Week 7


The Emergence of Modernism

The Emergence of Modernism was a major shift in architecture and interior design that was heavily influenced by political, economic, and technological changes following World War I. There was a shift from historical styles to industrial materials like steel, glass, and concrete. During these times, there was an emphasis on functionalism. This meant that designs focused on usefulness or functionality rather than decoration. The increase in skyscrapers, cars, and mass production helped shape this new movement. The International Style emphasized clean lines, open spaces, radical simplicity, and minimal ornamentation. This then became a defining feature of modern architecture.

Several architects played key roles in shaping Modernism. Frank Lloyd Wright created organic architecture that blended with nature. He designed well-known buildings like the Robie House and the Johnson Wax Building. Walter Gropius founded the Bauhaus school, which combined art, design, and technology for functional furniture and buildings. Mies van der Rohe, known for "less is more," focused on simplicity and open spaces, such as the Barcelona Pavilion and the Farnsworth House. Le Corbusier developed ideas for modern urban planning and designed buildings like Villa Savoye using concrete and open floor plans. Their work was seen as innovative and further shaped future architecture.

FAVORITES

Frank Lloyd Wright

Le Corbusier

Ludwig Mies


CURRENT APPLICATIONS





ONE STEP FURTHER

Walter Gropius was a German architect who founded the Bauhaus. It was a school that combined art, design, and technology. He believed in simple, functional buildings made with modern materials like steel and glass. His most famous work, the Bauhaus building in Dessau had large windows and open spaces, which set a model for modern architecture. After moving to America, Gropius taught at Harvard and designed buildings like the Harvard Graduate Center. His ideas shaped modern design by focusing on efficiency, clean lines, and new materials.

Bauhaus

Bauhaus Archive


Comments

  1. Professor VanderNoordaaMarch 8, 2025 at 8:51 AM

    Ruth,
    Great Blog entry this week. I loved your summary and images. Walter Gropius was a perfect designer to take a deeper look at. 50/50 points

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Week 2

Image
Japan and Japanisme Japanese architecture focuses on simplicity, natural materials, and a strong connection to nature. Homes are mainly built with wood and use sliding doors (shoji and fusuma) to create flexible spaces. Rooms are sized based on tatami mats, and decoration is minimal, often centered around a small display area (tokonoma) for art or flowers. Houses are designed to blend with nature, often including gardens. Because of earthquakes, buildings are made mostly of wood instead of stone. After Japan reopened to trade in 1854, Western architects became interested in Japanese design. They admired the simple forms, natural materials, and open layouts. Japanese styles influenced modern architecture, including designers like Frank Lloyd Wright. The Katsura Imperial Villa, with its clean design, inspired architects such as Walter Gropius and Mies van der Rohe. Japanese furniture, being low and simple, influenced Western home design, as did Japa...
Read more

Week 13

Image
  Modernism in America Part II Mid-Century Modernism ran from 1950 to 1960. This style was characterized by flat/low-slope roofs, open floor plans, and clean lines. It also involved a strong connection between indoor and outdoor spaces through wide glass walls. It was greatly popular on the West Coast and the style embraced both earthy and trendy colors. This style also utilized modern materials such as plastic, fiberglass, and laminates in both architecture and furnishings. Real estate developer Joseph Eichler played a significant role in shaping mid-century modern residential design by constructing over 11,000 homes using post-and-beam construction. He aimed to make modern architecture more accessible and affordable for the average American family, blending innovative design with practical living spaces. In furniture design, well-known designers like Eero Saarinen, Charles and Ray Eames, George Nelson, and Isamu Noguchi helped shape the modern style by using creative forms a...
Read more

Week 14

Image
Postmodernism/Deconstruction Postmodernism in interior design and architecture emerged in the 1980s as a reaction against the simplicity and constraints of Modernism.  After the economic struggles of the 1970s, people were ready for more fun, and expressive design. The Memphis Movement was founded in Milan in 1981 by designers like Ettore Sottsass and Michele de Lucchi. It was a great example of the shift with bold, playful designs influenced by Art Deco and Pop Art. Ettore Sottsass A few key figures in Postmodern architecture include Robert Venturi, who rejected the simplicity of Modernism in favor of complexity and historical ornamentation. Michael Graves was a member of the New York Five, who emphasized color, decoration, and human-centered design. Others, like Charles Gwathmey, Richard Meier, and John Hejduk, explored the geometric complexity, white minimalist palettes, and psychological depth in architecture. The office environment also evolved, which was influenced by th...
Read more