.jpg?la=en&h=320&w=720&hash=244C75B74F0F77521D56164450973BCD){kind=logo}
Can the world’s tallest skyscraper also be smart? Ernest Flagg said yes
In 1908, the Singer Building rose above New York as the world’s tallest skyscraper – and one of the smartest. With its 1,200 thermostats and 1,800 valves, the pioneering temperature system installed by Johnson Controls set a groundbreaking new standard for intelligent, responsive architecture.
The time – early 1900s. The place – New York City, a blank canvas for architectural ambition. The visionary – Ernest Flagg, a pioneer of vertical design and the man who reimagined the Manhattan skyline.
Flagg, known as the architect of the sky, was driven by a passion that architecture should serve both beauty and function. When Frederick Gilbert Bourne, president of the Singer Sewing Machine Company, approached him to design a new headquarters, Flagg saw more than a commission – he saw an opportunity to reshape the city.
Together, Flagg and Bourne created a landmark: the Singer Building, which soared 47 stories high and became the tallest skyscraper in the world at the time. But height wasn’t the only goal. Flagg’s vision extended beyond grandeur – he wanted a building that was intelligent, efficient and ahead of its time.
That’s where we came in. Johnson Controls installed the Johnson System of Automatic Temperature Regulation, a groundbreaking innovation for its era. With 1,200 room thermostats and 1,800 valves, the Singer Building became one of the first to offer precision climate control throughout its interior – an embodiment of smart design long before the term existed.
Flagg’s architectural philosophy – combining form, function and foresight – mirrored the Johnson Controls commitment to smarter, more sustainable buildings and ultimately cities. A commitment we sustain today. For 140 years, we’ve helped buildings evolve into responsive environments that optimize energy, enhance safety and create comfort for the people inside.
The legacy of the Singer Building? Monumental. A fitting HQ for one of the world’s first truly global brands. Though the building itself no longer stands, its influence endures. Flagg’s boldness inspired generations of architects to dream taller and smarter. Today’s skylines, filled with intelligent towers, are a tribute to that kind of thinking.
As we celebrate our 140th anniversary, we honor visionaries like Ernest Flagg who innovated both buildings and the future. Discover how Johnson Controls can help your building become smarter, more sustainable and ready for what’s coming.