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.