Modern Architecture - Essay Example

Less is more Less is a bore! Before the 20th century, architecture was mostly inspired by ical styles such as Roman and Greek styles. As the19th and 20th century gradually moved in however, people outgrew these classical styles and preferred to create new styles of architecture that will fit the times. Greek and Roman style architectural styles seemed to be out-dated and inconsistent by the coming of the 20th century and new styles of architecture must be devised in order to keep up with rapid pace of technological development that society faces. Two of these modern styles of architecture are 'Modernism' and 'Post-modernism'. "Less is more" and Modern Architecture One of the latest styles of architecture that emerged in the 20th century is Modern architecture. Modern architecture can be best described as a style which believes that "Less is more". The major proponent of this style is Ludwig Mies van der Rohe which thought of the "Less is more" theme for modern architecture. Modern architecture is known for its rejection of the classical styles (historicism) and believes that the materials and functions of the objects used in the structure is the end all and be all of the structure. It also firmly applies the principle of industrial aesthetic and the concept of functionality over being ornamental. Unnecessary details are removed and all design aspects are streamlined ("Modern Architecture", 006a). "Less is more" emphasises that every part of the structure must have a purpose other than being ornate and that every part must compliment each other in terms of function. In modern architectural design, the overall from and aesthetic value of a structure is determined by its function and the materials it is made from. This should be done without reverting to classical design concepts. A structure, commonly a building is envisioned as a wide governing space that rests on delicate foundations and surrounded by walls and ceilings complementing the foundations rather than a chunk of rock and other materials. Modern architectural design is mostly based on industrial concepts and by modern art styles such as abstract and impressionism. Le Corbusier's book entitled Vers une architecture (1923, tr. 1927) is a very good source of inspiration for modern architectural styles as well as the writings of Dutch architect J. J. P. Oud and German architect Walter Gropius, who handled the design of the Bauhaus in Dessau. Other early proponents of the modern movement include: German architects such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Marcel Breuer, Ernst May along with American architects Raymond Hood, Albert Kahn, Richard J. Neutra, William Lescaze, and George Howe ("Form and Materials." 2006). Modern architectural style is also known as 'International style', 'Neue Sachlichkeit', and 'functionalism' and has been around after the end of World War II. Modern architecture relies on modern materials, the principles of functionality and the rejection of historicism and everything that is purely ornamental ("Modern architecture." 2006b). early forms of modern architecture were seen in the 1900's, but modern architecture was not formalised yet. Those times saw the advent of simplified and functional structures that eventually became the signature of modern architecture. By the 1940's the characteristics of this style were identified and given the name 'International Style' which became the trend for most building styles in the twentieth century. Some historians think that modern architecture is a response of the society to 'Modernity' and further in to the so-called 'Enlightenment'. They view it as a result of all the social and political turmoil that happened during that period. Critics and architectural experts however view modern architecture as the natural path of architecture fuelled by the latest advancements in structural technology and development in engineering. Also the availability of modern materials such as Plexiglas, metal alloys concrete etc. drove today's modern structures into functionality rather than just being aesthetically acceptable ("Modern Architecture", 2006a). By the 1920s the three most prominent names in modern architecture began to spread the ideals of this new architectural style. The three masters of modern architecture are: Le Corbusier from France, and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius who are both from Germany. Both Mies van der Rohe and Gropius became directors of the Bauhaus, one of several European schools and associations that aims to align traditional architectural methods with modern technology. The American Modern architect Frank Lloyd Wright, although a contemporary of the three European modernists, was inspired by their concepts especially through his viewing of the Wasmuth Portfolio, but Wright refused to be classified among them. Modern architects want to break out of the mould of classical architects preferring the construction of functional buildings rather than ornate ones. Modern material such as glass for the walls, steel for the framework and logical floor and special plans are trademarks of modern architectural style ("Modern Architecture", 2006a). The Crystal Palace in London built in 1851 is just but one of the many modern architectural wonders still in existence today. In 1889 newly erected Eiffel Tower in Paris was met with public protests not only because of the perceived dangers of its bare iron framework but also for its non-conformity with classical architectural design. William Le Baron Jenney's Home Insurance Building in Chicago built in 1883-85 was a fine example of a skyscraper built upon a complete steel framework, which was considered as remarkable at that time. Jenney's contemporary, Louis Henry Sullivan was the pioneer of the theory of functionalism which he applied to many of his architectural works. Further developments in the use of concrete for construction were by the French pair Franois Hennebique and Auguste Perret by the American Ernest Ransome in a series of independent experiments. The aforementioned Frank Lloyd Wright was a protg of Sullivan interpreted interior and exterior spaces in his modern residential designs through a series of experiments. Wright's work was highly recognised in Holland as such as the architects of de Stijl sought him to organize structural elements into new combinations which make use rectangular planes that are placed on top of one another ("Development of the Style." 