The Significance of Home as a Impotent Subject in Modern Architecture - Essay Example

 The Significance of Home as a Potent Subject in Modern Architecture The Significance of Home as a Potent Subject in Modern Architecture Architects have interesting philosophies regarding the spatial limits of a house which is evident from their designs. It should be noted that a house has a great significance in the lives of their owner because they shape it that further shapes their lives. It should be noted that modern architecture laid great stress on the importance of house and therefore, various principles were used in order to design spatial structures or houses for individuals. Le Corbusier is one of the integral names among various architects who enhanced the details of house designs in architecture. This paper aims to study and understand the focus of modern architecture towards housing designs and its importance. For this purpose, Le Corbusier has been selected as an individual architect of modern architecture who formed various principles for house designs. A number of factors have been added in the discussion paper to understand the intensity of significance given to house design by the modern architects. Before understanding the context of modern architecture and housing design, it is important to understand the vision of Le Corbusier. The Swiss architect was famous for his urban designing and theories that were later worked upon by various writers. It comes visible from his theories that home needed a revamp as traditional homes had limits in providing relation and signatory style to its owner. Most importantly, the defensible space theory was also formulated in this context. It was noted that houses were no less than a sacred place for people to live in. They had a control over their spaces and everything that was in that space. It was for this reason that the modern architects had to come up with new features of house design. It was for this reason that the modern architecture experienced new features in the design and architecture of housing projects. These included inclusion of pilotis, free plan, roof garden etc1. The addition of pilotis in the house design in modern architecture allowed the mass to be held in elevation as it provided support. It can be marked that free plan were obtained with the help of separation of load bearing columns. These columns rather worked as a base for creating walls to divide the free plan into different spaces. In addition, it should be noted that Le Corbusier made use of the free façade that provided corollary which further created the vertical plane for house designing2. The material which was previously being used by the architects also changed to a great extent. The framing of the structures was also changing with passage of time because previously there were shorter pavements of the roof as well as narrowed building structures that exhibited support to doors and windows. Traditionally, the doors of the houses were carved and molded which differed in the modern architecture greatly. It was merely because the approach of people in planning out their home was simple and modern. Therefore, planners, designers and architects such as Le Corbusier came up with the idea of using horizontal windows. Also, the windows were designed in such a way that they did not open inside or outside but rather in a sliding panel3. In the wake of developing the modern houses, modern architects tried to minimize any structural errors that were being noted previously. As it has been mentioned in above that more and more stress was being laid on the spaces that were needed in motion, owners of the home expected a new way of living. They had to be sure of the fact that their homes gave them a new outlook to their lives such as inclusion of dining rooms where families could sit together and eat. This had to reflect their culture as well new aspiring way of life which was modern and easy to be done with the help of machines. Let us take the example of furniture that turned new because of the compact sizes. The need of compact furniture was essential part of the architecture of modern houses because there was respective focal point that could have been submerged with the wrong positioning of furniture. Another factor that has greatly affected the architecture of homes is the need of weather proof materials and design. With increase and decrease in temperature because of global warming, the manner in which houses were being designed previously has changed. Modern architects not only made houses with variable design but also gave importance to the weather change. Family values have also changed over time where the structure of biological families has reduced to small size. Herein, the size merely means lesser offspring as people are practically concerned with nurturing children. This had led the space to be used for different purpose instead of bunker architecture which was used previously in European design of houses. Modern architects aligned the purpose of home to more practical definition allowing it to become a place for relaxation and practicing change in life. The concept of technical infusion has been practiced from home even in the previous times where a lot of space was needed for keeping the equipment. This was a similar case of engineers and artists homes and therefore it became a necessity for majority of people. It is due to this reason that architects incorporated the aspect of studio and study in modern homes. The most attractive feature of the modern architecture house was the implementation of roof garden design. In other words, it can be said that the area which was covered by the empty house premises clearly covered the house. All the above noted pointers are also marked as five pointer theory that is used in order to design houses by the modern architects4. Figure 1 Five Points of Le Corbusier 5 In order to understand the practical implication of the design points presented by Le Corbusier, Maison La