Iron

Metal used for structural and decorative elements in historic architecture.

Overview

Iron, prominent in the 19th century, enabled cast iron structures and ornamental details in industrial-era buildings.

Core Characteristics

• Strong and moldable.
• Used in columns and facades.
• Prone to corrosion without treatment.

Notable Examples

• Crystal Palace (London, 1851, iron and glass).
• Eiffel Tower (Paris, 1889, iron lattice).

Architectural Connections

• Industrial: 19th-century innovation.
• Civic: Exhibition halls.
• Western European: Industrial prominence.

Influence and Legacy

Iron, used by Joseph Paxton, paved the way for structural expressionism.

Related Concepts & Architects

Gustave Eiffel (related architect), Structuralism (theory), Column (element), Futurism (movement)