History of Architecture 2nd Exam

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe aka ‘Mies’

German American architect, influential architect known for the international style architecture. He was the Director of the Bauhaus School in Dessau from 1930-1933. Designed the Barcelona Pavilion, Farnsworth house, and crown hall

“Structure is Spiritual”, “Less is More”, “God is in the Details” said by?

Mies Van De Rohe

Lily Reich

German designer worked in furniture, exhibition, and textiles. Taught at the Bauhaus, head of the interior department. Artistic Partner to Mies. Co-designer of the Barcelona Pavilion

1929 International Exposition-Worlds Fair in Barcelona

The pavilion for the Universal exhibition was designed to represent the new Weimar Germany as Democratic, culturally progressive, prosperous, thoroughly pacifist, self-portrait through architecture, and a structure that should “give voice to a new era.”
considered a seminal example of the International style

It was part of the 1929 International Exposition-Worlds Fair in Barcelona

Barcelona Pavilion
Barcelona Spain
Mies and Reich, 1929

Barcelona Pavilion

No symmetry, frontality or central axis
raised on a podium of travertine
reflective surfaces veil the barriers between space
only 8 cruciform columns

cruciform

cross shaped columns, chrome plated

continuous space

inside and outside space to be connected and blurred boundaries between interior and exterior space

What were the primary materials of the Barcelona Pavilion

marble

glass

steel

water

book matching

matching two or more wood or stone surfaces, so that two adjoining surfaces mirror each other, it gives the impression of an opened book

Barcelona chair

designed by Mies and Reich
designed to provide seating for the King and Queen of Spain in Barcelona at the 1929 Worlds Fair
Inspired by the cruel seat in Ancient Rome

Made of steel and leather

curule seat

an ancient Rome seat upon which magistrates sat

Frank Lloyd Wright

American, architect, interior designer, writer and educator. Leader of the Prairie school (American arts and crafts) Proponent of organic architecture, developed concept of Usonian Home

“Form follows function-that has been misunderstood. Form and function should be one, joined in a spiritual union.”

Frank Lloyd Wright, 1908

Marion Mahony Griffin

One of the first licensed female architects in the world, MIT graduate, Wrights first employee, her renderings became a hallmark of the FLW brand, worked on the design of the city of Canberra, Australia

Organic architecture

a philosophy of architectural design, emerging in the early 20th century, aimed to bring nature principles in buildings which are in harmony with the world around. Building connects with nature. Characteristics of wavy lines and curved shapes suggesting natural forms. Central to Frank Lloyd Wright’s work

What was Wrights connection with Organic Architecture?

It took many different shapes and configurations
He also conveyed organic architecture as an ideal and a standard

Based on ‘organic’ forms in structure and appearance
not in pursuit of a “Style”

A reinterpretation of Natures principles

Wright’s Concrete “Textile” block

Wright developed a new building material using cement blocks

cast in place using molds patterned to produce a decorative effect

promising potential for affordable housing
outside and inside became ‘one’

Wright deisnged six textile blcok houses

custome design pattern for each house

What were the materials of the Textile Block?

Portland cement, sand, and decomposed granite

used steel reinforcement

shape squeezed by hand on site pressing mixture into machine molds

Ennis House

Los Angeles, CA

Frank Lloyd Wright,1924

Ennis House

Mayan revival characteristics used 27,000 textile blocks, sited on a hillside

made appearance in 80 Hollywood films

granite from the site was added to the mix

Congress International d’architecture Moderne (CIAM)

A series of 11 architecture and urban planning congress across Europe 1928-1959, Initiated by a group of European Moderna architects

early members of CIAM included Walter Gropius, Mies Van De Rohe, Le Corbusier and others