2006). Other notable and internationally famous Modern structures are the United Nations headquarters designed by Le Corbusier, Oscar Niemeyer and Sir Howard Robertson, the Seagram Building by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and Lever House by Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill all of which are located in New York ("Modern Architecture", 2006a). "Less is bore" and Post-modern Architecture Post-modernism is an of-shoot of modernism, an architectural style that has only recently emerged and developed in the 1980's. The definition of post-modernism is rather unclear at the moment, as it tackles and includes various disciplines including art, architecture, music, film, literature, sociology, communications, fashion, and technology. It is also unclear when exactly post-modernism emerged although accounts have placed its conception in the 1980's. (Kluges, 2003). It is said that architecture should evolve with the passing of time and that architecture should serve the needs of the society that fosters it. The more humankind adapts to the modern environment, the more architecture will change to suit the need of mankind. In the 1960's, there was a notable opposition of architects against the Modern architectural principle of 'Less is more'. Modern architecture seemed to be turning out as too dull and rather unpleasant. Thus architects at that time sought to build structures that will please the community, structures that define the people that uses it along, structures where people can have fun being in and at the same time says something about the community ("Postmodern Architecture." N.d.). It is at this time that the concept of 'Less is a bore' came into being. The post-modern concept of 'Less is a bore'. The post-modern concept of 'Less is a bore" presents that modern structure should not be totally dull all along. Post-modern concepts allow for the use of classical and modern principles in the design of structures rather than one of these design tenets. The structure should be functional and yet have a strong sense of the aesthetic attached unto it. It takes in consideration that humans are not robots that are always governed by logical thought. The proponents of the post-modern style state that the use of stiff and rigid angular shapes degrades the quality of human living. One of these proponents, Le Corbusier described Modern structures as 'machines for the living' and goes on those humans are not machines and that people in the first place will not like to live inside machines. Another post-modernist, Philip Johnson stated that he the use of too much geometry is boring. As time passed, many architect and structural designers are finding ways to get away from Modern architecture. It was in the 1980's that architects begun to explore the possibility of using more rounded and organic designs for structures which they feel is more human than harsh, geometric shapes. Much of this is labelled as 'mid-century modernism' due to its focus on freedom ad fun which is opposed to Modern architecture's universal, sterile, elitist nature. Alvar Aalto and Eero Saarinen are just two proponents n this movement both of which were influenced by contemporary modernism. ("Modern Architecture", 2006a). On the other side of the fence, modernist architects regard post-modern structures as unacceptable and full of unnecessary features. Post modern architects retaliate by labelling modernist strictures as soul-less and bland. This enmity comes from the fact that modernist follows the rule of minimalism and the rejection of everything ornamental while post-modernist believe that structures should not be restricted to rigid design laws and should apply some aesthetic to their structures in terms of flowing angles and organic shapes ("Postmodern Architecture", 2006). Modern architecture was criticised more and more for its sterile, standardised nature as well as for its total disregard for regional structural preferences. This was especially true during the 1950's when the need for the next generation of architects with fresh styles were needed while conforming to that day's aesthetic values and material limitations. The architectural works of Louis Kahn, Edward Durell Stone, and Philip Cortelyou Johnson along with the architects of the so-called New Brutalism movement in England were the ones that started the post-modern revolution at that time. Eero Saarinen and the late works of Le Corbusier all feature characteristics of post-modernism with their seemingly sculpted buildings. Other leading architects of that time include Alvar Aalto of Finland, the Italian pair Pier Luigi Nervi and Paolo Soleri along with Lacio Costa, Oscar Niemeyer, Juan O'Gorman, and Felix Candela ("The Style Evolves." 2006). in the1960's, the works of Robert Venturi criticised the modern architectural movement, forming a sort of revolution against this type of architectural style. This is when architects began reviving the use of ornaments but laced with a modern twist, ignoring the once dull and unornamented tenets of modernism. The result was a fusion of modern and classical themes that eventually came into being as post-modern architecture. Prominent architects working in the post-modern era include Philip Johnson (converted from modernism), Michael Graves, Ricardo Bofill, and Aldo Rossi ("Development of Postmodernism." 