Penobscot Building vs 1001 Woodward

Comparing the Penobscot Building and the 1001 Woodward is particularly interesting because they share the same skyline in Detroit, MI, and were both designed by Smith, Hinchman & Grylls. However, they were completed more than 37 years apart.

This offers a unique perspective on how the architect's style and the city's architecture evolved over time.

The Penobscot Building is clearly the larger tower of the two, both in terms of height and number of floors. It rises to 564ft (172m) with 45 floors above ground, while the 1001 Woodward reaches 338ft (103m) with 23 floors above ground.

Of course, each project may have faced different briefs or regulatory constraints, which we don't really know about and could also explain the outcome.

The Penobscot Building was designed in the Art Deco style, while the 1001 Woodward reflects the principles of International Style.

At the time of their completion, both styles were well established. This makes the comparison especially interesting, because both buildings represent a dominant aesthetic at a particular point in time.

Built 37 years apart (1928 vs 1965), these two buildings are a perfect example of how different architectural styles have shaped the architectural landscape of our cities over time.

Both the Penobscot Building and the 1001 Woodward were designed to serve as commercial towers, and that has remained their main use since their completion, serving similar roles in the urban fabric.

Both towers share the same structural solution, a Frame system.

A frame structure uses a grid of columns and beams to carry the building's loads. This frees the walls from structural duties, allowing for flexible floor plans and larger windows.

However, when it comes to the facade, both buildings use different approaches. The Penobscot Building uses a Masonry facade, while the 1001 Woodward uses a Window Wall facade.

A Masonry facade like the one seen in the Penobscot Building features a heavy masonry skin that gives it a more clasical look, while a window-wall facade like the one seen in the 1001 Woodward uses panels fitted between floor slabs, leaving slab edges visible.