If Jack were dreaming up his beanstalk today he would first have to survey the land, test the soil, do an environmental impact study, and arrange for financing. Then he would need an architect to design the beanstalk but only after finding out if the area is zoned for a beanstalk, how tall it can grow and will it cast a shadow on other smaller plants. Jack would have to hire an engineer to ensure that the beanstalk is sturdy and can withstand high winds, storms and other natural disasters. The next step would be to get a building permit and then hire the construction company to build the beanstalk to the architect's and engineer's specifications. Jack must determine in advance who will use his beanstalk and what he will charge for access. Only after all this and much more is done can Jack start to enjoy his beanstalk and realize his dreams!
Does this sound like a lot to do? Not if you are into building skyscrapers for commercial and industrial use; or hospitals for treating the sick; or churches, synagogues and mosques for religious services; or theaters, sports arenas, park facilities and restaurants for entertainment; or malls for shopping, or any other type of building you can think of. Whether they are urban, suburban or rural sites, constructing any kind of a building today requires a great deal of serious thought and meticulous planning.
Some structures can be years in the planning stages before the first shovel of dirt is turned and the foundation laid. Others remain a concept and never get built. Architects and developers, sometimes one and the same, are the catalysts for these ideas and structures. They have transformed our cities and suburban areas with high- and low-rise developments that cater to our work and play times. From a Sears Tower in Chicago soaring over one hundred stories into the air, to a multiplex of movie theaters on the highway out of a small town, to a Mall of America in Minneapolis containing every retail store imaginable, to the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles that has been over years in the making - commercial architects and developers have been filling out practical needs and pleasing our visual senses for more than a century.
Wherever you walk in your city or town, you will see buildings designed by architects and built by developers and construction companies. The style of their designs can range from the Renaissance to the ridiculous. They come in all shapes and sizes, colors and materials. They elicit extremes from high praise to raucous criticism. They do more than fill a space, they make an artistic statement. They are the creations of men and women whose profession ideally blends the best of art, science and commerce - the commercial architect. In this report you will explore the commercial and institutional structures that surround and impact our lives when we are away from home. Many of the examples of architectural trends and traditions come from Chicago, which boasts some of the finest architecture to be found anywhere in the country.