2006). Postmodernism is similar to modernism and although it follows most of the same concepts it applies most of its own ideas such as the rejection of boundaries between high and low forms of art, the rejection of rigid genre distinctions, an emphasis on imitation, parody irony, and playfulness. Post-modern architecture as well as thought favours the use of reflexivity and self-consciousness, fragmentation and discontinuity, ambiguity, spontaneity, and an interest on the deconstructed and humanized subjects. Although post-modernism is a lot like modernism in so many ways, it differs from modernism towards the use of a lot of things and concepts. For example, modernism tends to have a twisted and often rigid view of human history, society and everyday activities (think of The Wasteland, for instance, or of Woolf's To the Lighthouse Modernist enforce the concept that art can endow the world with the unity, coherence, and meaning which they feel has been missing in most aspects of modern life. They believe that art will do what human institutions and morals failed to do. Postmodernism on the other hand does not believe in the concepts of fragmentation or incoherence in real life, but rather enjoys and revels in the chaos that it brings. It patronises non-sense, chaos and lack of meaning and focuses on what is fun and entertaining rather than lament for what is lost (Kluges, 2003). Postmodern architecture evolved from the modernist movement even if it is in contrast with many of modernist ideas and concepts. Postmodernist buildings are a fusion of the traditional and modern and may startle, surprise, and even amuse people who view these structures. Ordinary shapes and details are used in odd and unthinkable ways. Postmodern structures may either incorporate iconography to make a statement or simply be there to delight the viewer and even the occasional critic. Robert Venturi's books 'Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture' and 'Learning from Las Vegas' are important references between the contrasts and similarities of modern and post-modern architecture ("What is Postmodernism" 2006) Some classic examples of modern architecture are the Lever House and the Seagram Building as well as the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright or structures that were constructed according to the Bauhaus movement. As for transitional examples of postmodern architecture there are the Portland Building in Orlando, Florida and the Sony Building in New York City which was formerly the AT&T Building, which uses various classical elements and references while reintroducing ornamental concepts such as colour and symbolism. Now, an excellent example of a postmodern structure can be found along the Las Vegas Strip mentioned by Robert Venturi in his book entitled 'Learning from Las Vegas' in reference to the strip's rather lavish and outlandish structures. Postmodern architecture is also known as 'neo-eclectic' architecture, pertaining to the way ornaments and other aesthetic elements were returned to the architectural scene. The State Gallery Stuttgart (Staatsgalerie Stuttgart) and the Piazza d'Italia by Charles Willard Moore are excellent examples of neo-eclectic structures which makes of unusual angles and surfaces for the overall aesthetic appeal of both structures ("Postmodern Architecture", 2006). Conclusion Modernism and Postmodernism were both revolutionary architectural styles in the 20th century. Both showed that some elements of classical structural design can exist alongside modern society. Like many other aspects of human life, architecture changes and evolves over time, with society dictating the type of architecture is appropriate. Recent technological leaps and bound also played an important part in the development of Modernism and Postmodernism. Along with the introduction of new materials, materials science, the advent of CADD and other digital architectural aids, architects and designers and designer now have more freedom in designing and building structures now than ever before. Bibliography "Development of Postmodernism." 2006. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopaedia, 6th ed. Retrieved May 03, 2006, from http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/world/A0859695.html "Development of the Style." 2006. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopaedia, 6th ed. Retrieved May 03, 2006, from http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/world/A0859692.html Fleming, John, Hugh Honour, and Nikolaus Pevsner. (n.d.). The Penguin Dictionary of Architecture. Penguin Books. "Form and Materials." 2006. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Retrieved May 03, 2006, from http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/world/A0859693.html Haris, Cyril M. 2000. Dictionary of Architecture and Construction. McGraw-Hill, Inc. International edition. Klages, Mary.April 21, 2003 Postmodernism. Retrieved May 03, 2006, fromhttp://www.colorado.edu/English/ENGL2012Klages/pomo.html "Mies van der Rohe." 2006. Retrieved May 03, 2006, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mies_van_der_Rohe "Modern Architecture." 2006a. Retrieved May 03, 2006, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_architecture "Modern architecture." 2006b. Retrieved May 03, 2006, from http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/world/A0833538.html Musgrove, John. (ed.). (1987). A History of Architecture. London; The Royal Institute of British Architects and the University of London "Postmodern Architecture." (n.d.). Retrieved May 03, 2006, from http://www-personal.umich.edu/jewestla/pomo.html "Postmodern architecture.". 2006. Wikipedia Foundation Inc. Retrieved May 03, 2006, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postmodern_architecture "Robert Venturi Denise Scott Brown." 2006. Retrieved May 03, 2006, from http://architecture.about.com/library/bld-venturi.htm "The Style Evolves." 2006. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Retrieved May 03, 2006, from http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/world/A0859694.html "What is Postmodernism" 2006 Retrieved May 03, 2006, from http://architecture.about.com/library/blgloss-postmodernism.htm Read More