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By Brent Hoffmann, Class of 2005

In March 2019, Tom created and led a bus tour of Gothic revival architecture as seen in churches, academic and other buildings throughout Chicago.  In 2020, during a Zoom CAC Live tour of the Gothic revival style, he introduced The Castle of Otranto, a 1764 novel by Hugh Walpole, as the impetus behind Gothic revival.  Included was a pop quiz for viewers, including the question: “What modern work of fiction highlights Gothic architecture?”  Among the six book choices was Loving Frank (starring Frank Lloyd Wright).  The answer was Ken Follett’s Pillars of the Earth.

In May, Tom had to cancel – due to the pandemic — a bus tour called “Concrete Chicago” that would feature advances in concrete material development as well as Brutalist buildings in the city.  Gothic vs. Brutalism.  Contradictory styles, you’d think.  What gives?

“They’re not really contradictory,” insists Tom.  “For one thing, both Gothic and Brutalist styles are designed to look solid, to look impressive.  They also represent the culture of their time periods. The Middle Ages Gothic flourished beginning with Europe’s emergence from darker times with feudal wealth and strong religious influence. These structures were solid ‘skyscrapers of stone,’ that became more ornate as they developed into the 16^th century, and a source of pride in the local communities. The revival carried forth similar associations with stability and moral values.

Béton brut

“For example,” he continues, “Collegiate Gothic architecture used these associations to garner alumni financial support. Initially a dream by Swiss –born Charles-Edouard Jeanneret (aka Le Corbusier) for urban development, Brutalism arose during emergence from war’s devastation when metal was scarce and reliance on stone — in this case, concrete — was more plentiful. Brutalism reflects a French expression “béton brut,’ meaning ‘raw concrete.’  Combined with the need for open space to afford more efficient offices, Brutalism’s coupling with mid-century modern design made sense. Like the Middle Ages, it also occurred during an emergence. In this case from the devastation of two world wars into a period of financial revival, but insufficient to afford rebuilding of the great but costly Gothic structures.  It does offer a view of that period of western civilization with the reemergence of wealth and financial stability — as the structures suggest — but also practicality.”

Chicago has great examples of both. Says Tom, “Gothic revival encompasses multiple Gothic styles that are not just religious structures — but collegiate, institutional and even residential as well. Examples of 90 structures in the City are the Tribune Tower (French Gothic), Lake Shore Place at 680 N. Lake Shore Drive (English Gothic), Wrigley Clock Tower (Spanish Gothic), University of Chicago (Collegiate Gothic) — and the Chicago Athletic Association, which is now a hotel of the Venetian Gothic style.  There’s even a German/Castellated Gothic fire station.

“Brutalism doesn’t need to be a block of concrete with little aesthetic appeal,” he insists.  “Even 55 E. Wacker, the old Blue Cross bldg., has concrete formed vertical elements that allow the structure to appear stable but interesting. Although some architectural critics might suggest otherwise, simple squared massing isn’t all that Brutalism offers in Chicago.  You might be surprised that Marina City with its towers is an example of Brutalism.  One of the most intriguing structures is actually a hospital, St. Mary of Nazareth on the north side.  Even Studio Gang’s repertoire includes a Brutalist residential building: City Hyde Park on east 59^th Street.

Writes for The Bridge

“I’ve had a lifelong interest in architecture,” he says.  “As a native Chicagoan, and after retiring, the opportunity to become a docent gave me a great avenue to pursue this avocation.  Well before I retired and became a docent in 2017, I’d been giving tours to friends and family when they visited.”

Tom is certified for the tours Magnificent Architecture of the Magnificent Mile (tour director), Historic Skyscrapers, Must-See Chicago, A Walk Through Time, Fulton-Randolph Market: from Gritty to Gourmet, and for the River Cruise.  For the CAC Live series, Tom led a Zoom tour of the Gothic revival style.  He’s written articles for The Bridge, including reviews of the Julian Hotel, the new Apple store and Gothic Chicago.

He’s been a member of the docent tour committee since 2017.  At the recent, virtual Docent Appreciation Night, he was recognized for 200-plus hours of volunteer service in 2019.

