CONTENTS Task 2: The Pre-Raphaelites Pages 3-4
Task 1: What is Modernism? Pages 1-2
Task 5: Manifesto and the Avant Garde Pages 9-10
Task 3: Bauhaus Pages 5-6
Postmodernism Pages 19-20 Task 7: Health, Body, Culture Pages 13-14
Task 4: Le Corbusier, 1887-1965 Pages 7-8
Task 6: How to write an academic essay Pages 11-12
Task 8: Essay Planning Pages 15-18
Bibliography Pages 21-22
WHAT IS MODERNISM? DEFINING MODERNISM
MODERNISM IN ARCHITECTURE
Modernism is the creation of form through particular ideologies. It can be interpreted as an attempt to escape the natural world and is a shift in context. Therefore, modernism has a huge impact on architecture. The origins of modernism are determined by technology and design language.
The Pre Raphaelites (1848) represented religion through highly realistic holy figures on stained glass. This stained glass was designed by Edward Burne-Jones in St Phillips Cathedral. Modernism is portrayed throughout this building by the advanced technology used to make elements of this building. For example, the stained glass windows required a high level of skill and accuracy to make.
Trying to define Modernism has been an issue over the 20th Century as everyone’s view of modernism is different. Therefore the question of “what is Modernism?” can have many answers and is subjective in the sense that it is influenced by personal beliefs.
Edward Burne-Jones also designed the windows in The Red House, which also show holy figures in order to represent religion.
Antonio Gaudi (1852-1926) is an architect well known today for his famous building Sagrada Familia which is located in Barcelona. He was passionate about medieval Gothic and Moorish architecture. Gaudi’s fundamental belief was that “The straight line of Man, the curve is the line of God” which influenced the design of the Sagrada Familia (1914). When designing this building, Gaudi followed Gothic forms, however looked at nature itself and integrating this within the building structure. For example, he tried to make the pillars and supports look like trees (Verlag 2010, p. 49). I visited this building in 2013 and I found this building fascinating as I was intrigued as soon as I entered the building by the use of different shapes, textures and colours used inside the space.
Alvar Aalto (1898-1976) is a key architect who designed his first house for his parents in Finland. Aalto was heavily influenced by Neo- Classicism. He designed the Tuberculosis sanatorium in Paimio, Finland (1930). This design is modern through the use of modern materiality such as reinforced concrete and flat roofs which the four different parts of the rationalism of Le Corbusier, however are organically joined together around the entrance of the building. The interior design of the sanatorium regarding the door handles, lamps, cupboards and chairs were based on Aalto’s designs. Each specific detail in these designs were intended to help with the relaxation and convalescence of the patients. (Verlag 2010, p. 81)
Ludwig Miles Van Der Rohe (1929) is a key influential architect who designed buildings with the idea of “Less is more” (Kupier, K). This is demonstrated through his design of the Barcelona Pavilion which is simplistic but modern. The building is defined by its elegant and functional design, with the use of simple colours: whites, creams, chrome and black (Kupier, K).
Frank Lloyd Wright (19361939) is another key architect influencing the design of modern architecture. One of his most inspiring buildings is Falling Water, which was built in Pennsylvania, USA. Falling Water features dramatic, jutting balconies and big expanses of glass. The ways in which the stone walls and concrete balconies emerge from the woodland setting and appear floating above the mountain stream, creates as unique relationship between architecture nd the surrounding site. The cantilevered balconies were the most challenging element of this design as the weight had to be considered. Wright called this link between the interior and the exterior of the house “organic architecture” in the sense that the house itself appears to form part of the waterfall and woodland. (Wilkinson 2012, p. 202)
Figure 2: Ludwig Miles Van Der Rohe, 1929, Barcelona Pavilion.
St Phillips Cathedral, Edward Burne-Jones stained glass windows. Pictures I took from when I visited, showing the exterior, interior and fine imprint on the doors of the building. 1
Figure 1: Exterior and interior of Tuberculosis sanatorium.
Figure 3: Exterior and interior or Falling Water. 2
THE PRE-RAPHAELITES PRE-RAPHAELITES COLLECTION During 1848 in London the Pre-Raphaelites were discovered as a secret society of young artists. They believed in art with high realism and were inspired by theories from John Ruskin who believed in artists looking at nature. The Pre-Raphaelites’ themes were religious at start but then explored their art through the use of literature and poetry, mainly subjects that dealt with love, death and modern social problems (Tate). The Pre-Raphaelites are distinctively different to the utilitarian ethos which formed a dominant ideology during the mid-century. Their work uses elements of the 19th century, focusing on creating realism due to the attention of detail and close observation of the natural world. (Dinah, R.)