Roche-Jeanneret has been evaluated. The house is basically double in nature which was built in 1923 during the movement of modern architecture. It will not be incorrect to state that modern houses allowed a more flexible and modern appeal to living standards. Since people were now trying to find ways in which life could be mobile and mechanized, architects had to make sure that their homes were spacious, clean spaces, free plan columns etc. Therefore, a significant framework was used in order to keep the home a picturesque. It was much needed because the artists had to make sure that he owner were able to relate to their homes as it not only provided them a satisfaction of being safe but also connected. In simpler words, it can be said that the home design in modern architecture as carried out with the philosophy that homes had to provide a shelter to people where they could actually feel comfortable and elegant6. Figure 2the Digital Layout of Maison La Roche-Jeanneret 7 Herein, the chosen house Maison La Roche-Jeanneret presents a scenic view of home which has been dwelled by the owners of homes over the years. The spaces which were created or walls that were used in the modern houses for dividing spaces were not noted previously. It was merely because modernarchitecture gave new rooms and personal motions for the members of house so that they could find their respective attraction. Hence, modern houses included dining room for the new designs of houses along with bedrooms, a study, kitchen, maid’s room and a garage (See Figure 1). Also, modern houses included a salon room which was quiet an innovative space in the modern houses. Since the columns were high horizontally, there was an avid need of bringing sunlight from different sections of the houses. Therefore, modern architects made use of balconies through which they could collect light and spread it all over the house8. Figure 3the Working Layout of Maison La Roche-Jeanneret9 By taking a closer investigation of the house Maison La Roche-Jeanneret, it was found out that there were reasons other than the increased usage of the space by the house owners that led to a difference in designing approach during the modern movement of architecture10. The theory of defensible space theory is applicable at this point. The theory has been backed up by a research that claimed apartments to be the most risky projects in terms of crime rate. It is because people living in a project where more than ten families are housed, do not feel the urge or responsibility of taking actions and keeping a check and balance. However, in individual projects, it is observed that one family is responsible for taking the control over check and balance. The theory firstly explains a house to be an environment where a biological family could stay along with a space plan that suits their needs greatly with a proper construction layout. The layout and plan must be suitable for the members of the house who can take care of their own security without being dependent upon others. Modern architecture was noted to be taking the views and ownership into account for every housing project. It was merely because people could not feel secure in a space until they felt ownership for the space. Therefore, designers created layouts that provided them with an expression of control over the space. This is why modern architecture gave increased potency to the concept of house designing throughout the era. Notwithstanding, most of the architects went extra mile such as Le Corbusier who made increased innovation in design that kept the members of the house away from the threat of crime11. In particular, it was suggested by modern architects and designers that spaces were further divided into smaller sections. It was needed because population into smaller quantities was more likely to enhance the security of people. Therefore, urban planning took a shift in the modern architecture which began its verge of design from houses as they were the basic units of designs and buildings. It was not be missed out that this era brought changes in architecture throughout the world where house designs were given the universal importance. It was due to this reason that interior designing professionals were also given credit for their respective projects. This was because architects understood the need of people to have ownership of their houses. People who had little education about the imperativeness of the houses were later on educated by the modern architects12. A supposition was undertaken by the modern architects that claimed the houses to be spaces where an intruder must feel insecure. This is a common behavior that if a space is found to be a responsibility of none then an intruder is more likely to target the space for respective interest. Thus, designs of the houses were done in such a manner that reflected control of members of the property makingburglar and criminals to be insecure. Modern architecture gave enhancement to the environmental design that kept the members of the house to be in less danger and more in control of their property and possession. It is an evident fact that there are four respective aspects that were further employed by the architects before designinghouses in modern movement of design13. The house Maison La Roche-Jeanneret encompasses territory that is based upon the idea of home being sacred which is evident from the territoriality clause of the theory. Natural surveillance is another very important aspect that is provided by modern architects in housing design. This is in context of the fact that owners need to watch for the threats that they may have. In the modern society, crime rate has risen to some increased variations. Therefore, owners of the house or personal spatial projects need to have ways in which they can keep a check of the intruders’ physical actions14. With the help of modern features of windows and doors, it became easier for house owners to keep a look at the areas around the home in case