Meetings were designed to exchange ideas about modern design issues

Radiant City

Le Corbusier, 1922-1935
utopian urban vision by Le Corbusier

Propped high-rise residential towards surrounded by parks

separate residential business and industrial zones

connected by car excessive parkways

Boarcare City Project

Frank Lloyd Wright, 1934-1935

• Each U.S. family allocated 2 acres for gardens, farms, provide for themselves

• Connection to farming + land 

• Autonomy, independence, not collaborative

• sprawling , not dense fly between locations

Usonian Homes (1936-1959) Frank Lloyd Wright

• Wright developed a series of home he called ‘Usonian’

• “Usonia” for United State of North America

• Wrights aspired to create a distinctly American style that was affordable for the common people

• Responsive to the america landscape and not influence by Europe 

  • Designed to control costs

  • Low roofs and open living areas

  • Little ornamentation 

  • No attics

  • No basements

  • Open carports replaced garages 

  • Often l-shaped plans, living spaces facing south 

  • One level, single family

  • Kitchen incorporate into the living areas

  • Hearth

Jacobs House

Madison, WI 

Wright, Frank Lloyd Wrights

What is an example of a Usonian Home?

The Jacobs House

Kaufmann House aka Fallingwater

Mill Run, PA

Frank Floyd Wright, 1935-1939

Kaufmann House aka Falling water

• A retreat house designed by Wright in rural Pennsylvania

• Built partly over the waterfall of Bear Run

• Considered an example of Organic Architecture

• It’s south southwest site position over the waterfall

• It’s a 3 story stone tower, critical support for the structure 

• It is also 15’ cantilever

• Concrete cantilevered balconies

• Cantilevered roofs, used upside down T-shaped beams integrated into a monolithic concrete slab

• Combination of beams and parapets support the structure

What is the interior of the Kaufmann house?

• Hearth is a structural fulcrum of the house 

• Sunbathing rock turned into the hearthstone 

• It’s a cave-like interior 

• Dendriform: resembling in structure or tree or branch, having a branching shape 

• Cost over runs

• Construction relays 

• Tension with engineers 

• Wright financial trouble

What elements are in the Kaufamann house?

Earth, fire, air, and water

cantilever

a long projecting bean or girder fixed at only one end

totalitarianism

a system of government that is centralized and dictatorial and requires subservience to the state

What are the qualities of Totalitarian architecture?

• Monumental forms/intimidation through size 

• Permanence

• Emphasize the connection with Ancient Predecessors 

• Megalomania focus- domination of others 

• Limitations on artistic originality- the leader often decides the style 

• Aims to instill government ideology

Paris Worlds Fair 1937

International Exposition of Art and Technology in Modern Life

Paris Worlds Fair 1937

• A tenuous event due to global politics 

• Theme of peace and progress

• Turning point in the relationship between modernity and political action 

  • Germany vs. USSR, confrontation through architecture, representing opposing totalitarian systems

German Pavilion

Paris, France 

Albert Speer, 1937

German Pavilion

• 15ft bronze doors

• Steel structure, stone facade

• Swastika 

• Imperial eagle on top of the tower

• There are no windows or cameras allowed

Soviet Pavilion

Paris, France 

Boris Iofan, 1937

Soviet Pavilion

This building is an example of socialist realism

What was designed in post WW1 and pre WW2:

1929 Barcelona Pavilion, Barcelona, Mies and Reich

stripped classicism

20th century architectural style based on principles of Classical architecture 

• Nazi architecture promoted by hitler and the Nazi regime in 1933-1945

• Stripped of most ornamentation 

• In Germany, often included Nazi symbolism

Albert Speer

• German architect

• Chief architect for Hitler

• Nazi architect (1934-1937)

Boris Iofan

• Soviet architect

• Studied architecture in Italy focused on Neo-Classical Architecture 

• Stalin's architecture

socialist realism

considered the official architectural style during the Stalinist regime beginning circa 19323

• Combines classical characteristics with programs of social concern 

• The official state mandated style 

• The technique included representational realism, such as workers strengthening the ‘cult of leadership’

The Spanish Pavilion 

Paris, France 

Josep Lluis Sert & Luis Lacasa, 1937

rationalist architecture

architectural style developed from Italy in 1920s-1930s common in Italian Fascist buildings

What is included in rationalist architecture?