BURNE-JONE’S STAINED GLASS WINDOWS Burne-Jone’s stained glass windows are present in the St Phillips Cathedral in Birmingham. The windows show Burne-Jone’s refined skill and the fine craftsmanship of William Morris & Co. The windows are appreciated for their vibrance, realism of the figures and their ability to portray a story. The windows are hugely inspiring for artists and Christians due to the substancial qualities (Birminghamcathedral.com).
These are some photographs and sketches which I have taken of the Burne-Jone’s stained glass windows at the St Phillip’s Cathedral.
These are some images which I collected from the Birmingham City Art gallery, Pre-Raphaelite Collection.
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BAUHAUS WALTER GROPIUS AND THE BAUHAUS MOVEMENT
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Figure 4: Walter Gropius.
Figure 5: Bauhaus by Piet Mondrian.
Figure 6: Artwork by De Stijl.
Figure 7: Furniture by Gerrit Rietveld incorporating Bauhaus.
Figure 8: Schroder House, Gerrit Rietveld, 1924, Netherlands.
Figure 9: Contemporary building which manifests Bauhaus.
Bauhaus was a German art school from 1919-1933, which combined crafts anf fine art. Walter Gropius used the Bauhaus style to combine beauty and simplicity, utility and mass production. The Bauhaus style was characterised by geometry of form, and design which took into account the nature of the materials used (Encyclopedia. com, 2017).
The designer of this pieces is Piet Mondrian Bauhaus and the name is called: Composition with yellow, blue, and red. I like this piece because it shows modernism through a basic design which uses simple shapes such as squares and rectangles to create an effective pattern. I also like the use of simple bold colours used in this Bauhaus design as they create an abstract design. This piece manifests Bauhaus’ ethos as it unites creativity and manufacturing during the 19th century through the use of maths squares (Bohaglass.co.uk, 2017).
The designer of this piece of artwork is De Stijl. The name of this piece is called: Composition with yellow, blue, and red, 193742. I like this piece because it shows modernism with a simple pattern which is less bold than the design by Mondrian. This design is more overpowered by the lines from the shapes rather than the colours, and the colour blocks are more spaced out which makes the piece more minimalistic. This piece manifests Bauhaus’ ethos as it adapts the original design which uses these simple colours: yellow, red, blue and black, in order to create modernism (Flask, 2017).
The designer for this piece of furniture is Gerrit Rietveld. Then name of this piece is called: Red and Blue Chair, 1917. I like this chair as it uses simple shapes such as squares and rectangles in order to create a functional chair. The use of bold colours makes the chair look more abstract. For example, the colour yellow which is used on the ends contrasts effectively with the red colour on the back of the chair. This piece manifests Bauhaus’ ethos as it uses the same basic colours as Bauhaus’ designs: yellow, red, blue and black, in order to create an effective piece of furniture. This choice of colours has shown modernism through the ways in which the colours are simplistic and can be used on a universal scale for designs of many forms.
The designer for this building is Gerrit Rietveld. The name of this building is: The Rietveld Schroder House. I like this building because it uses basic shapes such as squares and rectangles in order to portray a modern image of the house. The shapes used help to make the house look more open and bigger, helping to allow more light in by simple large, square-shaped windows. This building manifests the Bauhaus’ ethos as it uses the Bauhaus style of shape and form in order to create a modern house. The use of simple colours similar to the Bauhaus style: yellow, red, black and blue, is used which is reflected in this design.
This contemporary building appears to manifest the same values as Bauhaus due to its appearance and design. Its design is composed of simple geometric structures such as squares and rectangles which form a unique overall shape that makes the building’s appearance more attractive overall. This design can be said to be inspired by Bauhaus due to the use of simple geometric shapes. This building is a contemporary form of Bauhaus as it adapts the style in order to create a modern design. For example, this piece uses large windows which allow more daylight in during the day; however each window is made up of many smaller pieces of glass which are in the form of simple geometric shapes. This is another element of the building which appears to be inspired by Bauhaus (Architectweekly.com, 2017).
