The Winning Design: Koechlin and Nouguier's Vision

Among the many proposals, one stood out for its elegant simplicity and structural ingenuity. The design came from the engineering firm of Gustave Eiffel, though the initial concept was the work of two of his employees: Maurice Koechlin and Émile Nouguier.

Koechlin, a Swiss engineer who had studied at the Polytechnic in Zurich, brought mathematical precision to the project. His calculations showed how a tower of latticed iron could withstand wind forces that would topple a solid structure. Nouguier, head of the structural department at Eiffel's firm, refined the practical aspects of construction.

Their first sketch, dated June 6, 1884, showed a simple pylon with four legs joined at the top—functional but austere. When they showed it to Eiffel, he initially showed little interest. It was only after architect Stephen Sauvestre added decorative arches, a glass pavilion at the first level, and other ornamental elements that Eiffel became enthusiastic about the project.

The design evolved through collaboration. Sauvestre's additions made the tower more palatable to aesthetic critics while maintaining its structural integrity. The team also incorporated practical elements: elevators (a relatively new technology), restaurants, and observation platforms that would make the tower a destination rather than merely a monument.