HID Module 5

Industrial Revolution

James Watts - Steam Engine


Industrial Architecture

Joseph Paxton - Crystal Palace (1851)

Gustave Eiffel - Eiffel Tower (built for the 1889 Exposition Universelle - 100th anniv of French Revolution)

Eiffel Tower’s Engineers - Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nouguier

Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi - Statue of Liberty (built for America’s declaration of independence, year 1886)


Victorian furniture

  • tubular metal and cast iron

  • papier-mache

  • bentwood - michael thonet

  • coil springs


Eclecticism - blending different styles rather than following a single one

Historicism - imitating the work of historic artisans to stimulate national nostalgia.

Victorian Period - corresponds to the reign of Queen Victoria, which follows the Georgian period and preceded the Edwardian period. The Victorian era is known for its interpretation and eclectic revival of historic styles mixed with the introduction of Middle Eastern and Asian influences.

The development of the style was partly a response to the severity of Neoclassical architecture. It fully utilized new materials and building techniques, including an iron skeleton framework. Several reasons led to this shift from Neoclassicism:

1. A literary romantic revolution inspired Gothic tales of horror and romances, such as Shelley's "Frankenstein" and Stoker's "Dracula."

2. Gothic style - Represented true christian architecture

3. John Ruskin's writings praised Gothic buildings for the intricate decoration by stone carvers, emphasizing their superiority over other architectural styles.

  • Strawberry Hill, the home of the English writer Horace Walpole - is the earliest documented example of the revived use of Gothic architectural elements.

  • Fonthill Abbey, designed by James Wyatt

  • St. Patrick’s Cathedral, by James Renwick in New York, NY.


Palace of Westminster - Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin


Napoleon III style or Second Empire Baroque - inspired by italian renaissance, louis xiv, and napoleon i

Second Empire

Charles Garnier - Palais Garnier

  • paneled dadoes or walls

  • floors are marble or tile

  • rectangular with a shaped shelf and round arched opening


Beaux-Arts Style (grandly designed and ornamented facades) - Ecole des Beaux-Arts:

  • Henri Deglane - Grand Palais

  • Charles Girault - Petit Palais

  • Reed and Stem - Grand Central Terminal


The Shakers:

- Emphasized simplicity, utility, and honesty in design.

- Minimalist interiors with clean lines and functional furniture.

The Aesthetic Movement:

- Focused on educating consumers about artistic principles.

- Ennobled decoration and furnishing beyond fashion.

Queen Anne (Revival) Style:

- English style aiming for home comfort and tradition.

- Eclectic mix of historic elements and red brick exteriors.

The Arts and Crafts Movement:

- Emphasized craftsmanship and design quality.

- Advocated for manual craftsmanship in the face of industrialization.

The Prairie School:

- Embraced local materials and craft traditions.

- Integrated interior and exterior spaces with open-plan layouts.

- Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959) was the most influential figure in American domestic architecture during this time.

Arts and Crafts Interiors:

- Championed the creation of beautiful, useful, and affordable applied art objects.

- Promoted handmade furniture and craftsmanship.


Art Nouveau:

- Emerged as a rejection of 19th-century historicism and neoclassicism.

- Characterized by sinuous asymmetrical lines and floral motifs.

- Spread throughout Europe and America, influencing architecture and design.

- Notable examples include Hôtel Tassel, Paris Métro entrances, and Casa Batlló.

Victorian Interior Design:

- Named after Queen Victoria's reign, characterized by peace and prosperity.

- Saw mass production of furniture, carpets, and household items.

- Interiors featured bright colors, heavy drapery, and cluttered furnishings.

- Inspired by a mix of styles, including Classical, Rococo, and Gothic.

Art Nouveau Interiors:

- Influenced by the Arts and Crafts Movement and Japanese woodcuts.

- Early designers like Arthur H. Mackmurdo and C.F.A. Voysey embraced asymmetrical patterns and simplified floral motifs.

- Later designers like Mackay Hugh Baillie Scott and Charles Rennie Mackintosh favored open-plan spaces and rectilinear furniture.

- Antonio Gaudi y Cornet's work in Spain showcased parabolic arches and organic forms influenced by Moorish design.