• Use of symmetry 

• Mathematically and geometrically defined structures 

• Minimal ornamentation 

• Often connected to ancient roman architecture

who authored the Fascist Manifesto?

Marinetti and Ambris

What is in the Fascist Manifesto?

• Glorification of War

• Anti-traditionalism 

• Nationalism over class

• Relationship with Mussolini

What is this?

Casa De Fascio (House of Fascism)

Como Italy

Giuseppe Terragni 1932-1936

What is an example of Italian Rationalism?

Casa De Fascio

What is the Case de Fasio

• Local Headquarters Mussolini National Fascist Party 

• One of many houses of Fascism through Italy 

• Function as a ‘set’ for Fascist rallies 

• Constructed to be the backdrop for political rallies 

• Used as a common palazzo plan with courtyard modified to represent modern, rationalist principles

• Plaza building with courtyard interior

• Intended to create creation of a new sense of the classical 

• Today it serves as the HQ for finance police 

• Contains galleries, offices, and meeting rooms

• Glass atrium for maximum transparency and surveillence

Who is Giuseppe Terragni?

• Italian Architect 

• Advocate for Italian Rationalism 

• Worked primarily under the fascist regime under mussolini

What is the EUR (Esposizione Universale Roma)

• Exposition to be hosted in Rome for the 1942 worlds fair 

• Mussolini planned to celebrate 20 years of Fascism

• The exhibition never took place bc of WW2

• E42 exhibition to celebrate the contribution of Italian civilization over time

What is this?

EUR (Esposizione Universale Roma)

what is this?

Palace of Italian Civilization (Square Colosseum)

Rome, Italy 

Guerrini, Bruno, Lapadula, and Romano, 1937-1943

This building is an example of Fascist Architecture

Palace of Italian Civilization (Square Colosseum)

what is a colonnade?

a row of columns supporting a roof, a continuous horizontal lintel or arcade

Define this Buidling?

• Italian Fascist Architecture 

• Example of rationalism 

• Symmetrical, minimal ornamentation 

• Reinforced concrete and travertine cladding

• Designed as a museum of Italian Civilization for 1942 World Fair EUR 

• Square plan with double colonnade

• A cube with four facades and arches 

• Recalls the ancient roman colosseum

• Today the building is used as FENDI Headquarters

Palace of Italian Civilization

Who is Richard Neutra?

• Austrian American Architect 

• Studied under Adolf Loos

• Worked for Erick Mendelsohn and Wright 

• Coined the term Bioreliam 

Author of Survival through design, 1954

What is biorealism?

Neutra's theory that applied the biological and psychological sciences, coined in 1946

• “Bios” or life + “realism” - truthful representation of matter 

• An interconnectedness to nature which was considered fundamental and requisite to human well-being 

• Designers have a duty to protect the human race through nurturing design

What are the central tenants of Biorealism?

1. Critical + inseparable relationship between humankind and nature

2. It is necessary to counteract the negative environment to ensure the survival of humankind

3. Nature Near- to achieve this new balance, architecture 

4. Understanding the science of the body integrate into architecture, employ physiology in design 

   1. Stressors directly impact human health

5. Architects have a duty to protect human race through nurturing design

   1. Healthful architecture is essential to humanity's survival

what is Psycho-physical architecture through the lens of neutral?

• A “therapeutic” human-centric approach 

• Views buildings as sensory-focused instruments that regulate the nervous system 

• Promotes well being rather than only providing shelter

what is evidence based design EBD?

a process that uses research to make decisions about the built environment

Who were the Lovell Health House clients?

• Dr. Philip Lovell- a naturopath, an anti drug practitioner, ‘eccentric heath guru’ 

• Leah Lovell-primary education teacher

What is this?

Lovell Health House

Los Angeles, CA

Richard Neutra 1927-1929

What buidling is this?

