24 Oct a detailed look at cast aluminum machine age “transmission of sound” building facade panels

two single-sided cast aluminum art deco style bas-relief panels (fabricator unknown) with highly abstract designs depicting the “transmission of sound,” make an otherwise utilitarian industrial “switching office” building (completed in 1932, holabird & root, architects) a worthwhile destination for architectural and/or art deco enthusiasts to admire and document.

the set of remarkably intact flush mount rectangular-shaped plaques, positioned high above the two towering black granite entrances, are exceptionally sleek, minimalistic, and futuristic with design elements deeply resonating with the “machine age” movement, sparked by the second industrial revolution. further research is needed to identify who designed and/or fabricated the nicely weathered bas-relief panels adorning the 1932 at & t “switching office” building. no signatures or markings of any kind were found on the panels when documenting them.