chicago. Hunt used ink and watercolor to render this elevation view with remarkable clarity. The drawing shows the layout of stone masonry, and by extension, the skilled labor required to erect such a grand home. Hunt, an advocate for architectural education, clearly understood the deep connection between design and making. The drawing functions as an instruction manual and a record of design intent. The hand-drawn lines emphasize the individual craftsmanship necessary for the building's realization. Consider the social context, too. The Borden residence speaks volumes about wealth and aspiration in the late 19th century. Structures like this were not simply buildings, but statements of social class and power made possible by industry, labor, and the raw materials transformed by human hands. This drawing encapsulates that entire world of making. It reminds us that architecture, like all art, is fundamentally rooted in process.