Beginning the explorations unit we enter the world of “modernism” leaving behind the world of glitz and glamour associated with the art deco and art nevoeau movement. Leading the conversation in modernism was the Bauhaus school of Germany. Founded by Walter Gropius this school of thought challenged what it meant to be modern. Bauhaus meaning international style sought out a form of architecture that could speak a similar language no matter where on the earths surface the structure sat. With a reduction of surface decoration Bauhaus architects allowed the form to serve as both structure as well as ornamentation, occasionally using primary colors such as red blue and yellow to create a balance or harmony in a space. From the Bauhaus school arose the architect and product designer Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe. His famous words “less is more” captures the spirit of “modern” architecture at the time. These words came to fruition in his design of the Farnsworth house of Plano Illinois. The house embodies a since of a clean aesthetic and dematerialization echo Van Der Rohe’s statement of “less is more”
Practicing architecture along side of Gropius and Van Der Rohe was the French architect Le Corbusier. Designing structures such as the Villa Savoye Corbusier took a similar approach to architecture as many of the Bauhaus scholars stating “the house is a machine for living.” As in the Bauhaus designs Corbusier designs represented purity in form and aesthetics.
The reactions to this style of architecture were many and varied. The biggest criticism to the “modern” movement was the structures were cold and unlivable. This response led to two things. Softer modernism or post modernism and the rise of interior design as a profession. Leading the conversation in softer modernism were the Scandinavian designers Alvar Alto, Eero Sarinien, as well as Charles and Ray Eames.
Following these periods modernism can be split into three categories. First being technological or deconstructionalism. These buildings include structures such as Disney music hall or Zaha Hadids Guggenheim. The structures seem almost futuristic in nature and are possibly due to the technological advances made in computers. The second movement following modernism was classical revival. Although it was short lived we can see examples of this movement on our own campus in the Alumni house found on College Avenue. The third movement is the Locality or Regionalism. Placing an emphasis on the use of local materials as well as sustainability many this style rejected the notion of Bauhaus and international style.
With ending the exploration unit as well as the semester we are still left with asking the question what does it mean to be modern and how does this philosophy translate onto the earths surface as architecture.
