Wright's Pyramids

At "Taliesin," his Wisconsin stronghold. Frank Lloyd Wright, the architect whose friends have incorporated his genius for safe-keeping (TIME, Oct. 7), announced last week a new and puzzling project. For Manhattan's Church of St. Mark's-in-the-Bouwerie he has designed four 18-story, glass-walled residential towers, intended to be the first demonstration of ideas which Architect Wright has mulled over for 30 years.

In his plans Architect Wright has "overturned the pyramids and lengthened their lines perpendicularly." Thus, at the top the towers are much larger than at the bottom. Each tower rests on a gigantic concrete pedestal; each is supported by a core of solid concrete through the centre. Architect Wright explained that his scheme was specially good for a crowded city because there space is more valuable the higher it is off the ground.

Laymen found the inverted pyramids difficult to visualize; architects thought they would be difficult to realize. The following obstacles were anticipated:

Manhattan has a zoning law which stipulates that the sides of skyscrapers be set back at intervals, thus tapering the building towards the top to allow maximum light and air to the streets.

A pyramid casts the minimum shadow for its cubic capacity. Conversely, an upside-down pyramid would cast the maximum, keeping the lower floors in shade at all times. At high noon the towers would be completely in their own shadows.