Week 12

MODERNISM IN AMERICA

Modernism in America started after many designers from Europe moved to the United States because of World War II. The war had a huge effect on Europe, and the famous Bauhaus design school was shut down. This caused many modern architects to come to America, where their ideas became more practical and useful in everyday life. One well-known architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, created famous buildings like Fallingwater and the S.C. Johnson Wax Headquarters. Even though his work didn’t fit into the "International Style," his designs were creative and focused on using natural materials and blending buildings with their surroundings.

Frank LLoyd Wright- Fallingwater

       S.C. Johnson Wax Headquarters

Other important modern architects in America included Rudolph Schindler, who used simple materials like concrete and redwood to create homes with open yet flowing spaces. Richard Neutra focused on light, air, and connecting buildings with nature. Architects like Mies van der Rohe, Philip Johnson, and Eero Saarinen made bold designs with glass, steel, and even furniture, helping modernism grow into a strong and lasting style in America.

Rudolph Schindler

Current Applications

One Step Further

William Lescaze moved to the United States in the 1920s. He was one of the first to bring European modernist ideas to American architecture. William is best known for designing the Philadelphia Savings Fund Society building, considered the first modern skyscraper in the U.S. He used clean lines, glass, and steel, which were very different from the older styles of the time. His work helped modernism become more accepted in American architecture, especially in commercial and office design.

Comments

  1. Professor VanderNoordaaApril 13, 2025 at 12:18 PM

    Ruth,
    Beautiful Blog entry that summarized FLW, Rudolph Schindler and other significant designers of this period. Your modern applications were strong and you provided us with a good summary of William Lescaze. I wish you would have shown some of his work. 50/50 points

    ReplyDelete

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