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LE CORBUSIER, 1887-1965 LE CORBUSIER AND KEY EVENTS
LE CORBUSIER’S FIVE UNITE D’HABITATION POINTS OF ARCHITECTURE HOSUING ESTATE, 1947-52
NOTRE DAME DU HAUT, 1954
CHANDIGARH, PALACE OF ASSEMBLY, 1951-56
Figure 15: Chandigarh, Palace of Assembly floor plan, not to scale.
Figure 10: Le Corbusier and timeline. Le Corbusier is a key architect who contributed towards the field of Modernism in the history of Modern Architecture. His key buildings are Unite d’Habitation (1947-52), Chandigarh (1951-56) and Notre Dame du Haut (1954). He started his early career by working alongside Peter Behrens on the urban planning of houses and then designed his own house in Paris (Verlag, P. 2010). 7
Figure 11: Five key points of Architecture by Le Corbusier.
Figure 12: Unite d’Habitation housing estate in Marseille.
Figure 13: Notre Dame du Haut, pilgrimage church in Ronchamp.
Figure 14: Palace of Assembly, location and surrounding nature.
Le Corbusier five key points towards a new architecture (1927) are mandatory elements which modern buildings should incorporate in order to provide good conditions inside for inhabitants.These key points influenced his designs and are shown in the design of his buildings.
History of the building: Unite d’Habitation is located in Marseille, France and was constructed in 1952. At the time this building was built, the idea was to make it quick and low cost. This housing estate was built to fit the needs of a high demands for housing after World War 2, and contains 337 apartments arranged over 12 floors. The building was built as a resident housing for families who didn’t have shelter after there were bombings in France (Frearson, A. (2018).
History of the building: Notre Dame du Haut is a pilgrimage church in Ronchamp, built during 1954. It was named this in dedication to the Holy Lady built in the 4th century. During 1859 an extension was built to the chapel with a gothic theme. In 1913, a fire partially damaged the chapel which led to reconstruction in 1926. The chapel was then bombed in 1944 during World War 2 which resulted in heavy damage. The chapel was completed in 1954 (Winston, A. 2018).
History of the building: The Capitol Complex including the Palace of Assembly is one of three buildings built in the 1950s which stood as a symbol of the upcoming modern India. This building emerged when India became independant from the British Empire in 1947. Chandigarh was designed as part of an urban planning scheme (ArchDaily. 2018).
Link to Le Corbusier’s five key points: Pilotis- columns are used to support the ground level, to allow the building to connect with features such as gardens and allows space for circulation underneath. Roof terrace- a new level of ground in the air. The garden is elevated to the structure allowing a communal area.
Link to Le Corbusier’s five key points: Pilotis- in this design, a grid of reinforced concrete columns is used in order to provide a framework for the building. Key materials used for the exterior of this building were concrete and stone.
The five key points of Architecture include: 1). Pilotis- the use of a reinforced concrete columns grid to replace supporting walls. 2). Roof garden- a flat roof which protects the concrete roof whilst being used for another function. 3). Free plan- no supporting walls allows unrestricted internal use. 4). Horizontal strip windowallows right amount of light to enter the room. 5). Free facade- separates exterior of the building from its structural function.
Figure 16: Chandigarh, Palace of Assembly interior. Materials & construction: Reinforced concrete is a key material used to build the framework of the Palace of Assembly. A key element is the desire for view which influences the construction of the building.
Link to Le Corbusier’s five key points: Planning of the building: 1). Pilotis or structural supports. The main assembly hall has a square plan, whilst the assembly 2). Freeform facade. 3). The surrounds and location of chamber is in the form of a hyperbolic shell surrounded by a the building. ceremonial space. Good acoustics 4). The influence of nature. is ensured by the circular form of 5). Freeform interior is not the hall. There are also various side hindered by structure. entrances to enter the great hall. Function: The Palace of Assembly was built as a campital building after the independance of India in Chandigarh. It is now not in use and is a UNESCO heritage site.
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MANIFESTO AND THE AVANT GARDE DISCUSSION POINTS FROM LECTURE: AVANT GARDE The European Avant Garde, 1910-1930, is a movement in Architecture which explores art using technology, as art was seen as a vehicle of progress and stage of self-criticism. The work of movements in Architecture such as: expressionism, neoplasticism, cubism and futurism have been characterised in this way.
SHOULD ART AND ARCHITECTURE RESPOND TO POLITICS? On the one hand I believe that art and architecture can and should respond to politics. This is because art is a universal language therefore it can be successful in representing this polictical ideology. Also abstraction was believed as reality, hence abstract art can be use to represent daily events which require attention. On the other hand it can be argued that art and architecture can’t and shouldn’t be used to respond to politics, because architecture should only focus on its function which is to provide a space for a particular use.
