Post Modernism

Like most design movements Post-Modernism began as a reaction against the previous style. Modernism had a long reign which included strict design rules. Post-Modernism came about when people were tired of all of the white walls and over-simplistic non ornamented interiors.
A famous Post-Modernist, Robert Venturi who went to Princeton University for Architecture wrote two books that influenced Post-Modernism. The first book, "Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture," discussed how Modernism was limited because of the values it held about simplicity and logic. It posed that we should embrace ornamentation and that great design comes from complexity and contradiction. A famous quote was "Less is a bore," which contradicts Modernism's philosophy that "Less is more." His second Book "Learning from Las Vegas- the forgotten symbolism of architectural form," which studies the urban architectural form of Las Vegas, the results were used to show the need for ornamentation in urban architectural design. It posed that ornamentation provided meaning in urban architecture. Robert Venturi's style considered the historical precedent and the nuisances of modern living.
Robert Venturi teamed up with another architect Denise Scott-Brown and developed the curious distinction between a "Duck" and a "Decorated Shed." He discuses this phenomenon in his essay "99% Invisible: Lessons from Sin City: The Architecture of  Ducks vs Decorated Sheds." This explores the idea of how Vegas has learned how to attract people with the symbolic ornamentation of their architecture.

    Robert Venturi designed this house for his mother after his father died. She only 
requested that the house be unpretentious and had no garage as she was no
longer driving.  


Some examples of today's architecture that have been inspired
 by the Duck vs Decorated Shed mentality.

Peer Reviews: 

Savannah Phillips:I really enjoyed how you included several architects in your blog

                                instead of focusing on one. It was a unique approach to the blog.

Alex Danner: It was great learning about the Memphis Movement from your blog 

                        post. I also loved how you included the fashion and different elements.

The link below goes into more depth on the Vanna Venturi House:

https://www.dezeen.com/2015/08/12/postmodernism-architecture-vanna-venturi-house

-philadelphia-robert-venturi-denise-scott-brown/

Modernism in America Part II

  

Mid-Century Modern

Charles and Ray Eames  (1907- 1978 & 1912 - 1988)

Charles Eames went to Washington University for architecture and became and architect and an industrial designer. He studied and taught at Cranbrook Academy. 

Ray Eames got her education from Bennett Woman's College and Cranbrook Academy. She became an artist and a film maker. The couple had a big influence on the lifestyle of the average American family, they considered the ergonomic factors in furniture design, and the designed furniture for Herman Miller. They used molded plywood and plastics for chairs, molded fiberglass and aluminum framed furniture.

Charles and Ray Eames Quotes:

Charles: "Anything I can do, Ray can do better."

Ray: "I never gave up painting, I just changed my palette."

Click the link below to see even more information on Charles and Ray Eames:

http://www.dwr.com/designer-charles-and-ray-eames?lang=en_US

           

                                         Eames Chairs

Eames Lounge Chair

             

Eames Lounge Chair used in a Modern Setting

Eames Chairs used in a Modern Setting

Peer Reviews:

 Kiera Ferguson: I love your modern images and your take on the Modernism in America. 

Marisa Smith: I enjoyed your take on the Eames couple as I did the same people. It was interesting to see the difference in what we found on them. 

                       

Modernism in America - part 1

World War ll Was devastating for many and had a large influence on Europe. During the turmoil the Bauhaus was closed and many designers fled Europe to find refuge in the United States.Before the war Modernism was theoretical and idealistic, however once the war was over Modernism had a shift and became practical and applied.
William Lescaze (1896-1969) graduated from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, he studied under the Swiss architect Karl Moser in Geneva, and he brought his European influenced Modernism ideas to America in 1920. He was known for designing commercial buildings and he opened his own practice in New York in 1923. Arguably most impressive he created the first American Skyscraper.

Today America is filled with many scrapers, of course not all of them are intentionally copying someone like William Lescaze, however many buildings may be indirectly inspired by this building as it was the first industrial style skyscraper in America. To the right are some example of skyscrapers that could be drastically different without the influence of William Lescaze and other innovators like him.

William Lescaze was a serious modernist, he believed that the clean lines and simple geometric forms of the International Style could make for a better life. ''The visible results,'' he wrote of modern architecture, ''are beautiful, economical and efficient. The unseen results are greater happiness, better health for a greater number of human beings, the satisfaction of being honest and of being in tune with the life of our own times.''
For more info on Lescaze check out the link below:
https://www.philadelphiabuildings.org/pab/app/ar_display.cfm/19021

The first industrial style skyscraper in America-
by William Lescaze.

William Lescaze's Sketch of  the Oak Lane Country Day
School that he designed in 1929.

William Lescaze's Oak Lane Country Day School, 1929.



Peer reviews:
Alexandria Ferrara: I enjoyed how you used your own
experience as a part of the Blog this week. I found it very
 unique and interesting. I also enjoyed the extra information.
Emma Michelfelder: I loved reading about Frank Lloyd
Wright from your perspective, and also the imagery you
provided to back up what you were saying about his designs.

