Access to abstract permanently restricted to Ball State community only / Where and why there? -- Demand for office space -- Architectural influences -- Building inventory / Access to thesis permanently restricted to Ball State community only / Department of Architecture

This paper will discuss the development and architecture of an Indianapolis northside residential neighborhood. While the area was settled in the mid twentieth century. Consequently, the neighborhood has a broad spectrum of architectural styles ranging from pioneer vernacular Greek Revival to Tudor Revival.In spite of the fact that the area was the leading suburb of Indianapolis in the early twentieth century, little research has been done on the history and historic architecture of Meridian-Kessler. Examples of significant structures and architectural types will be presented in the context of the area. Elements or factors which unify the neighborhood will be discussed.Finally, the issues of historic preservation in the Meridian-Kessler neighborhood will be examined. If the area is in fact historic, as the author believes then preservation measures are in order. The location and nature of the neighborhood pose a unique problem. Since the area is essentially a transitional urban/suburban district, methods of urban historic district preservation must be Modified for this special case. As historians and preservationists become reviewed. Historic increasingly aware of our early twentieth century heritage, a new terminology and approach must be acknowledged. This variation of a preservation or conservation district is termed by the author as "Suburban Preservation".Standard methods will be used to research and compose this thesis. For documentation of historic architecture, a series of Indianapolis Star articles titled "How Others Have Built" is an important source which must be a Thirty-eighth street Landmarks Foundation of Indiana is currently surveying the area; survey forms will provide much data on house types, styles and dates. Architectural archives, old records of firms active in the district and other published sources will provide further information. Planning data in the form of subarea plans andcooridor study have already been obtained for review. Plans for preservation districts in Indianapolis and other midwest cities will also be reviewed for possible application to Meridian-Kessler.Combined with field observations, the research should produce a document which places the Meridian-Kessler neighborhood in its proper historic context and aids in future planning for the area. / Department of Architecture

The architectural firm of Pierre and Wright was one of the most important partnerships in Indianapolis during the second quarter of the twentieth century and the firm left a lasting impact on Indianapolis's built environment and physical development. Edward Dienhart Pierre (May 22, 1890-March 27, 1971) and George Caleb Wright (April 25, 1889-February 27, 1973) merged their talents in August 1925. This partnership resulted in a series of substantial commissions which allowed Pierre and Wright to take leadership roles in the Indianapolis construction community. The design contributions of Pierre and Wright to Indiana, particularly to Indianapolis, are significant because of the wide variety of architectural styles in which they worked, the high quality of construction, and the number of structures which remain. The partnership ended in 1944 and both men continued their architectural careers in Indianapolis. Pierre and Wright worked throughout their lives to enhance their profession and their community. The most obvious evidence of their professional work is the many buildings they designed, but more important is the impact Pierre and Wright had on the design and construction professions in Indiana and the country. Examples of their influence include their work for standardized building codes, development of professional ethics and forums for professional networking, and advocacy of comprehensive urban or metropolitan planning. / Department of Architecture

The goals of this report were: 1) to present a comparison between historic and present day landscape plantings in the Ravine Garden of the Lilly Pavilion at the Indianapolis Museum of Art; and 2) to develop and establish a vegetation management study that would provide guidelines for the vegetation management of the Ravine Garden. The study and guidelines were developed in order to: a) remove inappropriate present day plantings; b) protect the historic landscape plantings; c) eventually replant the historic plants currently missing; and d) manage the vegetation of the Ravine Garden as in an important historic designed landscape. / Department of Landscape Architecture

The department store retailing concept grew out of the nineteenth century dry goods retail trade. Dry goods stores were usually housed in a group of nineteenth century commercial buildings. As the United States became more prosperous during the late nineteenth century, dry goods establishments outgrew their buildings and developed a new department store building type. The "second generation" store design was generally tripartite: large ground floor display windows, intermediate stories with regular banks of windows, and decorative upper one or two stories capped with an elaborate cornice. These flagship buildings were expanded and remodeled until the 1950s, when the focus of department store retailing shifted to the suburban branch stores. The branch stores anchored shopping centers in the 1950s and 1960s and enclosed shopping malls thereafter. / Department of Architecture

The Indiana State Library and Historical Building, constructed in 1934, is an outstanding example of stripped classicism and Art Deco. The ornament on both the exterior and interior of the limestone structure portray the regional story of the development of Indiana. The monumental building is the most well‐known work by Indianapolis architectural firm Pierre and Wright. Little has been written on the Indiana State Library and Historical Building and a comprehensive architectural history has never before been compiled on this remarkable building. The subject of research pertains to the original building only. Investigation examines the architectural competition for the design, the construction process, the numerous carvings, large stained glass windows, and four murals, and the symbolism in the ornament of the Indiana State Library and Historical Building. Through research at the Indiana State Library and the Indiana State Archives and using both primary and secondary resources, the motivation for much of the ornament was discovered. Additionally, long forgotten details and symbolism were recovered. This research provides insight into the narrative as told by the architecture and ornament of the building. It may assist in the research on the 1976 addition and the 2002 renovation that has yet to be completed. Furthermore, it will likely aid in future renovations and restorations of the building. / Introduction -- Methodology -- Literature review -- A brief history -- The competition -- The architects -- Construction -- Materials -- Architectural style -- Exterior sculpture -- Leon Hermant sculptures -- Interior material -- Interior features and symbols -- Stained glass windows -- Murals -- J. Scott Williams, artist -- Conclusion. / Department of Architecture