Architecture History - Essay Example

? ARCHITECTURE HISTORY Architecture Architecture History Introduction Architectural work has evolved since the time of Neolithic works to the present post- modern architecture through a progressive development process. Architecture deals with the task of planning, designing and implementing buildings and other physical structures that conform to the demands of the time, space and location. As opposed to the Neolithic age when mud-brick structures and animal paintings were common, the modern style embraces new building designs including use of stone brick and glass in construction. The international style, also referred to as modern architecture, emerged between 1920 and 1930 and the change in design was manifested in various forms1. During this time, architects had access to new technologies that empowered their design and the society demands were dynamic at this time. The purpose of this article is to examine the theme of nationalism and regionalism as depicted in the Australian architecture. Regional architecture is a new approach to architecture that aims to orient the placeless modern architecture and to give it a sense of belonging. Regional and national architecture is the use of unique design and that is only relevant and associated with a specific place. The Sydney School of architecture is perceived as the mother of the international style in Australia after it introduced the concept of organic architecture. This design requirement emerged in the year 1950s when the need arose to reform architectural design to accommodate the complex demands of the new world2. Consequently, Sydey School is perceived as a solution to a constrained international architectural design. 1Edquist, Harriet. Pioneers of Modernism: The Arts and Crafts Movement in Australia. Carlton: Miegunyah Press, 2008. 2Callister, Winsome. “Dealing with the ‘Sydney School’: Perspectives on Australian Architecture in the 1950s and 1960s.” Transition, no. 21 (September 1987): 6-12. Audette House The concept of organic architecture was developed by Lloyd Wright to define a new design plan that would be harmonious to the environment, while still remaining creative and natural. The proposition of the philosopher was that forms and functions of an architect were one and the same thing as opposed to the traditional believes that assumed that forms follow functions3. Modern architects have embraced this design principle to come up with unique structures that are natural and youthful by utilizing natural materials and taking advantage of topographical forms. Peter Muller is among one of the organic architects that adopted the principles laid down by Wright in his definition of the modern design. One unique artistic work of Muller that has garnered a lot of attraction as an organic structural design is the Audette House that he designed in Australia. A feature that has captured many architects in this piece of work is the topographical design forms that Muller included in his plans. This architect employed horizontal lines to integrate the house with the sloppy landscape and to accomplish the initial design requirement of a solar friendly design. The use of free form angles and flat topped roofs was a unique attribute that connects to the idea of organic architecture that Wright saw as new characteristic of modern buildings. In addition, the surrounding of the building is covered by a natural aesthetic of plants that was part of this landscape even before the existence of this building. Natural aesthetic is one of the emphases that organic architects have put forward to ensure that structures interfere minimally with the natural environment. In this view, Audette building can be regarded as typical structure that defines the organic school of architectural design4. 3Pearson, David. The Breaking Wave: New Organic Architecture. New York: Cengage, 2001. p. 72. 4Irving, Robert. Fine Houses of Sydney. Australia: Methuen, 2000. P160-169. Another unique feature of the Audette house is the selection of materials used for construction of this building. On the exterior walls, Muller used glass to optimize light and views on the middle harbour while he used untreated wood and brick on the other portion of the building. Also, he used copper and timber to blend the natural environment which is a fundamental requirement of the organic design in the modern architectural work. The organic feel that this building generates can be attributed to his ability to integrate the use of brick and terrazzo blocks within the same structure as well as the use of mortar on the layered structure. The use of these features seems to be the Australian architect’s interpretation of brutality architecture that is used to define a rough and blocky design that emerged in the 20th century. Muller used a variety of materials including glass, wood, mortar and hardwood to produce a roughly appearance which is the main characteristic of the brutal structures and buildings in the international style of architecture5. In brief, Muller’s design was a unique representation in the reinterpretation of the international styles by a critical regionalism architecture style. Mosman House Ken Wolly’s design of Mosman House is a unique representation of regionalism in architectural design. This building has captured a lot of attention as an integrative design that employs brutal, organic and international architectural styles to come up with eco-system friendly structure. The building was raised on a rocky ground and rises up from the earth with a unique appeal to the sea and the sky, a design that seems to suit the environmental conditions of Mossman6. 5Irving, Robert. Fine Houses of Sydney. Australia: Methuen, 2000. P160-169. 6Frampton, Kenneth. “Critical Regionalism: Modern Architecture and Cultural Identity.” In Modern Architecture: A Critical History, 3rd ed., 314-327. London: Thames & Hudson, 1992. The exterior environment provides a unique serene atmosphere with ample space, natural footprints such as grass and optimal shading from light. It is not by surprise that Ken Wolly was awarded for this unique structure that the jury found exciting and environmental friendly. The topographical planning of this structure is more similar to the proposition of Sydney style of architecture. On topographical plan, Wolly designed slanting roofs to ensure that they were parallel to the ground and in line with the natural altitude of the site. The use of split lines and rigid rectangular frameworks all are relevant to the international emphasize on the fusion of form and functionalism in design. Wolly used these features to conform to the site terrain and to have minimal impact on the natural ground at this site that was rocky. The romantic feature of this building has been expressed in its ability to maintain organic aesthetics by remaining cautious while conducting topographic planning7. In addition, the materials used in the design of Mosman House borrow a lot from the Sydney School of architecture that reinterprets the international style. Wolly used concrete, bricks, glass and mortar to come up with a building that reflects the location of this building. The glass walls allow one to view the natural sceneries such as sea and plants from inside the house to create a natural appeal of the environment surrounding the person8. The design of rough concrete walls on the exterior of this building is a critical feature of the brutal architectural art that is employed in the modernistic designs. The integration of different styles can be perceived as a way of adopting a post-modern approach of construction, where uniqueness is an absolute requirement. 7MacMahon, Bill. The Architecture of East Australia: An Architectural History in 432 Individual presentations. Sydney: Axel Menges, 2001. p. 142. 8Ibis p. 145 Wolly’s architectural technique seems to be influenced by local environment rather than the international ideas. The entire design gives the house user a sense of the environment that they are currently in, rather than placeless orientation. The fact that the design is a best fit for the topography of that location and the walls are designed to expose the natural forests that are on the outside of the building, gives Mosman House credit as a product of organic design. The use of locally available materials such as bricks ensures that the cost of construction is minimized and that the design correlates with the environment with which it is located. In brief, Wolly had an idea of regionalism architecture in designing Mosman house to suit the landscape and the environment that it is located in. Conclusion The Sydney school architecture has had a great impact on the structural design in the international environment to a great extent. The concept of organic environment that was earlier misunderstood by the traditional designer has now become a major weapon for architects. The organic style changed the earlier concept of functions and forms by redefining by drawing a similarity between the two forms. The proposition of this style is that just like organs are specialized to their functions, physical structures be established to conform to the local natural environment and to have the least effect possible to the natural eco-system. The Sydney school of architecture defined a style that integrates architectural styles including brutal, organic and artistic design that conforms to the local location of the structure. Successful architect such as Muller and Wolly seem to have captured the Sydney style in their topographical design and utilization of locally available materials to advance structures that least affect the environment and minimize the cost of construction. 9Callister, Winsome. “Dealing with the ‘Sydney School’: Perspectives on Australian Architecture in the 1950s and 1960s.” Transition, no. 21 (September 1987): 6-12. This appears to be a solution of the constraints of the international style that neglected the natural appeal of the environment in which the structure exists. In brief, Sydney style is a reinterpretation of the international style to integrate the aspects of regional and national styles in the architecture, which marked a turning point for modern design in the history of architecture. 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