"Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building of The New York Public Library: The Whys and Hows of Neo Historic Architecture - New Time Periods in an Eternal Search of Their Expression.

New technological, economic and social conditions in history, as seen, for example, in architecture and applied arts, mostly started within existing formal styles, gradually searching for their own face and facades adequate for their new methods of construction, utilitarian functions, representative appearance and application of symbolic details. The whole 19^th century contributed to dynamic developments in every field, allowing a greater selection of building styles and fashions. New York before the First World War was a great melting pot of new people, activities, requirements, funding and opportunities. The Stephen A, Schwarzman Building of the New York Public Library is a beautiful example of the Beaux Arts architecture that applied neoclassical components.   

This illustrated presentation contemplates the logic, social and psychological requirements behind creating neo historic styles when new building opportunities turned to borrowing and re-creating older historic architectural elements.