What construction methodology is Louis Sullivan best known for advocating?

Louis Sullivan is best known for advocating steel-frame construction, which marked a significant evolution in architectural design during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This methodology utilized a framework of steel columns and beams, allowing for taller and more spacious buildings. Sullivan's work emphasized the aesthetic potential of steel structures, which could support larger windows and open floor plans without the constraints imposed by traditional load-bearing walls.

The embrace of steel-frame construction was revolutionary, providing architects with greater creative freedom and the ability to design iconic skyscrapers. Sullivan's design philosophy is often encapsulated in the phrase "form follows function," suggesting that the building's shape should be determined by its intended use, which was clearly illustrated in his designs that took full advantage of the capabilities of steel.

By focusing on steel-frame construction, Sullivan laid the groundwork for modern architecture and greatly influenced subsequent generations of architects, making this methodology a hallmark of his career and contributions to the field.