they notice some movement. Horizontally long and sliding windows provided a much safer options for the owners to keep their homes under strict scrutiny. The most significant point that should be studied at this point of discussion is the importance of space for all members of society. Considering the stylistics of Le Corbusier, he made sure that people from all classes of the society were able to opt for houses that were safe. Traditionally, it was being noted that houses with unique ways of design were only for elites. This put the less privileged people of the society to stay in houses that were not safe and efficient in terms of catering their needs. Therefore, modern architects and the father of architects Le Corbusier together came up with unique ideas to construct homes which were large in spatial quantity and were inscribed of different details of surveillance and innovation. At the time of urban crisis, it was noted that majority of people were incorporating spaces that did not cost them much in terms of money. Therefore, simplistic homes were creating without having proper layouts. Architects of modern architecture were able to gain recognition because they held the status of common people to higher and elevated stage because they did not want the poor or less privileged people of the society to stay deprived of innovation of houses. These innovations and addition of new techniques were very important for everyone within the society15. It was merely an experiment that was conducted by the modern architects to check whether modern layout of homes were able to provide sense of ownership to the people who owned them, be it small or large. As a matter of fact, the experiment determined that more and more people were able to feel a change in their lives. They did not just feel at home but rather felt a stronger shelter that aided their ideas and aspirations. There was a significant mobility rate noted in the poor class who wanted to expand their homes and make it a better living space for their families16. Other than housing projects, there were many projects that stacked houses over houses to provide a chance to the poor people to gain ownership of better designed homes. However, the point of defensible space theory did not apply here but it was also a part of project for modern architects to ensure sacred position of homes. One after another, urban planning schemes were created by modern architects who were successful because they inhibited the need of ownership, security and satisfying shelter for people. The changing culture during the 1900s led the architects to think the needs of people that were about being safe in their respective homes rather than being open in landscaping17. Along with the main points, there were a number of critics which were marked against the modern architecture and changes noted in the house design. As a matter of fact, change within asociety is not appreciated by every individual in the society. The conservatives who tried to resist the change were proven to have less education about the need of house design and security associated with the aspect. Critics also put forward that there was an avid need of materials which were present in abundance. They claimed that in case architects were trying to lessen down the expensive rates of housing to make better living standards of poor people then they must have used cheaper materials.There were a number of incidents that took place which showed the individuals that there was increased need of changes and details in spatial division by modern architects. Rhetorical debates were undertaken in this regard that allowed the conservatives to understand the need of features. The elites had a stubborn view of the change in class structure and mobility for the poor and less privileged.Theoretical investigations were also undertaken which provided a horizon to understanding of house design and the features that catered the need of modern way of living. Through the above analysis, it comes to understanding that there have been a number of factors for which house designing and layout changed vastly in the modern architecture. As a matter of fact, house remains one the most important space for individuals where they not only safe but also feel it a personal shelter. Considering this aspect, architects in the modern movement of design came up with interesting features which are now being used as five points of Le Corbusier. These features not only allowed the working of architects but also provided a sense of security to the house owners. Also, theories such as Defensible space theory marked that home needed a design and layout that catered their needs and desires because modern ways of living changed to a great extend. Also, there are some of the societal issues that have led the architects to consider difference in style. For instance, the crime rate rose to a great extent which resulted in creating homes that were territorially safe. Also, these homes were providing a way to the owners to keep a check and balance or in other words, continue with surveillance. The images that were used in the paper to discuss the features and difference in the stylistics also mark that houses gained a great deal of recognition in modern architecture because it depended upon the view of people when it came to structures and designing of buildings. Overall, it can be well stated despite extreme criticism, modern architecture successfully made use of newer features. With the above pointers, it comes to understanding that even small details such as windows and doors were able to bring greater differences. Thus, increased need of design was implemented and practically worked in every aspect of designing from roof work to the pavement. Not to forget the spaces and walls those were created on the columns to support the building underneath. Since 1900s till now, design of houses have been given great importance in order to let the owners feel the sense of belonging. Biblography Read More