Page 1: IIM-Ahmedabad

Overview

• IIM-Ahmedabad is designed by the architect Louis I. Kahn.

Page 2: Cubism

Definition

• Cubism is a significant visual arts style and concept from the 20th Century, developed largely by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque in Paris between 1907 and 1914.

Characteristics

• Emphasizes flat, two-dimensional surface.

• Rejects traditional perspective, moving away from copying realistic form, texture, color, and space.

• Presents objects in a radically fragmented way, showing multiple sides simultaneously.

Artwork Examples

• Woman with a Guitar (1913)

• Le Guitariste by Pablo Picasso (1910)

Page 3: Cubism in Architecture

Design Principles

• Buildings based on Cubist principles often feature geometrical interlocking shapes or simple geometrical forms, predominantly cuboid.

• Characterized by simplicity and the use of modern materials unconventional for buildings.

• Sharp, clean lines allow easy perspective viewing.

• Often designed for prefabrication, allowing for assembly on-site.

• Windows typically feature cuboid or rectangular forms; alignment is not strict compared to conventional buildings.

• Subtle dominant colors are common, with one or two prominent hues.

Page 4: Introduction to Constructivism

Overview

• Constructivism originated in Russia in 1913, emerging after World War I, spearheaded by Vladimir Tatlin.

• Focuses on expressing the experience of modern life through dynamism and disorienting qualities of space and time.

Evolution of Constructivism

• Aimed to abolish traditional composition in art, shifting to a focus on 'construction'.

• Characterized by the integration of modern technology and engineering methods with the socio-political ethos of Communism.

Page 5: Characteristics of Constructivism

Design Features

• Utilizes 3D cubism applied to abstract and non-objective elements.

• Incorporates geometric forms: straight lines, cylinders, cubes, rectangles.

• Integrates modern aspects like radio antennae, tension cables, concrete frames, and steel girders.

• Explores contrasts between solid walls and windows, essential for the building's scale and presence.

Example

• Dom Narkomfin: Known as the Hammer and Sickle Building.

Page 6: The Monument to the Third International

Concept

• An ambitious project planned in St. Petersburg post-Bolshevik revolution (1917).

• Designed as a leaning spiral iron framework supporting a glass cylinder, cone, and cube rotating at different speeds.

Features and Significance

• Intended to house halls for lectures and conferences.

• Projected height was over 1,313 feet (400 meters), planned to surpass the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

Page 7: Expressionism - Stylistic Features

Key Aspects

• Emphasis on semantic meaning over figurative detailing.

• Artwork conveys the expression of the artist.

• Characterized by non-geometry and vibrant color mixtures.

Development

• Originated as an Avant Garde style, radical and experimental.

• Prioritizes emotional ideas through form abstraction, highlighting humanity over machine-made constructs.

• Focuses on symbolism and concept representation above pragmatic solutions.

Inspiration Sources

• Derived inspiration from natural elements such as caves, mountains, and rock formations, showcasing a more rectilinear aesthetic compared to Art Nouveau.

Page 8: Einstein Tower Observatory

Facts

• Located in Potsdam, Germany, built by Erich Mendelsohn between 1919 and 1921.

• Design reflects the mystique surrounding Einstein's universe.

Page 9: Goetheanum

Overview

• Located in Dornach, Switzerland, designed by Rudolf Steiner.

• Serves as a center for the Anthroposophical movement, housing a library, galleries, and auditorium spaces.

Page 10: De Stijl - Dutch Background

Key Points

• Predominantly an art movement founded in Amsterdam in 1917, lasting until 1931.

• Influenced later movements such as minimalism and cubism.

• Focused on Neo-Plasticism, abstraction, and design purity.

Page 11: Formal Vocabulary of De Stijl

Color and Value

• Limited to primary colors: red, yellow, blue, along with black, white, and grey.

• Avoids symmetry and achieves aesthetic balance through opposition.

Page 12: Stijl and Construction

Architectural Concept

• The term 'stijl' refers to structural elements like posts and supports.

• Influences seen in carpentry, with inspiration from Cubist painting and geometric idealism.

Page 13: Three-Dimensional Works of De Stijl

Design Approach

• Features vertical and horizontal lines in layers that do not intersect, allowing independent existence.

• Notable examples include the Rietveld Schröder House and the Red and Blue Chair.

Page 14: Theo van Doesburg

Background

• Dutch painter and architect associated with De Stijl.

• Known for redesigning spaces such as the dance hall in Strasbourg, France.

Page 15: Gerrit Rietveld

Contributions

• Dutch furniture designer and architect.

• Noted for the Rietveld Schröder House built for Mrs. Truus Schröder-Schräder in Utrecht, Netherlands.

Page 16: Rietveld Schröder House

Significance

• A landmark architectural work designed by Gerrit Rietveld, representing the core principles of the De Stijl movement.

Page 17: Summary of Rietveld Schröder House

Conclusion

• The house exemplifies the integration of De Stijl principles in architecture, showcasing the innovative use of space and design.