Week 7

 Emergence of Modernism (1900’s-1950’s)

Gina Christopher

This design period was in between WW1 and WW2. The world was not as prosperous economically during this time and politically unrest. That is why the there are a lot of inexpensive materials used during this time and interiors/furniture were designed around the average person. Instead of wood material, designers used a lot of steel and molded plywood. The designers of this time pursued modernism purposefully during this time. Modernism emerged in Germany and looked toward the future, not the past. Industrialization was an inspiration to the key designers of this period. They also looked towards functionalism as a philosophy, meaning that designs were simply functional and not ornamental. The memorial architects of this time were Frank Lloyd Wright, Walter Gropius, Mies van der Rohe, and Le Corbusier. Walter Gropius created the Bauhaus school, which was a huge new educational program that taught fine arts, architecture, design, town planning, film, etc. This was a huge movement because it unified the arts and promoted taking that route in life. 

My favorite art/architecture/design/furniture 

Villa Savoye ; Le Corbusier 

Le Corbusier was a French architect and he is best known for urban design. I choose the Villa Savoye house as one of my favorites because it is a perfect example of designing towards industrialization and functionalism. The first floor of the house is elevated by columns and designed around this semi-circle ish garage. So, Le Corbusier actually designed this home and driveway based on the new cars of this time period and being able to pull right into your home. I really like his concept of having a functional space on the roof. I also studied this project as a precedent, so I added a photo of the model I made! 

Brno Chair (Mies van der Rohe) + Cesca Chair (Marcel Breuer)

I really love the idea of cantilever chairs because they make a space feel more open and clean. I also like that these chairs have steel legs because it makes the furniture feel even more sleek. I actually have a cantilever chair in my room! It has steel legs and a clear plastic seat so it works great for my small dresser. 

Barcelona Pavilion ; Mies van der Rohe 

Mies van der Rohe had an eye for details. He used rich materials and kept interiors open and flowing. The Barcelona Pavilion put Mies on the map. The pavilion is based on a grid design, using negative space to direct viewers attention. The pavilion’s free standing wall is made out of golden onyx from the Atlas Mountains in North Africa. WOW! I just love the simply modern look decorated with the use of material and not objects. I think this Pavilion is stunning!

Current Applications 

Cantilever Chairs 

Garages underneath homes 

Modern/open floor plans today

One Step Further 

Frank Lloyd Wright 

Frank Lloyd Wright was an American architect, designer, writer, and educator. He started his own practice in Oak Park in 1893. He participated in broth residential and commercial work. He promoted organic architecture which is best seen in his most famous work - Fallingwater (pictured in top left photo below). He is also known for his prairie style homes, which I covered in an earlier blog. He is a very well known architecture to do his high production of designs and ideas. He has designed buildings across the United States and even Japan. I think he is so intriguing because he produced designs that are so different from one another but yet still so fascinating.