Art Nouveau + Architecture

Context & materials

• influenced by Industrial Revolution (mass production of materials, country → city = new buildings)

• materials: steel, iron, glass

Eiffel Tower

• by Gustave Eiffel

• latticework of iron / arches = stability

• triangular girders = distributes stress

• starts competition for tallest tower

• mixed opinions

Revivalism + Example

Use new materials to revive elements of past architectural styles for credibility

ex: Brooklyn Bridge

• twisted wire cable replace chain for strength & height

• Gothic revival (pointed arches)

Art Nouveau

• new materials (steel, concrete, glass, etc.)

• looks handmade (NOT factory manufactured)

• other forms of art (posters, jewelry, wallpaper, lamps)

• related to nature

• flowy, curvy, organic lines filled with energy

• non-modern, non-industrial!!!!

Example of Art Nouveau

Tiffany Lamps

• colored glass

• flowers drip down…nature, organic

Who are the Art Nouveau architects?

Antonio Gaudi & Frank Lloyd Wright

Antonio Gaudi style + example

• THE PASSENGER DUDE

• symbolism & revivalism

• playful & curvy

• ex: Casa Milà apartments

  • connected w/ nature (organic, flowy curves, irregular)

  • ooze !

  • symbolism - straight lines = human & machines, curves = God & nature)

  • roof = play area

  • revivalism - Islam revival, ceramics

Why is Mr. Wright important?

First American in the arts to be embraced by Europe

Frank Lloyd Wright style

• organic architecture (buildings that echo the landscape they’re in)

• use new materials

Examples of Frank Lloyd Wright

• Robie House (horizontals, Japan inspo. (asymmetrical & ext. int.), ribbon windows)

• Fallingwater / Kaufman House (echos location, cantilevers)

• Guggenheim (inspo. design from nature, shell)