HSTARC 2: ARCHITECTS PART 2: LE CORBUSIER AND LUDWIG MIES VAN DER ROHE

LE CORBUSIER

Le Corbusier is one of the pioneers of Modern Architecture. As I’ve mentioned in my past blog entry, he introduced five points of architecture:  Raising the building on pilotis which made the building seem to float above the ground,  The ‘Free Plan’ in which spaced were arranged as to how each are used without the need for walls, The ‘Free Façade’ in which the function of each room/space dictated the structure’s façade which states that form follows function,  having a roof garden to compensate for the green area consumed by the building and replacing it on the roof, and lastly the use of strip windows to allow natural light to enter the structure. All of these five points can be seen in Villa Savoye. Le Corbusier also had a ‘Modular’ system wherein he used the golden ratio for the scale of architectural proportion just like Vitrivius and Leonardo da Vinci. 

LUDWIG MIES VAN DER ROHE

               

                Ludwig Mies van der Rohe is also one of the pioneers of Modern Architecture along with Le Corbusier. His architectural approach is simplicity and honesty. I admire his passion for architecture that he delved into the past and studied every aspect of architecture to create his own unique style. He desired to express the modern age through his architecture. It was him who coined the phrases ‘Less is more’ and ‘God is in the details’. He believed that the details played a major role in designing structures. My favorite work of Mies is the Farnsworth house. I love how transparent it is that interaction between people and nature is very much encouraged.

HSTARC 2: ARCHITECTS PART 1: SULLIVAN AND WRIGHT

 LOUIS SULLIVAN

                           Louis Sullivan is known as the ‘Father of Skyscrapers”. It was him who coined the phrase ‘Form Follows Function’ which is the design concept of most architects today. Sullivan incorporated classical and modern design styles in his structures. He used art nouveau inspired ornamentations, classical columns and sometimes even his own designed columns, and a massive semi circular arch which when mixed together became his signature style.

                     'He and Dankman Adler divided the building into four zones. The basement was the mechanical and utility area. Since this level was below ground, it did not show on the face of the building. The next zone was the ground-floor zone which was the public areas for street-facing shops, public entrances and lobbies. The third zone was the office floors with identical office cells clustered around the central elevator shafts. The final zone was the terminating zone, consisting of elevator equipment, utilities and a few offices.'

FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT

  

                Frank Lloyd Wright isn’t new to me. Books of his works are everywhere and I myself have 3 different ones. He is known to be very concerned in organic architecture that he paid much attention to the smallest details even in the interiors of the house. He is one of the first architects who created their own furniture that would match their structure’s design. The Kauffman residence or most commonly known as the Fallingwater is his most familiar work me. He incorporated Japanese design principles in the treatment of space to this house. He was able to create harmony between man and nature. I like how this house was situated on top of a waterfall, allowing the sounds of nature that enriches the experience inside it. Although he is considered as ‘The greatest architect of all time’, I don’t really admire him. His ideas weren’t really true to his own, stealing his mentor, Sullivan’s. 

HSTARC 2: On American Architecture

American Architecture is subdivided into different kinds. During the Pre-Colonial stage, there’s Inca Architecture and Mayan Architecture. The colonial stage on the other hand is comprised of many different styles but i will be discussing only a few. 

INCA ARCHITECTURE:

            People during this time just like the prehistoric era, made use of finely made stones for their structures. One famous creation during this period is the Machu Picchu in Peru also known as the ‘Lost City of the Incas’. The Incas were masters of the Ashlar technique which allowed them to create finely cut stones that fit perfectly for construction-too perfect not even a blade of glass fits between them. How they were able to build this city with structures each uniquely designed to sustain their daily activities.

MACHU PICCHU

MAYA ARCHITECTURE:

            The style of the Mayas was deeply influenced by Egyptian Architecture. They made use of platforms just like the Egyptians and even had their own style of a pyramid. Majority of their structures were for religious purposes. Ornamentations were also present in their structures.

NEW ENGLAND COLONIAL (1600’s – 1740)

The characteristics of structures during this period are: triangular roof, little ornamentations, and the frequent use of wood. Houses during this time were symmetrical with only a few windows, a simple looking house with a chimney.

COLONIAL CAPE COD (1600’S-1950’S)

            Colonial Cape Cods were mostly constructed out of wood. Just like New England colonial houses, they were made to look simple and symmetrical. Cod’s were made to blend into the landscapes so most were painted with natural colors and had very few ornamentations. These homes were built to withstand stormy weather.

SPANISH COLONIAL (1600’S-1900’S)

            People once again made use of bricks as a building material to create simple looking homes. Arched openings and columns were once again seen on their structures.