HOW HAS POLITICS SHAPED ART? Figure 17: Neoplasticism manifesto.
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- Posters and propaganda were made in response to politics in order to influence people in different directions in terms of their views. - Russain Revolution led to propaganda posters. - Constructivism led to propaganda posters. - Abstract showed realism.
CURRENT POLITICAL SITUATIONS GLOBALLY WHICH ARCHITECTS MAY RESPOND TO, AND ACTION POINTS: - Bombings destroy buildings. This could lead to architects having to redesign or rethink of the structures and materials used to make buildings which are likely to be a target. - Terrorism, affects environment and society. This would lead to help or temporary refugee camps for people to live in who’s homes were destroyed. - Brexit. - Grenfell Tower fire, questions regulations. This could lead to materiality of towers being reconsidered, new temporary homes provided for those who were affected by the incidence. Currently there are debates happening which discuss what caused the fire to spread so quickly, whether it was the use of cladding or the regulations of such high-rise towers. For example, there were no sprinklers in the building which could have allowed more time for people to escape.
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HOW TO WRITE AN ACADEMIC ESSAY HOW TO REFERENCE IN AN ACADEMIC ESSAY
EXAMPLES OF REFERENCES: BOOKS
Wilkinson, P. (2012) Great buildings the world’s architectural masterpieces explored and explained. London: Pearson Karskens, G 1997, The Rocks: life in early Sydney, Melbourne University Press, Carlton. Ward, R 1966, The Australian legend, 2nd edn, Oxford University Press, Melbourne.
WEBSITES
Tate. (2017). Pre-Raphaelite – Art Term | Tate. [online] Available at: http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artterms/p/pre-raphaelite [accessed on 01/10/2017]. Dinah, R. (2014) https://www.bl.uk/romantics-and-victorians/articles/the-pre-raphaelites [accessed on 01/10/2017]. Birminghamcathedral.com. (2017). Windows - Birmingham Cathedral. [online] Available at: http://www.birminghamcathedral.com/windows/ [accessed on 01/10/2017].
From doing this task, it has helped to improve my understanding of how to reference a source fully using the Harvard style referencing system. References are important as they allow a reader to access the source which you have got the information from. By referencing a piece of work it avoids the work being accused of plagarism. Through this task I have learnt how to reference from different sources, for example from: books, websites, journal articles, films, and how to include an in-text citation so that the reader can easily identify which source is being referred to.
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HEALTH, BODY, CULTURE
This mindmap explores the different topics discussed in the READER on Health, Body and Culture. I then designed a poster based on key ideas from this. In my poster I used an image of the Tuberculosis Sanatorium designed by Alvar Aalto as the background image in order to show that Tuberculosis was a major health problem during the 1920s-1930s. I then used the image of the lady doing gymnastics to portray the importance of sports to help keep the body fit, which was another key topic discussed in the READER booklet.
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ESSAY PLANNING WORKSHEET 2
a) Write down in your own words what you think the assignment is asking you to do. The assignment is asking me to explore the key features of Postmodernism and to identify the key factors whithin Modernism which led to its emergence. Throughout the essay, I should refer to relevant architects and their key work which was involved in this movement b) What do you already know about the subject matter of the essay? I already know that Postmodernism is the movement after high modernism, so from the mid to late 10th century. Key architects involved during this movement are Frank Lloyd Wright who was mainly in the USA and Le Corbusier, who was predominantly in France. In my essay I would focus on drawing parallels and comparing these two key architects as their work is a key contribution towards the movement of Postmodernism. c) What background information do you need to help you to complete this essay? I would need background information on what Postmodernism is, why it is key and how it differs from modernism. I would also need information on key features within Postmodernism, factors within Modernism which led to the emergence of Postmodernism and relevant key architects who influenced this movement at the time. d) How do you think this essay differs from or is similar to other assignments that you are working on at the moment? This essay differs from my other assignments which I am working on in the sense that this task is more of a written task and is less graphical. The process of finding relevant information from sources and referencing is similar to when I had to gather information about the Library of Birmingham for Environmental Design Strategies. However this task differs to the design principles module as there is more analysis involved in terms of understanding the context and being able to apply this to specific architectural movements.
MINDMAP TASK
Explain what Postmodernism is and how it differs to Modernism, time era.
