The Fuller Building in New York, which is extremely triangular, is one of the most well-known flatiron buildings.
From left to right, are other examples of flatiron architecture in Strasburg and Wisconsin and a building designed by Dorsky Hodgson Parrish Yue Architects.
Triangle Market in Madison, Wisc., is housed in a flatiron.
The household flatiron inspired aptly named architecture.
"To the point" has a double meaning when it comes to architectural designs that resemble household appliances.
Flatiron buildings are so named because they mirror the shape of an ironing board or clothes iron. They are shaped in response to the triangular building lots on which they are constructed.
They're not necessarily constructed of iron, but can utilize wood, masonry, steel and glass.
The most famous and recognizable flatiron building is located in New York City at the intersection of Broadway and Fifth Avenue. Constructed in 1902, the Fuller Building, later named the Flatiron Building, is considered one of the first skyscrapers of modern times. Standing 285 feet tall, its steel frame with Beaux-Arts style limestone and terra cotta façade is one of the most beloved icons in the New York City landscape of signature structures.
Its "point" is less then seven feet wide, but contains offices that demand the highest rents due to their unique shape and commanding views of Broadway.
While the original Flatiron Building can be seen in the opening credits of "Late Show With David Letterman," memorable scenes in "Spider-Man" movies and gracing the walls of Subway sandwich shops, there are many less auspicious examples of flatiron buildings found in small towns and cities throughout the United States, Europe and Asia.
Whenever streets intersect one another at angles other than 90 degrees, there is an opportunity for a flatiron building. The sharper the angle, the more pronounced the point.
In the past, diagonal railroad cuts through traditional downtown street grids also provided great opportunities for flatiron structures including residences, retail and warehouses. Cities that abound in flatiron examples include Washington, D.C., Boston and Paris.
The buildings also are found in virtually every architectural style, most notably Greek Revival, Renaissance, Federal, Queen Anne, Tutor Revival, Romanesque and International.
Beyond architecture, there are the Flatiron rock formations in Boulder, Colo., revered for their triangular profiles; Flat Iron, Ind., a small midwestern community with a population of two; and, finally, the famous Flat Iron steak found in upscale restaurants. No matter the definition or application, there's always a point!
This column is contributed by Gregory J. Scott, a local architect with 35 years of national experience in innovation and design.