“What’s my favorite tour?  I enjoy all of them,” Tom continues, “but the Magnificent Architecture tour in particular.  It has a great balance of exterior and interior architecture as well as features that are not typically seen but are present in plain sight – such as the relief sculptures on the south, west and north sides of the InterContinental Hotel, formerly the Medinah Athletic Club.  The reliefs respectfully depict the process of funding (Contribution presenting treasures), designing (Wisdom with a scale model of a building), and the opening (Consecration) of the club in 1929.  Also, the Gwen Lux Hotel’s sunken relief panels near the coffee shop by Nordstrom offer ‘hands-on’ exploration of the sculptor’s work.

“I enjoyed leading the Gothic Revival Architecture bus tour. And would like to do a second Gothic tour but showing different structures this time.  Also, I’m interested in the brickwork of buildings such as those in the Fulton Market District,” he says.  “So, I’m writing the Architecture of Brick for publication in The Bridge and, hopefully, for presentation as a CAC Live lecture.”

Visual Illusions

Tom is a retired Doctor of Optometry.  “Having a background in the visual sciences, I like to point out visual illusions such as the rippled, reflected images created by the windows on the Gateway Center IV seen on the river cruise.”  He relates a unique experience: “I was giving the Historic Skyscraper tour to a family that included two young children. And trying to keep their interest was a real challenge.  I looked for things I thought they could focus on and understand.  At the Fisher building, I pulled them aside and did something I used to do with my own kids.  I lowered myself to their eye level when I noticed that they were interested in the Fisher’s relief sculptures. One feature that piqued their interest was the relief ornamentation above the entrance, of the two children riding fish.  I spent a few minutes asking if they thought the fishes were ugly, and why the children might be riding them.  Their answers were ‘Oooh, yes, these are ugly fish. Why would anyone want to put them on a building?  But riding them looks like fun.’  Leave it to kids to be amusing and creative.”

 Chief of Optometry

For 40 years, Tom was chief of the optometry section under surgical service at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in Chicago.  He also held faculty appointments at the Illinois College of Optometry (associate professor) as well as at the University of Illinois College of Medicine (assistant professor in ophthalmology).  He earned his B.S. in biology at Loyola University, his O.D. at the Illinois College of Optometry, and served his residency at the Kansas City VA Medical Center affiliated with the Kansas University Medical School.

“I’m retired but I continue to lecture to the Center’s optometry residents once per year on immunology of the eye. The lecture series takes about nine hours spread over three days.  Plus, I have a website on the same topic.”

Catalan Modernism

Tom and his wife Joan, also a Doctor of Optometry, live in Kinzie Park, across the river from the East Bank Club.  When not homebound, they travel, frequently.  “We’ve been to Europe a few times during the past three years, and we take tours during our trips,” he says.  “In April of 2018 we did a transatlantic crossing.  On the back end of the trip, we visited Valencia and Seville.  During a prior trip to Spain, we spent time in Madrid and really enjoyed Barcelona where we took in the Sagrada Familia and other works of Catalan modernism by Anton Gaudi.

“In November 2017 we traveled to the Haag in the Netherlands, where Joan was presenting some of her research.  I was familiar with the research, so I ducked out of the meeting for a three-day, self-guided tour of 72 architectural structures throughout the city.  During that trip, we also visited Amsterdam and Brussels.  That same year, we spent time with a friend in Stepps, a suburb of Glasgow, Scotland.  We did tours of Stirling Castle on the River Forth, north of Glasgow.  We were also impressed by Hill House in Helensburgh.  It was designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, whose style seems close to that of Frank Lloyd Wright.

“During Februarys we usually stay in Mexico,” he concludes. “We do tours of Mayan ruins and tequila distilleries.”

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CAPTIONS:

 

1. Tom leads a Must See Chicago tour.

Photo/Jack Vickery

 

2. “St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital, near Wicker Park, demonstrates a lasting, stable structure for a hospital using an eloquent Brutalist design,” says Tom.  It was designed by E. Todd Wheeler, the former state architect of Illinois.