Apartment Building Structures in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries - Research Paper Example

?The use of apartment building structures in the nineteenth and twentieth century also changed the way in which urban planning developed. When looking at different buildings, it is noted that the development and expansion was based on the practicality of the buildings and the framework which each contained. This was combined with a variety of concepts that individual architects used to create an association with the culture of the time. The concepts which were used were able to change the way in which urban development occurred and built different spaces that were used for expansion of cities. Looking at different examples shows the portrayal of various concepts and how apartment buildings provided a different approach to urban development. The first architectural concept which was created for those looking at newer structures for apartment buildings was from Ludwig Mies der Rohe, which created the Lake Shore Drive Apartments in Chicago, Illinois (see Appendix A). The residence addresses were considered luxury apartments at the time. The concept was to create high – rises that were available for living instead of smaller structures with housing. The main concept that was used by Mies was to have structural clarity with the buildings by creating repetitive frameworks with the windows and the contemporary columns at the bottom of the structure. Open windows and frames through the high – rise were the main ideology. The approach was to save on space for practical development in urban spaces while making each space feel like a home instead of an apartment with the use of the open windows and beams that created the open framework in each room. The production combined with the Bauhaus movement from Germany and World War II styles. This was based on practicality and repetition through the square framework. This was combined with the high – end technology by creating the high rise for modernism which could be used with the structure1. A second structure that was able to redefine the concepts of the nineteenth and twentieth century was from the Majestic Apartments, built in New York from 1930 – 31 by Jacques Delamarre (see Appendix B). This structure took a similar form to the Chicago apartments with the high rise and practicality of each of the levels. The urban planning was based on offering high – rises instead of expanding with land, specifically to fit a higher population into the area. This was combined with the idea of art deco for a different design. The outer area is made of light brown brick and limestone. The unique pattern is furthered with glazed corners for the top of the apartment to create a combination of artistic looks with the practical options of the apartment high – rises. The changes which occurred with urban development then combined the concept of practical and comfortable living with saving development space. This was furthered with the art deco style to create urban planning as an accent with the arts that were developed2. The importance of this building for the twentieth century was based on combining traditional art approaches with the changes in urban development. The infrastructure looked at the practicality o the buildings first. However, the art deco added into the landscape of the city for development that was based on creating a culture within the city through the artwork that was developed with the architectural pieces. The third apartment building structure which created a similar response to the time frame was the Auguste perret Apartments in Franklin, Paris, completed in 1902 (see Appendix C). The concept of practicality with the high – rise is one which is seen in these particular buildings, similar to the others. The urban planning was then based on developing more space for more individuals. The concept is furthered with the infrastructure that is developed with ornamented areas, balconies in the front and open areas with the windows that are displayed. This particular ideology was one which linked to the culture, specifically in creating the understanding of the structure of the city and how modernism created a space for practical solutions with art. The way in which the infrastructure was created moved further with the idea of creating high – rises that overlooked Paris, specifically so one could continuously take in the modern city and the development of the region. Creating an outlook to the environment through the high rise then moved a step beyond practicality and art work. Instead, it moved into the understanding of building a city which took in the culture and development that was continuously a part of the expansion of Paris. The idea of the modern building was then framed by creating the landscape as a part of the highlights for high – rises that were in different regions3. The various influences seen through these developments created a modern concept to the development of homes and living spaces within the urban area. The infrastructure of the interior was based first on providing the needed comfort, similar to a home. It was expected that individuals moving to neighborhoods within the city would need to have enough room to live without having a home. This development was led by apartment complexes that were combined with the infrastructure. To further this, architects combined different movements with the processes used. The culture of Paris seen from the open windows, art deco to highlight the high – rises and the approach to practical structures were some of the concepts that were used in each area. The philosophy was to develop a method that helped with practical solutions to the growing cities. At the same time, there were accents on making the areas unique through the art work, architectural philosophies and the planning and development that took place. The concept was to change quality of life by adding in the philosophies, such as creating overviews of the city or open windows that held a practical structure for those living in the buildings4. The concepts that are associated with apartment building structures of the nineteenth and twentieth century also pushed concepts into modernism. The architectural philosophies and beliefs developed a different structure to assist with specific needs for urban planning. The basis of this was the growth of high – rises. This was used specifically for urban planning and for the growing population in the cities. This infrastructure was combined with newer developments that offered newer concepts for the twentieth century and modern period. This ranged from modernism to practical approaches and a movement into embracing the culture of the city. Creating these developments then provided more alternatives for the architectural development and the push into modernist buildings. References Bressani, Martin. “The Spectacle of the City of Paris from 25bis rue Franklin.” Assemblage no 12 (1990): 84 – 107. Filion, Pierre, Karen Hammond. “Neighborhood Land Use and Performance: The Evolution of Neighborhood Morphology over the 20th Century.” Environment and Planning 30 (2), 2003. 