MINDMAP TEMPLATE Argument: Key features which are common throughout Postmodernism.
Evidence: Use images alongside, annotate common features, eg. Quotation architecture
Analysis: Why these features are keyhelp to distinguish Postmodernism separate from Modernism.
Argument: Outline factors which led to emergence of Postmodernism, without these Postmodernism would not be distinct from Modernism. Evidence: Refer to relevant architects which helped to influence these factors towards this movement.
Analysis: Explain why each factor is important and emphasise why the architect is important in this movement.
Explain why Postmodernism is an important movement in History of Architecture.
Briefly state what will be discussed in the essay.
Introduction
Paragraph No. 1
Paragraph No. 3 Topic: Key architects in this movement
Topic: Key features of Postmodernism
Title: Q1: Describe the key features of Postmodernism and factors within Modernism.
Paragraph No. 2
Argument: Outline Frank Lloyd Wright and Le Corbusier and their work. Evidence: Use examples of their work which helped to influence the movement towards Postmodernism. Analysis: Draw parallels between the two architects and explain their importance on Postmodernism. Argument: Outline the context of Postmodernism.
Paragraph No. 4
Topic: Factors in Modernism that led to Postmodernism__ _____
Conclusion
Outcomes of Postmodernism movement- distinct from Modernism.
Topic: Context of Postmodernism
Ways in which Postmodernism is used in buildings today.
Evidence: Use examples of Postmodernism within different contexts.
Analysis: Explain importance of context Postmodernism developed in. Different contexts have different influences.
Recap the key features of Postmodernism.
By doing this mindmap task, it has helped me to plan out the different sections which my essay will include and therefore help to provide more of a structure to my essay by using the PEA structure.
e) How are you going to choose your reading material? I will start of by using the suggested reading materials on the essay brief and make a photocopy of all the relevant pages which I may need for my essay. I will then search online for any relevant websites, and I will use the library to search for relevant books on Postmodernism. f) As you begin to read for your assignment, try to read and take notes with the essay in mind. As I read through my reading materials, I will highlight any key information or use post-it notes on key pages. I will also make notes alongside so that I can quickly remember what a specific part of a text said.
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ESSAY PLANNING Five Paragraph Essay
ESSAY POSTER PLAN
Main “response” to question, introductory idea and flagging up topics to be covered Throughout this essay I will focus on Postmodernism and its key features. I will also focus on identifying the key factors within Modernism which led to the emergence of Postmodernism and how influences from key architects have been involved in this process. When analysing the architect’s work, I will focus on describing how the context within which their building was designed has helped to influence the movement towards Postmodernism. Key topics to focus on in my essay are: what is Postmodernism, key features, factors which led to emergence and key innfluential architects during that era.
Topic 1
Topic 2
Topic 3
Introduce – Proof – Discussion – Point
Introduce – Proof – Discussion - Point
Introduce – Proof – Discussion – Point
Postmodernism of key features which identifies this style of architecture as different and unique from other forms or architecture such as Modern architecture. Such key features include: complexitiy and contradiction, oblique forms, colour and fragmentation. For example, fragmentation is used in the Wexner Centre by Peter Eisenman. The use of such features helps to personify Postmodernism.
Key architects who influenced this movement were: Frank Lloyd Wright, Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe, Le Corbusier, Oscar Niemeyer and Alvar Aalto. For example, Falling Water by Franky Lloyd Wright focused on designing structures which created harmony with humanity and the environment. Such design developments have helped towards the movement for Postmodernism.
There are several key factors within Modernism which led to the emergence of Postmodernism. For instance, World War 2, and the revolution of science and technology since the 1950s. Such factors play a key role in the emergence of Postmodernism. For example, advances in internet has led to architects being able to share their ideas.
Re-state main arguments and points Key features of Postmodernism, examples of buildings which personify these features which has helped to make Postmodernism become a distinct style of architecture.
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Refer to key architects who helped to influence this movement towards Postmodernism.
Key factors within Modernism which led to the development of Postmodernism and explain their importance.
