D.O.B -1886 - 1969 Modern architecture Revolutionized the use of steel and glass within architecture Career began in Europe leading the architectural avant-garde in the early 20s Apprenticeship between 1908 and 1911 After WW1 - founded the avant-garde magazine G (Gestaltung) 1923 - Dutch neo-plasticism and Russian suprematism Redefined the steel frame into a refined art form in conjunction with the abstraction of space with regards to severe classicism Trademark - Beginning with functional considerations of structure and materials, then to refine the detailing and expression of those materials until they transcended their technical origins to become a pure art of structure and space
Orientation Located on the bank of the Fox River in Plano, Illinois
Function A weekend retreat for a single woman, Dr. Edith Farnsworth.
Context
The idea of the structure was to express the idea of a ‘dwelling’ in its most simplest form
The composition of the house maintains a sense of boundary and uniqueness against the vegetative landscape
ď‚ž
Significance:
1.
Embodies a certain aesthetic culmination
2.
Fullest expression of modernist ideals that originated from Europe
3.
Structural and expressive ideas goes hand in hand
Structure - Outline
Single storey
Continuous glass walls
Steel columns
Raised 1.6m above the ground
Supported by I-Beams
Planar floors
Suspended stairways
Roof suspended on widely spaced steel columns
Exploded
View
Structure – Detailed The
structure itself consists of pre-cast concrete floor and roof slabs which is in turn supported by a steel skeleton frame of beams, girders and column The
façade is constructed of single floor to ceiling glass panes which is fastened to the frame by steel mullions Heat
is provided by means of radiant coils found within the concrete floor in conjunction with the natural cross ventilation which provides the cooling factor alongside the shade provided by the trees
Structure - Façade Constructed
of 6mm thick glass spanning approximately 3m from floor to ceiling channels and just over 3m wide Supported
by steel mullions which are built up of angles and bars
Structural Detail Legend A: Stanchion B: C Channel C: C- Channel D: I beam E: I- Beam F: Stub - column G: Foam glass insulation H: Pre-cast concrete I: Suspended metal lath & plaster ceiling J: Travertine floor slab K: Motar bed L: Floor coil for radiant floor heating system M: Lightweight concrete fill N: Pre- cast concrete slab
Roof Detail
Foam glass insulation
Pre-cast concrete channel slab
suspended metal lath & plaster ceiling
C-
Channel
Curtain
track
Floor Detail
Travertine floor slab
Mortar bed
Floor coil for radiant floor heating system
C- Channel
Lightweight concrete
fill
Pre- cast concrete slab
Section through terrace & porch
Travertine floor slab
Mortar bed
Lightweight
concrete fill Gravel
Pre-cast
concrete slab
Brass drain
Girder
I- beam
Plan Simply
put - two rectangular slabs floating above ground bracketed by steel columns Stairs
connect the ground to the 1.4x0.5m terrace slab which is connected to the23.5x8.8m main house slab The
upper level is set 1.6m above ground to be prevent water entering the house due to flooding of the Fox river
Flooding The Farnsworth House was constructed only 30.48 meters from the Fox River. Due to the possible occurrence of flooding, Mies Van Der Rohe elevated the house to a level he believed would be above the ‘once in a hundred year’ flood plane. Unfortunately, it has been recorded that waters from the flood have penetrated the house on six occasions since its construction, above the level of 1.6 meters that Mies Van Der Rohe estimated.
References Farnsworth House -www.farnsworthhouse.org/ http://www.columbia.edu/cu/gsapp/BT/GATEWAY/FARNSWTH/farnswth.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farnsworth_House