271-296. Silver, Nathan. Lost New York. (Houghton Mifflin: New York, 2000). Tigerman, Stanley. “Mies van der Rohe: A Moral Modernist Model.” Perspecta (22) Paradigms of Architecture (1986) 112-135. Appendix A Appendix B: Majestic Apartments Appendix C: Rue Franklin Apartments Exhibition Development in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries was based on a change of planning and implementation within various structures. This time frame was known for the development and growth of cities and urban areas. Movement into the cities began to occur with larger populations that were interested in industrial work. This was combined with a new culture which began to emerge in the city and which provided new components that were used for the developing city. To help with the development, architectural structures were created to help with the accents of the city while providing practical lifestyle solutions for those that were moving into the city. The ability to create the right approach to each of these buildings then led to new alternatives in the development of the city. The first approach which architects began to use was from the movement of the short buildings to the high – rises. This became a well – known concept in every region of the world. When looking at high – rise structures, such as the Majestic Apartments, Lake Shore Drive Apartments and Rue Franklin Apartments, it can be seen that this turned into a viable solution for architects. The ability to expand land with short houses was known to take too much room and development, meaning it wasn’t able to provide constructive solutions. However, the use of the high – rise allowed an unique infrastructure for those interested in the new architecture. This allowed the population to have a space that was similar to a home; however, it fit into the limited space that was associated with urban development. The result was the ability to construct modern looks and feels that moved outside of the traditional means for better urban planning and development. The second aspect which is seen in all three of the apartments is with the infrastructure and framework with each. As can be seen, all of the buildings are located in a space where the city or a natural space can be seen. This is combined with open structures, such as larger windows or balconies that one can enjoy. These views were designed specifically with the growth of the city into a space for art and development. The window frameworks differ according to the style. For instance, the Lake Shore Drive Apartments use the Bauhaus style, which includes a symmetrical framework and mathematical look calculated to overlook the lake and city. The Rue Franklin Apartments use a balcony shape that is designed to overlook the city as a main landmark. These different frameworks differed according to the philosophy of the architects; however, there are similarities in being able to overlook the city as a highlight to the structures. The third concept that is associated with the urban development and planning is based on creating character to the architecture that is representative of the city culture. This is seen most in the Majestic Apartments. This has an art deco style and is combined with an arch at the top to create the right appearance within the city. The city of New York was able to take this concept and to create an artistic landscape with urban development that was occurring. Instead of having basic structures, initiatives began to have artistic frameworks for each center of the city. The development of ornamentation on the external structure of the buildings was associated with this. The overall framework of the buildings further combined with this to create a different city landscape that could continue to develop. Heightening this particular concept then led into even more continuation with city development. Instead of building industrial based concepts, there was an association with understanding that urban areas would continue to expand. To create this into a culture and different highlight, there was the need to expand the city landscape with the use of artwork associated with each of the regions. When looking at urban planning and development today, it is seen that the landscape of the city is based on the art, architecture and ability to see the city’s beauty. This came directly from the artistic associations with each of the buildings. The different concepts used with architecture and development during the nineteenth and twentieth century were based on creating different components as a part of the environment. The concepts which the architects used were based on changing the understanding of urban planning and development. This created a different set of philosophies based on changing the urban landscape. Culture, creating specialized looks to the city and having practical options for the growth of the city were the basis of each of the architects used. This was combined with building a new environment to the city that related to the building of the city landscape and the movement to cities with a larger population that relied on practical solutions for development. References Bressani, Martin. “The Spectacle of the City of Paris from 25bis rue Franklin.” Assemblage no 12 (1990): 84 – 107. Filion, Pierre, Karen Hammond. “Neighborhood Land Use and Performance: The Evolution of Neighborhood Morphology over the 20th Century.” Environment and Planning 30 (2), 2003. 271-296. Silver, Nathan. Lost New York. (Houghton Mifflin: New York, 2000). Tigerman, Stanley. “Mies van der Rohe: A Moral Modernist Model.” Perspecta (22) Paradigms of Architecture (1986) 112-135. Read More