GERMAN COLONIAL (1600’S-1800’S)

            German Colonial houses looked like New England and Cape Cod homes. All of which had simple aesthetics.

DUTCH COLONIAL (1625-1800’S)

            Dutch Colonial homes were constructed with bricks. It had Dutch style doors and gambrel roofs, and two chimneys on opposite sides of the house. 

HSTARC2 BLOGS

Romanesque

Gothic

Renaissance

Baroque/Rococco

American Architecture

Growth of European States

Industrial Revolution

Arts & Crafts

Art Nouveau

Beaux Arts + Neo Gothic

Art Deco

Bauhaus

International Architecture

THE ARCHITECTS: Louis Sullivan|Frank Lloyd Wright|Le Corbusier|Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

TOTALLY FORGOT TO BLOG AFTER RENAISSANCE ARCHITECTURE :| :( :((

HSTARC 2: On The International Style

Towards the end of 1920s, architects became more adventurous and developed a new style in designing structures. This had a great influence in the coming styles as it evolved and moved from one country to another. As it spread across the globe, the architectural style of countries became international reaching the peak of Modern Architecture. This was introduced by  Philip Johnson together with writer Henry Hitchcock organized an international exhibit of modern architecture which displayed works of Le Corbusier, Walter Gropius and Mies van der Rohe. All of the works exhibited same characteristics, minimal use of ornamentation, cubism in form and was true to its materials.

Mies van der Rohe's Farnsworth House

The international style rejected ornamentations favoring minimalism. It is characterized by the use of concrete, steel and glass. The spaces inside buildings had thin walls and were defined by partition walls with the use of screens and windows. Since the Bauhaus already introduced high quality designs that were mass produced, they were able to reproduce materials they needed like doors and windows. They stepped away from the traditional style in building with their new techniques. I like how the structures produced by this international style exemplified elegance and beauty through simplicity.

There are 5 points in this new architectural style what was introduced by le Corbusier:

-      -Raising the building on pilotis which made the building seem to float above the ground.

-      -The Free Plan in which spaced were arranged as to how each are used without the need for walls.

-     - The Free Façade in which the function of each room/space dictated the structure’s façade.– FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION

-      -The Roof Garden

-      -Use of strip windows to allow natural light to enter the structure

*All of these key points are seen in Le Corbusier’s Villa Savoye (see picture below)

     

HSTARC2 : On Beaux Arts and

BEAUX ARTSSSS

Beaux Arts is a neo classical style that originated from a school of fine arts in Paris in the early 19^th century. École des Beaux-Arts had two main influential aspects. One, it taught students how to treat the different spaces in a structure according to hierarchy and importance. How these spaces interact was very important. There should be a correct flow of movement within. Secondly, The beaux arts style was implemented which was heavily influenced by Classical and Neoclassical architecture. Once again, structures were symmetrical, dramatic feel was brought by the widespread use of statuary and had classical doors details and decorations. Classical columns and capitals were seen in structures again. This resulted to structures that demonstrate grandeur.

This style continued to spread across Europe but was often altered by designers who ignored the fundamental proper use of spaces. Soon enough it reached the United States. This style had a big impact on American architecture. American cities such as New York encompass what beaux arts style is all about.

War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco

NEO GOTHIC

             Neo-Gothic is simply the revival of gothic architecture. This revival Architects started creating tall structures that had flying buttresses, tracery windows, pointed windows once again. Although it was a bit altered all the characteristics of the then gothic architecture is very evident in the structures. Neo-Gothic style was widespread across the United States and England. 

Cathedral Of Learning in Pittsburgh by Charles Klauder

Interior

HSTARC2 : On Bauhaus

             Bauhaus is a school of design founded in Germany that has been very influential to arts and architecture. After the Arts and Crafts movement, artists and designers were encouraged to create their crafts may it be furniture to buildings with great consideration for the construction method and the analysis of form+function.

‘The Bauhaus believes the machine to be our modern medium of design and seeks to come to terms with it.’

-Walter Gropius

              Walter Gropius is the founder of Bauhaus and was considered to be a Master of Modern Architecture. He is one of the pioneers in the mixing of industrialization and craftsmanship. He became the director of the Bauhaus from 1919-1928 and during his teaching career, he taught his students more about different crafts and design alongside concepts on form and color. He wanted them to not only create functional designs but also infuse good aesthetics into it.

              The Bauhaus was revolutionary. It has influenced modern architecture trends in all parts of the world. It brought art and architecture to work together in forming exceptional designs. It taught the world that in order for a design to be successful, it must consider the function as much as the aesthetics.