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.

HSTARC2 : On the Arts & Crafts movement.

The inventiveness of the Victorians led to the boom of the construction industry. They were great at making the most out of technology to create new things that could benefit the people and successfully created various machines that helped in hastening the construction process. Over time, they developed their craft skills and were able to master the usage of different tools and materials which demonstrated great craftsmanship. With the use of local materials and pure artistry, the Arts and Crafts architecture was born.

At that time, William Morris was a famous designer known for his exceptional craftsmanship helped spread this new art movement. He was able to create beautifully ornamented household furnitures some of which still made up to this day. The chair in the picture below shows how honest it is letting its materials speak for themselves.

Rossetti Chair by William Morris

The artists of this period had great respect for materials may it be stone, wood, metal or brick. They carefully chose which material to use for different subjects and made sure they go along perfectly. They paid much importance to keeping their works clean, exposing it and leaving it honest – true to its design and materials. Wood was widely used for their floors and walls. I love the fact that not only did they have respect for the design outcome but also for the materials they used in the process. Basically, this period exemplified a craft-based architecture wherein they put much attention to details to create an authentic sophisticated overall design. 

HSTARC 2: Art Nouveau

When people started to go against the formality and revivalism of the Victorian period, was the birth of the style called Art Nouveau. People wanted to delve more into the natural forms rather than the clutter cause by Victorian art. Influences from different countries reached Europe such as the Japanese art which embodied strong designs filled with rich colors, and the feminine natural beauty revealed by the posters of Czech artist Alphonse Mucha.

Alphonse Mucha's Monaco-Monte Carlo

Different artists were influenced in various ways-exploring the use of colorful materials, applying curves and distortion to wall decorations and structural details. This style spread across Europe affecting the styles of each city in a diverse way-In England this movement influenced product design, others on pottery, and tiles which helped in the design of exterior walls of their buildings. Cities such as Riga, Prague and Moscow became the center of Art Nouveau decoration. People used this influence for the design of upper class homes and hotels to attract clients. One architect however used curves more than the others. Antoni Gaudi designed buildings with curving walls, pillars and irregular windows instead of just solely ornamenting the façades.

Sagrada Familia by Antoni Gaudi

But just like the Art Deco movement, this didn’t last very long. Though this movement was successful in encouraging architects to think out of the box when it comes to designing structures. This paved the way for the new kind of architecture in the 20^th century. 

HSTARC 2 : On Art Deco

This is the period when people started to move past the traditional classical style and created a unique decorative modernist style out of the Egyptian past. This began during an art exhibition in Paris called the Exposition Intertionale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes wherein different designs and styles were shown. What stood out in this exhibition was this varitety of highly decorative luxurious objects that defined what Art Deco really is.

Originating in France, this style was the fusion of colors, patterns and lines. Just like the previous styles, people during this period strived to create a name of their own thus explored different usage of materials and blending of the past styles. Although they let go of the classical, they patterned this new style after Egyptian art and architecture where geometrical patterns and shapes played an important role.

They started out with decorating furniture to add glamour to the interiors of their homes and ended up applying this distinct style to structures. This spread widely across the world, producing elegant, luxurious structures that added sophistication to cities. But it wasn’t long till the Second World War ceased the further development of this style leaving just imprints in the world of architecture.

Two famous art deco buildings that still stand today are the Empire State Building and the Chrysler building both of which located at New York City.

Chrysler Building by William Van Alen

Empire State Building by architects Shreve, Lamb and Harmon 

HSTARC 2 : On Industrial Architecture

            The industrial revolution in Britain gave birth to a new, modern world. Technology was developing fast, new building types such as warehouses and factories were introduced that changed how people lived. Different materials that were made available for people allowed them to take construction into a whole new level. They started exploring and used different structural metal frameworks to create structures that would work for their benefit. This paved the way for the construction of the skyscrapers we see today.

            Structures that were built earlier were mostly made of wood thus had the huge risk of fire. Luckily, during the industrial revolution, iron was made available. The development of the iron industry was pretty quick thus allowed people to build machines, and later on use it for construction. Abraham Darby was the pioneer of using iron and constructed the famous River Severn at England (see photo below). After Darby, people started adopting this technology in the construction of their buildings. Many people followed his footsteps and factories were soon constructed to be fireproof which from then on was the goal of factory builders.

First bridge made completely of iron.

            As the iron production was booming, people devised ways on how to make the most out of this material such as the production of more malleable wrought iron. Puddling, the process that involved melting cast iron in a furnace removed carbon from the metal was used to be able to produce building components detrimental to constructing sturdy structures such as trusses that had to be strong in tension. This mass production of Iron led to the construction of build fire-proof structures with more storeys.

            This era shows us how technology benefits us and contributed to the advancement of the way we live. It allowed us to build faster, stronger structures that allowed people to create the world we live in today. The industrial architecture indeed played a major role in the birth of 20^th century architecture.