By doing this task, it has helped me to focus on the key topics which I will include in my essay and it has helped to understand how to link my points back to the essay question. 17
ESSAY QUESTION: Postmodernism is on of the more challenging and controversial movements in Architecture in contemporary history. Describe its key features and identify the factors within Modernism that led to its emergence. Identify at least one key building which peronsifies Postmodernism’s key features, describe the context within which this building has been designed. INTRODUCTION:
CONTEXT:
MAIN BODY:
- Overview of what Postmod-
-The main social factors around
1). Describe key features of Postmodernism use an annotated illustration to help this description. Explain importance of these key features and how they helped the emergence of Postmodernism. 2). Outline factors which led to the emergence of Postmodernism from Modernism and explain their importance. 3). Refer to relevant architects and their buildings which show key characteristics of Postmodernism, and relate this back to how their buildings influenced the development of Postmodernism. Focus on how their buildings personify the key features of Postmodernism. 4). Explain the importance of the context of Postmodernism. The area in which different buildings were built would influence whether or not they personify the key features. Link this back to how Postmodernism is a challenging movement in Architecture in contemporary history.
ernism is and how it is a distinct style of Architecture developed from Modernism. - Introduce the time and era which Postmodernism emerged in, so from the mid- to late 20th century the development of Postmodernism occurred. - Briefly introduce what the essay will cover: key features of Postmodernism, factors which led to the emegence, buildings which personify features of Postmodernism and any relevant architects who had a key role in influencing the development towards Postmodernism.
KEY SECTIONS TO INCLUDE IN ESSAY STRUCTURE: - Information about Postmodernism. - Key features (characteristics) of Postmodernism. - Factors within Modernism which led to the emergence of Postmodernism. - Relevant architects and buildings which personify the key features of Postmodernism.
the 20th century involved political implications. For instance it was hard for most people to imagine collective action, social movements and change towards a specific goal. - Economic factors - Historical factors - Cultural factors
ILLUSTRATIONS:
Figure 18: Vanna Venturi House, Robert Venturi, 1964.
BOOKS FOR BIBLIOGRAPHY: CURTIS, W. (1996) Modern Architecture since 1900, (3rd ed. ) London, Phaidon Chapter 32 Pluralism in the 1970s FRAMPTON,K (1992) Modern Architecture – a Critical History.(3rd ed)London, Thames & Husdon pp.291-293 and pp.305-311 JENCKS, C. 2002, The new paradigm in architecture: the language of post-modernism, Yale University Press, New Haven, [Conn.];London
CONCLUSION: - Recap on the key features of Postmodernism and how this has led to the movement of Postmodernism. - Compare/apply to the ways in which Postmodernism is used in buildings today. 18
POSTMODERNISM WHAT IS POSTMODERNISM? POSTMODERNISM IN ARCHITECTURE Postmodern Architecture is a movement in the history of Architecture which emerged from Modernism. Postmodernism occurred during the mid to late 20th Century. This style of Architecture reacts against the formality and simplicity which is associated with Modern Architecture. Key architects who influenced the movement of Postmodernism in Architecture are: Robert Venturi, Michael Graves, Frank Gehry, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Philip Johnson. Dubai is a key city in which Postmodern Architecture is present today. For Postmodernism: - Recognises complexity. - Postmodern Architecture is still alive today in well built cities. For example, Las Vegas is well known for the vibrant buildings which are of Postmodernism. - Adds life and humour to a building. Against Postmodernism: - Some can argue that Postmodernism is child-like, for example like the Neue Staatsgalerie. - It’s too much, the simple Modern style is better and less confusing.
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Key features which distingusih Postmodern Architecture from Modern Architecture include: - Complexity. - Ornament. - Colour. - Humour. - Form follows function. - Materials: glass, steel, concrete.
Figure 19: Vanna Venturi House, Robert Venturi, 1964.
Figure 20: Piazza d’Italia, Charles Moore, 1978.
Figure 21: Guggenheim Bilbao Museum, Frank Gehry, 1997.
Robert Venturi (1925) is a key architect who originally initiated the development of Postmodernism. He challenged Mies van der Rohe’s theory of “less is more” and introduced the concept of “less is a bore” (Glancey, J, 2000, pg. 198). This led to the opening for Postmodernism and encouraged the use of complexity in designs in order to overcome this idea of “less is more”. This concept was introduced in his book Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture, 1966, which challenged the Modern style. In 1964 Venturi designed the Vanna Ventui house located in Philadelphia for his mother. This house personifies the key features of Postmodernism due to the facade created by the tall chimneys.
Charles Moore (1925-93) designed the Piazza d’Italia for the Italian community of New Orleans (Glancey, J, 2000, pg. 75). It personifies the key features of Postmodernism, whilst emphasising the ironic features, for example, the metallic capitals of the Corinthian and Doric columns (Glancey, J, 2000, pg. 75). Overall, the Piazza d’Italia adopts a humorous approach to Postmodernism. This was an area used to celebrate the festivals of Italian culture. After this building was built, it led to the spread of pictoral classicism in America (Curtis, W, 1982, pg. 603). Therefore Moore’s design had a huge impact on the development of Postmodernism, as it led to further designs in America which used strong elements of Postmodern design.
