The Relevance and Transcendence of Ornament: A New Public High School for the South Side of Chicago

A building without ornament is like heaven without the stars. - George Santayana Ornament, once an essential and communicative part of architecture, during the last century has experienced serious devolution. It is no longer considered an important and meaningful part of the way humans experience a building. The fringe arguments against ornament have been elevated to doctrine in many cases. The new century needs to reconnect with this language, which speaks to us of such concepts as function, space and symbolism, but also performs such work as direction, the designation of metaphysical transition and expression of movement, among other roles. Through the conferment of beauty, grace and honor, ornament enriches and enhances life while expounding the construction of delightful buildings that are fraught with meaning. Ornamented architecture will return enchantment and pleasure to the public realm while simultaneously educating and connecting humans with their past accomplishments and future endeavors. Through ornament, architecture will once again speak of relevance and transcendence.