The Empire State Building, an Art Deco masterpiece conceived by the architectural firm Shreve, Lamb, and Harmon, has, for nearly a century, represented the audacious and unrelenting spirit of New York. Erected during the Great Depression, this towering structure became a symbol of hope and resilience, showcasing humanity’s ability to create spectacular beauty amidst a period of immense hardship.

帝国大厦是施里夫、兰姆和哈蒙建筑事务所 (Shreve, Lamb, and Harmon) 设计的 Art Deco 杰作，近一个世纪以来，它一直代表着纽约人大胆创新、永不放弃的精神。这座矗立于大萧条时期的建筑，成为希望与韧性的象征，展现了人类在艰难困苦时期创造壮丽之美的能力。

The Empire State Building emerged from the creative collaboration of architects William F. Lamb, Richmond H. Shreve, and Arthur L. Harmon. Their vision for the structure was clear: a marvel of architectural engineering, blending aesthetics and function while establishing a new pinnacle for the New York skyline.

帝国大厦诞生于建筑师威廉·F·兰姆 (William F. Lamb)、里士满·H·施里夫 (Richmond H. Shreve) 和亚瑟·L·哈蒙 (Arthur L. Harmon) 的创意合作。他们对这座建筑的愿景清晰明确：成为建筑工程的奇迹，将美学与功能融为一体，为纽约天际线树立新的巅峰。

In an era of engineering breakthroughs and rapidly evolving building technology, the Empire State Building was destined to push the boundaries. Lamb, as the primary designer, drew inspiration from earlier skyscrapers like the Reynolds Building in Winston-Salem and the Carew Tower in Cincinnati. Yet, his design, a tapering tower surmounted by a mooring mast for airships, was unprecedented in its scale and ambition.

在工程技术不断突破、建筑技术飞速发展的时代，帝国大厦注定要突破极限。作为主要设计师，兰姆从早期的摩天大楼中汲取灵感，例如温斯顿塞勒姆的雷诺兹大厦和辛辛那提的卡鲁塔。然而，他的设计——一座顶部设有高耸天线的锥形塔楼——在规模和雄心上都是前所未有的。

The structural engineering challenges presented by such a monumental project were significant. Harmon, the primary consulting architect, was instrumental in overcoming these, helping to refine Lamb’s design into a buildable, efficient structure. The building utilized a steel frame construction method, allowing the skyscraper to be erected at an astonishing pace of four and a half stories per week.

如此宏大的项目面临着巨大的结构工程挑战。作为主要顾问建筑师的哈蒙在克服这些挑战的过程中发挥了重要作用，帮助兰姆的设计精炼成一个可建造、高效的结构。该建筑采用钢框架施工方法，使这座摩天大楼以惊人的速度每周建造四层半。

An innovative approach to the building’s core design meant that despite its soaring 1,454 feet (443.2 meters) height, the usable office space was maximized. This also allowed the structure to withstand the enormous wind forces at such heights. The stone facade, chosen not just for its aesthetic value but also for its durability, contributes to the timeless image of the Empire State Building we know today.

该建筑核心设计的创新方法意味着，尽管其高达1,454英尺（443.2米），但可用的办公空间却得到了最大化。这也使该结构能够承受如此高的高度带来的巨大风力。选用石材立面不仅是为了美观，也是为了耐用，这为我们今天所熟知的帝国大厦永恒的形象做出了贡献。

Developer: Empire State Inc., including John J. Raskob and Al Smith

Structural engineer: Homer Gage Balcom

Main contractors: Starrett Brothers and Eken

Photographer: Todd Quackenbush, Triston Dunn, Aleksandar Savic

来自（SEE MORE）   Shreve, Lamb and Harmon, ArchEyes