Rise of the Decorator

Frances Elkins was a very influential woman designer. She has been referred to as "the first greatest California decorator." She created the famous Loop Chair. Elkins also decorated a number of public spaces in the Bay Area, including the Yerba Buena Club at the Golden Gate International Exposition, the 1939 fair staged on Treasure Island in San Francisco Bay. The interiors of the club were arresting. She chose yellow for the luxurious velvet curtains and the wall draperies that billowed from the lofty ceiling in the members' dining room. Window blinds—vertically patterned in a bold blue-and-white stripe —provided contrast to the dining room's dramatic design, which was dominated by Frank-style chairs and Giacomettistyle standing lamps. Although Elkins was highly regarded in San Francisco before the fair opened, her triumph at the Yerba Buena Club solidified her reputation in the Bay Area.

Elkins Famous Loop Chair

Contemporary take on the famous Loop Chair

                                               

Frances Elkins was best known in California. However, along with her prolific achievements in and around Chicago, she also decorated houses on the East Coast, where her revolutionary style defied tradition. In 1950 Van Day Truex, at the suggestion of Albert Hadley, invited Elkins to judge the senior student presentation of interior design assignments at the Parsons School of Design. Elkins, no doubt, with her great taste, innate ability and inestimable influence on the field of interior design, contributed invaluable insight to the occasion.

Link to a video on Frances Elkins:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLL09zbxlG0

Peer Reviews:

Megan: I liked the photos she shared to show Clodagh's design. The designs are very interesting and I loved the picture of the second interior because of the lights that are shown.

Marisa: I enjoyed your take on Francis Elkins. Since we wrote on the same person it is interesting to see the different view points. I liked how you dove into her personal life. 

Art Deco

Art Deco came to life in France in the 1920's and reached other European countries and the US at the beginning of World War 2. The style was  fashion oriented and followed along with the current fashion trends in a way that had both of the design worlds meeting. Art Deco, although very much its own entity was influenced by Art Nouveau. It was a reaction against the strict rules of modernism, because of this Art Deco was heavily decorated and not necessarily focused on function.

Original Art Deco Interior 

Art Deco was also inspired by skyscrapers and the emerging technology of the time. This led to interesting furniture with geometric shapes that were stepped to suggest the architecture of skyscrapers, chevron  and zig zags inspired by the electric technology around them. The materials of the time were also arguing against the strict modern materials of glass and metals. Art Deco's materials were rich, the more exotic the better. Art Deco used Ebony, polished metals, mirrors, glass, leather, tortoise-shell, and zebrawood with inlays of ivory. The style is one that appreciates all things glamorous.

Modern Application of the Art Deco Style

Here is a link to an interesting website I found that celebrates the art deco style, you can check out their upcoming events and much more.
http://artdeco.org/ 




Eileen Gray was a designer during the Art Deco period, she was a very influential designer and not just because of her designs but also because at the time being a woman designer was not common. It was more common for women to help men with their designs, but this woman was making a name for herself as an independent designer. She focused on luxury through her designs and her                                                                                        furniture pieces were mass produced.

Modern day application of the Bibendum arm chair

One of her furniture pieces: the Bibendum arm chair (1925)

Peer reviews: 

Kendra: I loved all of the old photos she used, they really 

showcased the style as it was in its prime. I also found the

video that you shared on how the style first came about 

very helpful and interesting. 

Savannah: Your blog was unique in the fact that you showed 

some of the materials that were used and really helped explain

how the materials were an integral part of the style. 

The Emergence of Modernism

Driving forces during this time ( 1900- 1950's) to change design were among other things; the ending of the first world war and also new technological advancements such as automobiles, photography, and skyscrapers. As most design movements it was a rejection of the old historical design styles. An inspiration during the time was emerging technology, because of this the industrial style was embraced. During this time great architects were part of the movement that helped change the direction of design. One of these architects was Mies van der Rohe, he was German-American whose phrase was, "less is more." He was a director of the Bauhaus but also helped bring modernism to the next level in the United states.
Below is a link to information about the 2013 winner of the Mis van der Rohe award:
http://inspirationist.net/winner-of-mies-van-der-rohe-award-2013-special-guest-of-riff-2014/

Mis van der Rohe's famous Barcelona Chair

Today Knoll sells Mis van der Rohe's design for modern inter-
iors. This was a chair so well designed that it transcends time.

Mies van der Rohe's Farnsworth House (1951) brings in its surroundings with
its glass walls, while still being a modern style structure, using simple
materials.

