This reading serves as an in-depth look into the meanings behind many of modern architecture’s cornerstone features. Peter Jones explores how the timing in the popularity of modern architecture coincides with the rapid industrialization of a capitalist society and sees the stray away from more classical forms of architecture as a clever way to lure people into a false sense of progress. He believes that the true motive of these changes is to perform better surveillance of the general populace. Modern architecture prides itself on the use of glass as almost a status symbol, with glass being a heavily sought after material to include in this style. Jones writes how it is advertised as a way to see the world around them but also doubles as a way to make the surrounding world have an easier time looking in. He also writes of how glass is a cheat with there being no true form, so it almost betrays what architects are supposed to design. It eliminates the need for architects to consider every form and wall to support the overall structure and instead makes that a later problem with columns and glass being the main parts, so form is eliminated, and a deeper consideration of architecture is ignored along with it.
The Knight Library perfectly supports Jones claims of a lost art when creating modern architecture. When walking through campus the new modern buildings blend together because they all look similar and are made of glass and metal with them seemingly being just square masses. As people move across campus, they eventually are greeted by the Knight Library standing tall and strong. It stands a beacon of the more classic architecture that defined the campus for so many years. This iconic look remains unchanged for over a hundred years and looks across the main quad across campus which eventually leads to Lillis which is the beacon of modern architecture so these two stand in direct opposition of each other. The Knight Library has some windows, but they are higher and set back so not everyone can look in and if they want to pursue knowledge then they have to make the effort to get within the walls. The brick exterior also gives the appearance of strength behind the walls. The building does not rely on glass to define its exterior and instead uses it as intended by capturing some natural light while not exposing the interior to everything beyond it.