Frank Gehry (1929-2008) designed the Guggenheim Bilbao Museum in Spain during 1997. This is another building which personifies the key features of Postmodernism, mainly complexity due to the detail in the curved shapes on the exterior. Gehry used shapes which contrasted with traditional values of form by introducing fragmented geometry, cantered spaces, slits, folds and distortions (Kuhl, I, 2010, pg. 109). Furthermore, the materiality of the exterior of the Guggenheim consists of steel and glass which are key materials used in Postmodern designs. This is a significant building in Spain as it transformed Bilbao into a tourist attraction.
Photos taken at Centre Pompidou Malaga in December 2017. After looking at well known examples of Postmodern Architecture, I visited the Centre Pompidou Malaga, designed by Javier Pérez De La Fuente, Juan Antonio Marín Malavé, which opened on the 28th March in 2015, located in Puerto de Málaga, Spain. This building manifests Postmodernism due to its exterior appearance because it incorporates the key features expressed by Postmodern Architecture. The key features of Postmodernism shown in this building are shown through the use of the material glass for the exterior, which is a key material used in Postmodern buildings. Another feature of Postmodernism portrayed in this design, is complexity as the use of colours makes the facade appear complicated even though it consists of square panels. It can be said that the form follows the function of this building. This is because the design of the building goes underground to serve the purpose of the building to be used as a museum. I found it interesting how the abstract building stands out from the surrounding environment, which is constructed from Modern Architecture, a different style. I therefore feel this is an important building which personifies the key features of Postmodernism, introducing the Postmodern style into that environment.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY Pages 1-2:
Kupier, K. (2016) “Modernism, In the arts, a radical break with the past and the concurrent search for new forms of expression” https://issuu.com/williamweston9/docs/digital_booklet_pdf_ [accessed on 01/10/2017] Verlag, P. (2010) 50 Architects You Should Know. New York: Prestel Wilkinson, P. (2012) Great buildings the world’s architectural masterpieces explored and explained. London: Pearson
Pages 3-4:
Birminghamcathedral.com. (2017). Windows - Birmingham Cathedral. [online] Available at: http://www.birminghamcathedral. com/windows/ [accessed on 01/10/2017]. Dinah, R. (2014) https://www.bl.uk/romantics-and-victorians/articles/the-pre-raphaelites [accessed on 01/10/2017]. Tate. (2017). Pre-Raphaelite – Art Term | Tate. [online] Available at: http://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/p/pre-raphaelite [accessed on 01/10/2017].
Pages 5-6:
Architectweekly.com. (2017). Why was the Bauhaus Movement so Important for Modern Architecture?. [online] Available at: http://www.architectweekly.com/2012/12/why-was-bauhaus-style-so-important.html [Accessed 7Oct. 2017]. Bohaglass.co.uk. (2017). Bauhaus: An Everlasting Design Legacy. [online] Available at: https://www.bohaglass.co.uk/bauhaus-design-legacy/ [Accessed 7Oct. 2017]. Encyclopedia.com. (2017). Bauhaus facts, information, pictures | Encyclopedia.com articles about Bauhaus. [online] Available at: http://www.encyclopedia.com/literature-and-arts/art-and-architecture/european-art-1600-present/bauhaus [Accessed 7Oct. 2017]. Flask, D. (2017). De Stijl : Design Is History. [online] Designishistory.com. Available at: http://www.designishistory.com/1920/ de-stijl/ [Accessed 7Oct. 2017].