The designer of this building won a Mis van der Rohe award for their design.
It does not directly copy his design as the chair above but instead is inspired
by him, which is the best way to design. It is apparent that the designer was
channeling Mis van der Rohe with this modern day building. (link above info)

Peer Reviews:

Kiera Ferguson: I enjoyed the modern examples she used to illustrate how we still are inspired today by these designs from a different tine, it helps back up what we learned in class. I also enjoyed the information on Walter Gropius and how he did not study architecture but opened his own business.

Marisa Smith: I enjoyed reading about Mis van der Rohe from her perspective since he was also who intrigued me to write my blog post about. Although we wrote about the same person we touched on different aspects of his design, I like how she approached his use of materials along with texture. 

Protomodernism

1897- 1959

Protomodernism was a style that rejected the aesthetics of the past and ornamentation. An interesting designer of the time was Josef Hoffmann. He was an architect and designer for fifty years, who lived from 1870-1956 and worked with textiles, metals, and furniture. He was inspired by the arts and crafts movement but had a style very much his own. He used geometric lines and was known for his cube and square design. A lot of the furniture that he created is still replicated and also used as inspiration for many furniture pieces today.

Video on a furniture collection to show even more of his furniture:

               

Josef Hoffmann Original Barrel Chair         

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Lf1r3P1DHA

Peer Reviews:

Erin Kelly: I enjoyed that you chose to 

include Frank Lloyd Wright and Gerrit

Rietveld, it showed a variety of designers from the same style (protomodernism) they both fall into the same category yet you can see distinctive differences between them. 

Demi Pas: I saw that she also provided information on two separate designers. I enjoyed not only the information on Otto Wagner but also the images 

she used to portray his style, 

there was something 

very architectural about 

her blog post.  

                                                 

                

Modern interpretation of the Barrel Chair, it retains the 

similar shape but has cleaner lines.

                        

        

                         Kubus Chair (keeps in line with his geometric

                         tendencie and his love of cubes) Repeating cube 

                         shape with circular feet. Lounge chair upholstered 

                         in leather. (original) 

                       

                         A modern sofa almost completely replicates Josef Hoffmann 

                        with only a change to the legs that are now also cubes as well. 

                        The piece is timeless as it seamlessly fits in to a current interior.

Art Nouveau

Art Nouveau meaning , "New Art" in french, was a design movement that began in Britain but was lead heavily by Belgium and France. The movement, like many movements, was a reaction to the previous design ideals. Art Nouveau rejected Victorian style and any imitations of historical styles. Why do what has been done? Art Nouveau was focused on bringing in natural elements. There was decorative ornamentation based on natural forms, modern techniques (electricity), use of modern materials (iron and glass) and used painting and sculpture. 

The images above showcase the whimsical nature of the Art Nouveau movement. They bring in the natural elements not only in subject but also through movement. Below are examples of modern interpretations of Art Nouveau. Note the curvilinear lines used in both in the fireplace, the stairs and in the furniture in order to capture Art Nouveau. Natural elements are brought in to the spaces by using actual plants but also by following a vine-like movement within interior elements. 

https://aboutartnouveau.wordpress.com/2012/11/15/documentary-about-alphonse-mucha-2004/

Peer Reviews: 

Becca: I loved the designer she looked at in depth. I thought it was very unique because usually when thinking to be inspired by nature you are not thinking of the sea or coral reefs, the first thought is usually what is right outside. 

Lisa: She provided many interesting videos on the topic and it really helped to support her blog post. 

The Arts and Crafts Movement

The Arts and Crafts Movement 1860 - 1910

http://uvac.uvic.ca/gallery/katharinemaltwood/arts-and-crafts-movement-film-project/

The arts and crafts movement was founded by William Morris and began in England but also became popular in the United States. The arts and crafts movement was a reaction against the elaborate decorations of the Victorian Period.

 During the Victorian Period the consumer culture was born. Factories were able to pump things out faster than if each piece was being carefully crafted. Now the middle class could fill their homes with furniture, but at the price of it not being well made and long lasting. The arts and crafts movement was also a reaction against the cheap factory made products and the Industrial Revolution.

Original furniture from the Arts and Crafts Movement


Characteristics of the Arts and Crafts Movement:

• Completely hand made
• Wood joints visible (so the consumer can see how it is made)
• Based on Medieval designs (Gothic)
• Influenced by shaker furniture (for its simplicity) 
• Oak wood (and a lot of it) with strong visible grain
• very heavy furniture
• exposed hinges

Essentially:

"Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful 

or believe to be beautiful."

- William Morris 

Chair from the Arts and Crafts Movement

Gamble House, Original Arts and Crafts Ceiling 

Modern Day Interiors Inspired by the Arts and Crafts Movement:
Notice the wood beams on the ceilings, the simple furniture, use of
wood, the exposed hinges and the overall Gothic feel of some of the
spaces, and the light fixtures. In my opinion the spaces have
successfully created arts and crafts spaces while keeping it modern.

Modern day Arts and Crafts inspired interior

Modern Kitchen Influenced by Arts and Crafts

Modern day couch inspired by the Arts and Crafts