Home designed to affect the psyche of the inhabitants

• Plan complex included 

  • Open air fitness suit, gym, court, pool 

  • Rooms for sunbathing and sleeping out in the open 

  • Kindergarten classroom

• Peaceful retreat spaces 

• Dietary and therapeutic services (water filter, composting area)

• Among the first steel frame houses in the US

• An early example of the use of gunite, a sprayed on concrete (shotcrete)

Special UV light permitting glass windows

Lovell Health House

Who is this?

• American architect, inventor, system theorist, philosopher, designer 

• Sought to develop designs focus on efficiencies, geometric principles, low cost

• Author of operating manual for spaceship earth

• Considered hims a “comprehensive anticipatory design scientist”

• Concerned with humanity at large 

• Took a holistic systems view of the world and it’s problems

R.Buckminster Fuller

What is spaceship earth?

term used to describe our planet

• Examines how we can utilize resources more effectively to protect the planet and solve global issues 

• Holds 28 US patents including Dymaxion House, Geodesic dome

what is Ephemeralization:

• a concept of technological advancement allowing humans to do more and more with less 

  • Voided by Buckminster Fuller in 1938

  • Which translates to…doing more with less

what is dymaxion?

• use of technology and resources to maximum advantage, with minimal expenditure of energy and material 

  • Combination of dynamic, maximum + tension

  • “Maximum gain of advantage from minimal energy input” -Fuller

What is this?

Dymaxion House Studies 

Buckmister Fuller, 1927-1948

What building is this?

Sustainable autonomous single-family dwelling

• Raised to provide parking below an elevator in the mast 

• Exposed tension cable supports 

• Used tension to stay up 

• Power delivered via diesel generator 

• 1,100 square feet 

• Used tensions to stay up 

• Hexagonal plan home 

• Pro-fab

• Assembled on site 

• Designed to revolutionize the housing industry 

• Of stamped aluminum sheet metal

• Heating and cooling done naturally 

• Designed to be suitable for any site or environment with resources efficiently 

• Dymaxion deployment until used to accommodate troops in WWII

what is tensegrity?

• tensional integrity or floating compression 

  • Coined by Buckminster Fuller 

  • A structural principle based on a system of isolated components in compression inside a net of continuous tension

what is a dome?

an architectural element that resembles the hollow upper half of a sphere

what is a geodesic dome?

a spherical form made of triangular or polygonal struts or planes primarily in tension

• Replaces the principles of arch to distribute stresses within the structure 

• Developed by Buckminster Fuller

• Low cost and easy to transport and build 

• Lightweight

what is a shell?

• (also referred to as plate structures)

  • Curved or angled structures capable of transmitting loads in two or more directions 

  • Belong to the family of arches 

  • Thin shells have a range of form versatility 

  • One of the best alternatives to cover large spans

What is this style?

• Architectural movement popularized 1950s and 1960s based on an earlier movement of Expressionism 

  • Building that evoked feeling or emotion 

  • Often asymmetrical and sculptural 

  • Used advanced technologies in steel and concrete

Neo-Expressionism aka Modern Expressionism

Who is this?

• Danish architect 

• Won the design competition to win the Sydney Opera hOuse 

• Designed the Sydney Opera House in Australia 

• Won Pritzker price in 2003

Jorn Utzon

What is this?

Sydney Opera House 

Sydney, Australia 

Jorn Utzon 1957-1973

What building is this?

• Considered an example of Neo-Expressionism

• Concert hall, with 2,679 seats 

• Design evoked sails, shells, and gull wings

• Large terraced platform with pedestrian concourses 

• The podium is earth toned granite panels 

• The roof structure developed as a series of paraolas supported by precast concrete ribs 

• Constructed of precast concrete panels supported by precast concrete ribs 

• The roof is made of interlocking vaulted segments 

• The roof structure developed as a series of parabolas supported by precast concrete ribs 

• Ove Arup was the engineer

• Roof covered withSwedish chevron ceramic tiles

• Shells are faced in glazed tiles 

Sydney Opera House

What is this?