Pages 7-8:
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Images:
Figure 1: Divisare. (2018). Alvar Aalto, Federico Covre · Paimio Sanatorium. [online] Available at: https://divisare.com/projects/330364-alvar-aalto-federico-covre-paimio-sanatorium [Accessed 1 Jan. 2018]. Figure 2: Glancey, J. (2018). Why the ‘Barcelona’ Pavilion is a modernist classic. [online] Bbc.com. Available at: http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20130924-less-is-more-a-design-classic [Accessed 1 Jan. 2018]. Figure 3: Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. (2018). Fallingwater | Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. [online] Available at: http://franklloydwright.org/site/fallingwater/ [Accessed 1 Jan. 2018]. Figure 4: En.wikipedia.org. (2018). Walter Gropius. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Gropius [Accessed 1 Jan. 2018]. Figure 5: Pinterest. (2018). Art. [online] Available at: https://www.pinterest.se/pin/89016530112655464/ [Accessed 1 Jan. 2018]. Figure 6: Flask, D. (2018). De Stijl : Design Is History. [online] Designishistory.com. Available at: http://www.designishistory.com/1920/ de-stijl/ [Accessed 1 Jan. 2018]. Figure 7: Vntg.com. (2018). Red & Blue lounge chair by Gerrit Rietveld for Cassina, 1920s | #52423. [online] Available at: https://www. vntg.com/52423/red-and-blue-lounge-chair-by-gerrit-rietveld-for-cassina-1920s/ [Accessed 1 Jan. 2018]. Figure 8: ArchiTravel. (2018). The Schroder House | ArchiTravel. [online] Available at: http://www.architravel.com/architravel/building/ the-schroder-house/ [Accessed 1 Jan. 2018]. Figure 9: Architectweekly.com. (2017). Why was the Bauhaus Movement so Important for Modern Architecture?. [online] Available at: http://www.architectweekly.com/2012/12/why-was-bauhaus-style-so-important.html [Accessed 7Oct. 2017]. Figure 10: Verlag, P. (2010) 50 Architects You Should Know. New York: Prestel, Page 71 Figure 11: Pinterest. (2018). LE CORBUSIER. [online] Available at: https://www.pinterest.cl/pin/507499451744172996/ [Accessed 2 Jan. 2018]. Figure 12: Pinterest. (2018). Le Corbusier. [online] Available at: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/28288303886180849/ [Accessed 2 Jan. 2018]. Figure 13: Fondationlecorbusier.fr. (2018). Cite a Website - Cite This For Me. [online] Available at: http://www.fondationlecorbusier.fr/ corbuweb/morpheus.aspx?sysId=13&IrisObjectId=5147&sysLanguage=en-en&itemPos=3&itemCount=5&sysParentName=Home&sysParentId=11 [Accessed 2 Jan. 2018]. Figure 14: Hamilton, J. (2018). The Palace of Assembly, Chandigarh: Beautiful Collision of Art and Architecture. [online] Cindrebay Blog. Available at: http://www.cindrebay.com/blog/palace-assembly-chandigarh-beautiful-collision-art-architecture/ [Accessed 2 Jan. 2018]. Figure 15: ArchDaily. (2018). Gallery of Vietnamese National Assembly in Hanoi / gmp architekten - 11. [online] Available at: https://www. archdaily.com/622050/vietnamese-national-assembly-in-hanoi-gmp-architekten/55359d3fe58ece1c3d00009d-vietnamese-national-assembly-in-hanoi-gmp-architekten-floor-plan [Accessed 2 Jan. 2018]. Figure 16: Anon, (2018). [online] Available at: http://bgd8bgd.com/bgd.cgi?43&parameter=chandigarh+palace+of+assembly+interior&ur=1&HTTP_REFERER=http://digitaldashboardsuite.com/chandigarh-palace-of-assembly-interior/ [Accessed 2 Jan. 2018]. Figure 17: trendbeheer.com. (2018). De Stijl. [online] Available at: https://trendbeheer.com/2012/02/23/de-stijl/ [Accessed 2 Jan. 2018]. Figure 18: ArchDaily. (2018). AD Classics: Vanna Venturi House / Robert Venturi. [online] Available at: https://www.archdaily.com/62743/ ad-classics-vanna-venturi-house-robert-venturi [Accessed 2 Jan. 2018]. Figure 19: EYE ON DESIGN by Dan Gregory. (2018). Iconic House Design plus New Kirei Wood Paneling. [online] Available at: https:// houseplansllcblog.wordpress.com/2011/11/04/iconic-house-design-plus-new-kirei-wood-paneling/ [Accessed 2 Jan. 2018]. Figure 20: Neworleansonline.com. (2018). Piazza d’Italia | New Orleans | Attraction. [online] Available at: http://www.neworleansonline. com/directory/location.php?locationID=1344 [Accessed 2 Jan. 2018]. Figure 21: Encyclopedia Britannica. (2018). Guggenheim Museum Bilbao | museum, Bilbao, Spain. [online] Available at: https://www. britannica.com/topic/Guggenheim-Museum-Bilbao [Accessed 2 Jan. 2018].
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