Exam 2 Arch Histroy

International Style

Modernist architecture emphasizing volume over mass, minimal ornament, glass/steel construction, and functional design.

Rationalism

Design based on logic, function, and clarity of structure rather than decoration or emotion.

Stripped Classicism

Simplified classical architecture with traditional forms but little to no ornament.

Socialist Realism

State-sponsored style (mainly USSR) promoting idealized socialist values through monumental, often classical-inspired buildings.

Usonian

Affordable, modest homes designed for middle-class Americans; open plans, natural materials, strong connection to site.

Organic Architecture

Design philosophy where buildings harmonize with nature, site, and human needs.

Biorealism

Architecture inspired by biological forms and natural systems, often mimicking organic growth or structures.

Neo-Expressionism

Late modern style using dramatic, sculptural, emotional forms rather than strict functionalism

Latin American Modernism

Modernism adapted to climate, culture, and local materials of Latin America; often more expressive and regional.

Brutalism

Bold, raw architecture using exposed concrete (béton brut), heavy massing, and repetitive geometry.

Cantilever

A beam or structure projecting outward, supported only at one end.

Mullion

Vertical or horizontal structural element dividing window panes.

Textile Blocks

Decorative concrete blocks (often patterned) used as modular building units.

Cruciform

Cross-shaped plan or structure.

Book Match

Technique where materials (like stone/wood) are mirrored to create symmetrical patterns.

Curule Seat

Ancient Roman folding chair form; symbol of authority, often referenced in design.

Dendriform

Tree-like structural form with branching supports.

Qualities of Totalitarian Architecture

Monumental scale, symmetry, repetition, and use of classical elements to convey power and control.

Classical Architecture Characteristics

Symmetry, proportion, columns (Doric/Ionic/Corinthian), pediments, and formal order.

Universal Space

Open, flexible interior space with minimal structural interruption.

Evidence-Based Design (EBD)

Design decisions based on research and data (often used in healthcare environments).

Geodesic Dome

Spherical structure made of interconnected triangles for maximum strength and efficiency.

Ephemeralization

Doing more with less—maximizing efficiency while minimizing material use.

Dymaxion

Design concept focused on efficiency, sustainability, and innovative technology.

Tensegrity

Structure stabilized by a balance of tension and compression elements.

Spaceship Earth

Concept viewing Earth as a closed system with limited resources requiring careful management.

Dymaxion Chronofile

Extensive personal archive documenting life and ideas (associated with Buckminster Fuller).

Nubian Vault and Mud Building

Traditional earthen construction using mud bricks and curved vaults without formwork.

Vernacular

Architecture based on local materials, climate, and cultural traditions.

Wind Catcher

Tower structure that captures and directs wind for natural ventilation.

Mashrabiya

Decorative wooden screen that provides shade, airflow, and privacy.

Dome

Rounded roof structure distributing loads evenly.

Shell

Thin, curved structural surface that carries loads through its shape.

Tent

Lightweight, tensile structure typically supported by poles and fabric.

Thin-Shell Concrete

Very thin concrete structures shaped to carry loads efficiently through curvature.

Le Modulor

Proportional system based on human scale and the golden ratio.

Fibonacci Sequence

Number sequence where each number is the sum of the previous two; used for natural proportions.

Anthropomorphic

Design that resembles or is inspired by the human body.

Béton brut

Raw, unfinished concrete surface (key feature of Brutalism).

Superblocks (Superquadra)

Large urban residential blocks with integrated services and open space.

Hyperbolic Paraboloid (Hypar)

Curved surface formed by straight lines; strong and efficient structural form.

Paris World’s Fair 1937

• Major international exhibition in Paris showcasing modern technology and art.

• Reflected rising political tensions before World War II.

• Notable rivalry: Nazi Germany vs. Soviet Union pavilions placed directly opposite each other.

Congrès Internationaux d'Architecture Moderne (CIAM)

• Founded in 1928; active until 1959.

• Goal: promote modern architecture and functional urban planning.

• Advocated zoning cities by function (living, working, recreation, circulation).

• Strongly tied to ideas of Le Corbusier.

Modern Architecture: International Exhibition 1932

• Held at Museum of Modern Art in New York.

• Defined and popularized the International Style in the U.S.

• Promoted clean lines, no ornament, and industrial materials.

• Curated by Philip Johnson and Henry-Russell Hitchcock.

1929 Barcelona International Exposition

• Held in Barcelona.

• Showcased modern design and national identity.

• Famous for the Barcelona Pavilion by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.

EUR 1942

• Planned world’s fair in Rome under Benito Mussolini.

• Never completed due to WWII.

• Goal: promote Fascist ideology through monumental, classical-inspired architecture.

• Characterized by symmetry, scale, and stripped classicism.

Case Study House Program

• Ran from 1945–1966 in the U.S.

• Sponsored by Arts & Architecture Magazine.

• Goal: design affordable, modern homes using new materials (steel, glass).

• Key architects: Charles Eames, Ray Eames, Pierre Koenig.

• Influenced postwar suburban housing.

Usonian Homes

• Developed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

• Goal: affordable, well-designed homes for middle-class Americans.

• Features: open plans, natural materials, strong indoor-outdoor connection.

• Example: Jacobs House in Madison.

Radiant City vs. Broadacre City

Radiant City – Le Corbusier

• Dense, vertical city with high-rise towers.

• Strict zoning and efficiency.

• Emphasis on order, transportation, and centralized planning.

Broadacre City – Frank Lloyd Wright

• Decentralized, spread-out city.

• Each family has land (acre-based living).

• Focus on individual freedom, nature, and cars.

Team 10 (Break from CIAM, 1959)

• Group of younger architects who rejected CIAM’s rigid functionalism.

• Key figures: Alison Smithson, Peter Smithson.

• Focus: human-centered design, social relationships, and real urban life.

• Marked the shift toward more flexible, context-driven architecture

“Form and Function are One”

Frank Lloyd Wright

“The house is not a machine for living in”

Eileen Gray

“Do more with less”

Buckminster Fuller

“Less is more”

Mies van der Rohe

Brie-Soleil

Architectural sun-shading device that reduces heat and glare.