Modernism & The White Building

Architecture

the art and technique of designing and building

Modern Architecture

Looking ahead, reject the past

• materials: steel, glass, concrete

• emphasizing simple geometric shapes/masses

• rejection of ornament decoration, function leads the way

“A machine for living” - Le Corbusier

believed that architecture is a machine meant to improve people’s life, and is not just a box

Villa Savoye by Le Corbusier

1928-31, Modern Architecture, France

• was commissioned by the Savoye family for an estate home

• minimal use of color or shape to help describe purity, could not be touched by anything else or would be tarnished

• bis glass wall separate the garden, this was a new idea in 1930

• the bottom is green to melt into the green grass and trees

Why did Villa Savoye fail?

Madam Savoye hated this place as it was drafty, sky light motor was loud and couldn’t control the temperature

• went agaisnt the point Le Corbusier made of having a house help the owners