The Legislative Building – A Symbol of Winnipeg’s History and Grandeur

by | Oct 7, 2023 | Architecture

Choose a Winnipeg building from the list below. I
Winnipeg Buildings to choose from:
• University of Winnipeg, formerly Wesley College, 1896.
• Bank of Montreal, 335 Main Street, 1911-13.
• Legislative Building, 440 Broadway, 1913-1920.
• Canadian National Railway Station, 123 Main St., 1909.
• Paris Building, 259 Portage Avenue, 1915-1917 or Electric Railway Chambers, 213 Notre Dame Avenue.
• Thunderbird House, 715 Main Street, 2000.
• John A. Russell Building, University of Manitoba, 84 Curry Place, 1959.
• The Winnipeg Art Gallery, 300 Memorial Boulevard, 1971 OR Qaumajuq, 2021.
• University Centre (University of Manitoba Student Union Building), University of Manitoba, 65 Chancellor’s Circle,
1966-69.
• Migizii Agamik, University of Manitoba, 114 Sidney Smith St., 2008.
• A building of your own choice, but you must clear it with me first.
PART A: TOMBSTONE OF BUILDING (One page).
1. Provide tombstone information on the building (name, architect, address, date) at the top of the page. Include two
photographs of the building (1) full face of the facade (2) detail of material (taken by yourself if possible).
2. Under image 1, you will provide all the citation information on the building in caption format.
3. Between the images write the following: Materials: (brick, wood, concrete, stucco, terra cotta tile, etc.
4. Under image 2, identify yourself as the photographer, detail of building, date etc. in caption format.
Part B: (500 -750 words) RESEARCH ESSAY FORMAT – DOUBLE-SPACED; FONT 12 (DO NOT INCLUDE HEADINGS)
a) HISTORY: Identify and give a brief history of the architectural style, with examples of precedents. Include proper building
name, architect, location and date.
b) CHARACTERISTICS: Describe the architectural style’s characteristics and apply this to your building, providing detailed
examples. Provide some discussion on the architect and her/his work and give examples of other projects that they have
completed.
c) MATERIALS: Do further research on the façade/exterior of your building from a materials perspective. Your analysis should
include an identification and contextualization of the material.
Questions you might think about include: define the material; where was it made or quarried, what companies were involved; is there any
interesting history about the material?
I expect at least 5 academic sources from the library/reading list in your bibliography.

 

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.


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God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Sample Answer

Sample Answer

 

Tombstone of Building
Building: Legislative Building
Architect: Frank Worthington Simon and Henry Boddington III
Address: 440 Broadway, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Date: 1913-1920

Image 1: Legislative Building
Image 1: Full face of the facade of the Legislative Building

Image 2: Legislative Building
Image 2: Detail of the material on the Legislative Building

Materials: Tyndall stone, granite, marble, bronze

Image 2: Legislative Building
Image 2: Detail of the material on the Legislative Building (Photographer: Your Name, Date: YYYY-MM-DD)

Research Essay: The Legislative Building – A Symbol of Winnipeg’s History and Grandeur
The Legislative Building in Winnipeg, Manitoba, stands as a testament to the city’s rich history and architectural grandeur. Designed by architects Frank Worthington Simon and Henry Boddington III, the building was constructed between 1913 and 1920. It showcases the Beaux-Arts architectural style, a style that drew inspiration from classical architecture and flourished in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

History of Beaux-Arts Architecture
Beaux-Arts architecture originated in France and quickly spread to other parts of the world, including North America. It was characterized by its grandeur, symmetry, and use of classical elements such as columns, domes, and elaborate ornamentation. The style aimed to create harmonious and visually appealing buildings that reflected a sense of order and proportion.

The Legislative Building in Winnipeg embodies these characteristics of Beaux-Arts architecture. Its symmetrical design, grand entrance with columns and a dome, and intricate detailing all contribute to its imposing presence.

Characteristics of the Legislative Building
The Legislative Building is a prime example of Beaux-Arts architecture in Canada. Its symmetrical layout is evident in its facade, which features a central dome flanked by two wings. The exterior is adorned with decorative elements such as sculptures, reliefs, and friezes. These intricate details showcase the craftsmanship and attention to detail that went into the building’s construction.

The architects, Frank Worthington Simon and Henry Boddington III, were both prominent figures in Canadian architecture during the early 20th century. Simon was known for his work on various government buildings, while Boddington had a particular interest in classical architecture. The collaboration between these two architects resulted in the creation of the Legislative Building, which remains an iconic landmark in Winnipeg.

The architects’ attention to detail can be seen in their selection of materials for the building’s facade. The Legislative Building is primarily constructed using Tyndall stone, a locally quarried limestone known for its durability and distinctive cream color. The use of Tyndall stone gives the building a sense of permanence and elegance. Additionally, granite and marble are employed in various decorative elements throughout the facade, adding to its visual appeal.

Bronze is another material prominently featured in the Legislative Building. The doors and sculptures adorning the exterior are made of bronze, adding a touch of luxury and sophistication to the overall design.

Significance of Materials
The use of Tyndall stone in the Legislative Building holds historical and cultural significance for Winnipeg. Tyndall stone is unique to Manitoba and has become synonymous with the city’s architecture. Its use in prominent buildings like the Legislative Building showcases Winnipeg’s local resources and craftsmanship.

The Tyndall stone used in the Legislative Building was quarried from Garson, Manitoba. The quarry played a crucial role in supplying the stone needed for various construction projects in Winnipeg during that period. The use of locally sourced materials not only supported the local economy but also added a distinct regional identity to the building.

In terms of interesting history about the material, Tyndall stone gained popularity after the Great Fire of 1866 destroyed much of Winnipeg’s downtown. The fire prompted city officials to enact strict building codes that required fire-resistant materials like stone. Tyndall stone emerged as an ideal choice due to its durability and fire-resistant properties.

Conclusion
The Legislative Building stands as an architectural marvel in Winnipeg, showcasing the grandeur and elegance of Beaux-Arts architecture. Designed by Frank Worthington Simon and Henry Boddington III, it embodies the characteristics of this style through its symmetrical layout, intricate detailing, and use of materials such as Tyndall stone, granite, marble, and bronze. The building’s significance extends beyond its architectural beauty; it represents Winnipeg’s history, showcases local craftsmanship, and serves as a cultural landmark for the city.

 

 

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