Measuring 163 metres, Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning was the first skyscraper built for educational purposes. Architect Charles Klauder created a neo-Gothic masterpiece that crowned the era of historical inspiration in US architecture. The Cathedral of Learning houses one of the most magnificent interiors of the 20th century and as many as 31 rooms displaying the art and achievements of various nations. Of course, there is also a Polish room designed by one of the most outstanding architects of the previous century, Adolf Szyszko-Bohusz.
The Cathedral for pennies
Born in Philadelphia, Charles Klauder learned his craft alongside the outstanding architects of the Gilded Age (late 19th century). For this reason, his designs were based on historical inspirations that dominated the local architecture for many years. His bosses, and later business partners, combined neo-Gothic with neo-Renaissance, etc. Over time, Klauder became a master of neo-Gothic, although his portfolio also included several projects in other popular styles.
In the 1920s, the then chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh presented the university authorities with the idea of building a Science Cathedral, which would immediately become a symbol of the city’s educational power. Of course, the investment would primarily have a practical dimension, as the university needed new scientific and research space. Fundraising began quickly, with even children donating their pennies. Naturally, Klauder, who was becoming the king of Neo-Gothic, was the obvious choice as the building’s architect.
The last masterpiece of Gothic architecture
The design work took two years, and construction of the huge edifice began in 1926. Even then, neo-Gothic was an outdated style, and simpler forms and modern art deco had taken over the country. However, what other style could give the building the character of a real cathedral? That is why the Cathedral of Science became one of the last projects of this historicist style, and Klauder created his life’s work. You can read about another pinnacle of Neo-Gothic architecture HERE.
Although the style of the Cathedral of Science was considered outdated at the time, Klauder knew perfectly well how to create a modern, beautiful and, above all, efficient skyscraper. The architect was very familiar with the rich French flamboyant Gothic style, but he also understood modern construction principles. For this reason, the 163-metre-high cathedral is based on a steel skeleton and its structure is stepped. The steel structure was lined with limestone from nearby Indiana, and the Gothic ornaments were mass-produced. It is worth noting that the modern breaks are a practical requirement of Art Deco, which facilitates spatial planning and gives the building a crystalline shape.
The decorations are an outstanding display of late French Gothic architecture. On the façade, you can find everything from pinnacles and fish bladders to tracery and ogee arches. Interestingly, the large soaring windows preserve the storey division of the building. Even the entrances have decorated portals and windows with mullions.
A medieval giant
The most spectacular room is the huge entrance hall, which transports visitors back to the end of the Middle Ages. The vaulted ceiling, over 16 metres high, consists of authentic Gothic arches that support their own weight without a steel framework. The spectacular starry vault covers an area of 2,000 square metres. Interestingly, the ceiling is lined with Gustavino tiles, which improve the acoustics of the interior. The same arrangement can be seen in the equally impressive Michigan Central Station in Detroit.
The building houses a theatre, a ballroom, auditoriums and various university departments, but the most interesting are the national halls. Although planning for the halls began in the 1920s, the Great Depression of 1929 delayed construction for several years. This was also the case with the Polish hall, which was not completed until 1940. The hall’s construction committee was formed in the 1930s, fundraising began in 1939, and the German attack on Poland almost thwarted the plans.
Although the independent Polish state ceased to exist, Polish emigrants continued to raise funds for the construction, and the University of Pittsburgh contributed the rest. The entire project was managed by Americans of Polish descent and Polish community organisations such as the Polish Falcons of America and the Polish Women’s League. Interestingly, the entire building was not completed until 1936.
A memento from the end of Poland
Adolf Szyszko-Bohusz, known for such icons as the former PKO building in Krakow, the Presidential Castle in Wisła and the Phoenix Building in Krakow, was responsible for the design of the hall. A genius of historicism and modernism, he worked for years as a conservator at Wawel, which is why the Polish Hall could be nothing other than a Jagiellonian fragment of the most important Polish castle.
A historic fragment of the Collegium Maius of the Jagiellonian University served as the cornerstone, and the hall is accessed through ornate oak doors made by a carpenter from Lviv. The times of Jagiellonian splendour are reflected in the rich decorations on the ceiling and the different types of wood. The table is made of walnut, and the piece of furniture itself refers to the dining table at Wawel. The wooden beams, on the other hand, were covered with egg tempera by Krakow artists.
Authentic Polish art can also be admired on the walls, which are decorated with floral festoons and a copy of Jan Matejko’s painting “Astronomer Copernicus, or Conversation with God”. Interestingly, the painting was painted by the architect’s sister, Anna Szyszko-Bohusz. The stained glass windows depicting the Polish eagle from different periods of the Republic of Poland are also interesting.
Under the window is a replica of an amazing treasure of 16th-century Poland. The Jagiellonian Globe was one of the first complex devices of its kind and, in addition, the oldest Polish globe to include North America. The entire Polish story in Pittsburgh is crowned by the original manuscript of the only opera written by Ignacy Jan Paderewski — “Manru”.
Interestingly, nationality halls are still being created today, and most of them can be seen in the photo gallery below. There are not enough pages to describe each of the halls, but those interested can read about the nationality halls in English HERE. In turn, a virtual tour of the magnificent interiors of the Cathedral of Learning can be taken in 3D HERE. It is worth taking a close look at the unique interior design of this unique building, which pompously ended the era of American Neo-Gothic architecture.
Source: Atlas Obscura
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