The family man | German-American Community | Career | City History | Cluss-Buildings | Cluss in the context of the city

Catholic University, drawing
Catholic University, drawing


Catholic University, drawing from the Washington Post (74)

620 Michigan Avenue, N.E.
Not realized

In 1887, Cluss and Schulze prepared plans for the new Catholic University of America, planned for northeast Washington. Though they won first place in the competition and the 500-Dollars-prize, the committee supervising the construction of the university awarded the work to Baltimore architect E. Francis Baldwin. Cluss denounced the deicision. "We understand that his plans are a slight modification of ours." He added, "being the nephew of a bishop might explain why he had received the order." Reflecting a wider controversy, The Washington Post printed both drawings in Sunday editions. In fact, the Cluss/Schulze dawing did not much resemble the one chosen. The bishops said that they preferred Baldwin for his designs and experience with similar settings at St. Mary's Seminary and John Hopkins University in Baltimore. A typical Cluss rundbogenstil plan, the Cluss and Schulze proposed building was dominated by a central pavilion with three towers. Its marble façade contained dramatic alternating bands of brick.

back

 

 

 

produced by STIMME.NET
Top of the page