Burnham & Root (architecture firm)

Burnham & Root was an influential architectural firm in the late 19th century, based in Chicago. Founded by architects Daniel Burnham and John Wellborn Root, the firm is best known for designing iconic skyscrapers and buildings that defined Chicago's skyline, such as the Monadnock Building and the Reliance Building. They emphasized innovative steel-frame construction and embraced the new technology of their time. Burnham, in particular, played a key role in urban planning, notably the 1909 Plan of Chicago, which aimed to improve the city’s layout and public spaces, influencing urban design across the United States.