projective ornament inside and out: documenting claude bragdon's chamber of commerce building design program

exterior and interior images of claude bragdon's distinctive ornament found throughout his chamber of commerce building (1916-17), located at st. paul street, rochester, ny.

the building was not only one of bragdon's last major commissions in rochester, but also led to a falling out with one of his most important clients, george eastman (founder of the eastman kodak company), who financed many of his projects, including the chamber of commerce. the conflict over the building's design created a rift that took years to rectify.

images courtesy of eric j. nordstrom and the bldg. 51 archive. all rights reserved. 2023.