TWA Terminal (Trans World Airlines Terminal )

Eero Saarinene and Associates, 1956-1962

What building is this?

• Given the directive by the client to capture the spirit of flight

• Form of a huge bird with wings spread in flight 

• Example of neo-expressionism 

• Thin shell struct over the main terminal 

• Central structure- curving concrete columns 

• Expansive windows that highlighted departing and arriving jets 

• Today it’s a hotel

TWA terminal

who is this?

• Finish American architect and industrial designer

• Known for modern and expressionist architecture 

• Son of Eliel Saarinen

• Works includes DUller Airport, the TWA Flight Center (JFK) NYC, Gateway Arch in St. Louis

Eero Saarinen

What is a thin shell concrete?

• concrete there dimensional spatial structures constructed from one or more curved slabs or folded plates, often with minimal interior columns

  • 2-4” thickness depending on span

what is this?

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

NYC 

Frank Lloyd Wright, 1956-1959

what is a tent?

•  a structure, enclosure or shelter, with or without sidewalls or drops

  • Constructed of fabric or pliable material 

  • Supported by any manner except by air or the contents that it protects

who is this?

• German architect and structural engineer

• Known for use of lightweight structures, tensile and membrane structures 

• Pritzker Prize winner 

• Designer of the olympic stadium in Munich, 1972

Frei Otto

What is this?

CaseStudy Houses (1945-1966)

What were the CaseStudy Houses

• Experimental housing program in American residential architecture 

• Sponsored by arts and architecture magazine

• Most houses in california

• Modern

• Low budget, easy to build

• Often with simple volumes, steel frames, glass 

• For the average American family 

• Influential in for southern california modern

• John Entenza, supporter of iInternational Style Modern Design initiated the program

• Design, publish and build projects

• Donated materials from manufacturers and furniture vendors like Herman Miller

• Example of affordable single family homes

who is this?

• Partners in the Eames Office

• Designers and residents of the Eames House, Case Study #8

American designers, worked in architecture, industrial design + film

Charles Eames and Ray Eames:

What is this?

Eames House (aka Case Study House #8)

Los Angeles, CA

Charles & ray Eames, 1949

what building is this?

• Home and Studio

• All elements conceived as a kit of parts 

• The structure was to be constructed from “off-the-shelf” parts from steel fabricators catalogs 

• Assembled in 1.5 days by eight workers, using standardized, industrialized materials 

• Eames storage units 

• Industrial components,steel, glass,and color 

• Sought warmth in the interior spaces 

• Use of wood, colors, carpets, throws

Eames House

What is this?

Glass House

New Cannan, CT

Philip Johnson, 1949

What building is this?

• 47 acre estate with 10 pavilions

• International style 

• The view os the landscape are its “wallpaper”

• The brick cylinder is the only object to reach floor to ceiling 

• Glass, steel (painted black) and brick

• Low walnut cabinets 

• Herringbone brick floor

Glass House

Who is this?

• American architect and curator of MoMA

• Known predominantly International Style and Postmodern work 

• Recipient of the Pritzker Prize 

• Organized the MOMA exhibition of International Style in 1932

Philip Johnson

What is this?

Farnsworth house

Plano, Illinois

Mies Van De Rohe, 1946-1951

what building is this?

• Weekend retreat house

• Steel structure surrounded by glass walls

• Seminal work in the international style

• Elevated due to flooding 

• Steel frame for open plan interior 

• Designed as two rectangular platforms 

• Made of industrial products-mill formed steel and plate glass

• Eight wide flange steel columns

• Interior materials restricted to:

  • Travertine 

  • Wood

  • Teak

  • Plaster

  • Glass

• Like a greenhouse in design with insufficient ventilation

• Only 2 operable windows 

• Hide steel marks and imperfections

• Not to disrupt natural integration

Farnsworth house