Vault

The vault is similar to the enframed window wall but massiveness and enclosure are emphasized over enframing open spaces.  The vault seems to have no historical lineage, rather it is an abstract idea of an enormous opening in a solid wall.  At the turn of the 29th century  banks and large department stores used this style.  The large windows in the vault allow lots of light into interior, provide display space for merchandise, and decorate the exterior of the building.  In buildings from the 1940s improvements in ventilation and the introduction of air conditioning reduced the need for windows in upper stories and and the style lost its functional value and appeal.

Most Vault structures have these features: 2-3 stories massiveness and enclosure are emphasized over enframing open spaces. characterized by an enormous opening in a solid wall. large windows particularly in the upper stories.

Type	1850	1860	1870	1880	1890	1900	1910	1920	1930	1940	1950	Feature
Vault												department stores, banks

Created by Jaime Blechschmidt 9 June 1997