Missouri Granite and Indiana LimstoneLandscapes are not synonymous with the natural environment, but are worlds of cultural product. Through their daily activities, beliefs and values, communities transform physical spaces into meaningful places. However, these places cannot simply be understood in their totality and are made up of many different components which in turn possess their own unique separate meanings and significances. An important component of any landscape is the materials that make up the various structures and buildings. The materials that comprise McMillan Hall are sourced from the surrounding area of St. Louis. This is due to the transportation limitations of the 1800s, which led to the usage of Missouri granite and Indiana limestone from Missouri Red Quarry in Ironton, MO. Although the usage of these materials were choices made for utilitarian purposes, these rocks might also symbolize the university’s connection to the surrounding area and community. The unique reddish glow creates and sustains a social identity for the entire university, giving the exterior aesthetic a symbolic, unifying quality. |
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