Places

The Muirson Building

William Binder’s design of the original 1914 Muirson Building utilized the most current trends in industrial design and maximized the use of natural light. Skylights in a saw-tooth roof and industrial sash windows flooded the building with light both from above and from the side. As the company grew in the 1920’s and 1930’s, major additions were made to the building in a similar style and may have been designed by Binder himself.

Unfortunately, Binder’s modern design was not terribly functional and additions to the building did not improve the workspace.  The saw-tooth roof allowed for wonderful natural light but also let in water.  Later construction copied the original roof even in its faults. Plumbing and electrical wiring were added and changed over the years, creating what Ralph Rambo called “a metallic maze beyond human comprehension.”  Entrances, exits and hallways came and went with the additions, creating a labyrinth in which visitors became hopelessly lost. Ralph Rambo also colorfully recounted the serious plumbing mishaps that plagued the building, including the toilet that flushed hot water.

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