Help me find out the architect of a particular building, please.

Warning - this request is probably going to be a pain in the butt.

So, in about 1985 I watched an episode of Ripley’s Believe it or Not (I think - it might have been That’s Incredible).

There was a story about a building in Europe, built quite a long time ago - 1500s maybe?

The building had a large outcropping and originally the architect had it designed with a single support beam at the corner of the extension. This design was shot down by the city planning commission (or whatever it was called, back in the day) and they insisted that the architect add a number of additional support beams.

The architect did, but made all the extra beams about 1.5 inches too short - to this day you can climb a ladder and run your hand between the top of these extra support beams and the outcropping above proving the architect correct.

Can anyone help me remember who the architect was?

I’ve put this in GQ because there is a factual answer for it; however, if it needs to go elsewhere, please move away.

Thanks!

Doesn’t this describe what Frank Lloyd Wright did with Falling Water?
Not Europe, and much later than the 1500s, but possible confusion?

Interesting, but no, that’s not it.

The building in question is located in a city block and is possibly a municipal building of some type.

It’s entirely possible that Frank Lloyd Wright’s actions at Falling Water were inspired by some earlier Architect. I jumped in with that, because by sheer coincidence I had a long discussion with a friend about Falling Water just last night, and this very subject came up.
I will be interested in an answer too then.

Presumably Christopher Wren’s Windsor Guildhall.

But it could just be a myth - the columns may not be original and there may never have been any gaps.

Yep, that’s it. I believe the columns were NOT original - he was forced to add them after the fact. And I do know there were gaps at one point because the TV presenter passed her hand clear through one of them.

However, if they were placed there for the stated reason, or just for extra storage, I have no idea.