I don't know how architects learn to be architects or if it just comes naturally, but a tour of St. Paul's City Hall/Ramsey County Court House building is a real contrast to the State Capitol building I toured last. Both buildings are opulent with precious stone, wood, and metal used profusely throughout. The State Capitol's neoclassical Beaux Arts style feels warm and inviting yet elegant to me. St. Paul's City Hall, on the other hand, is built in the American Perpendicular and Ziazag Moderne Art Deco style which is my favorite in lighting, but feels less welcoming in a building with its crisp linear lines, dark and light contrasts, heavy use of brass, and indirect lighting.
Regardless of my preference in architectural style, City Hall is fantastic. Every detail in historic buildings has meaning and purpose and St. Paul City Hall is no exception. Bas reliefs are cut into the Indiana limestone exterior, each with meaning. The brass elevator doors on the main floor are sculpted with Ramsey county and Minnesota history. The Memorial Hall is impressive in its symbolism with the 60 ton statue Vision of Peace guarding the memories of those fallen in war from Ramsey County.
Every little item fits with the building style right down to the heat grates, the mail boxes, and the drinking fountains. Groups of three are found everywhere which is a hallmark of the art deco style. The exterior of the building has a three story graduated bases on each side of the center tower. The tower itself is also built in three levels. Everywhere within one finds groups of three, in railings, in lights, in decorative brass strips, in door knobs, etc.
Again, pictures fall short of the real thing, but a small sense of the building can be found in this photo tour.
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