revolutionary material

Iron in it's least processed form, cast iron, is much too brittle to be a reliable material for large construction. The development of iron in to steel created a much stronger material and revolutionized buildings. Steel allowed buildings to form completely different shapes and reach heights that would otherwise be impossible. This revolutionary material allowed designers to execute building designs that previously had only been possible in thought. 

post war

 Following World War I & II  is the emergence of modernism . New buildings were designed with  simple forms that made no reference to history. These stripped down versions symbolized the removal of  influence from other countries and the creation of something new. Architecture did not involve a lot of surface ornamentation as it had in the past. New designs were more focused on creating something that emphasized function and the methods or materials that were used to create the structure.

modern

Modern is a term that is often used to describe a design aesthetic. I think that a modern design is less about aesthetics and more about it's timing. As we know, design is a discipline that repeats it's self over and over. What was once considered modern will likely come back around to be considered modern again. A modern design is current. Sometimes the newest designs are completely original, not resembling designs that preceded it. There are  designs that may be considered modern, but also borrow from the past. The armchair designed by Stephen Kenn seems to be influenced by designers that led the way many years ago. There are elements that remind me of the Marcel Breur's Wassily chair and Gerrit Reitveld's Red Blue chair.  Kenn's armchair and other pieces from his Inheritance line  are  made using repurposed army surplus from WWII. This notion of recycling and repurposing is also a common theme to many modern designs. This chair that uses 70 year old materials and is influenced be designs even older than that, is now modern. Because it is what is being produced in the current era.

                                                         www.stephenkenn.com

all american bungalow

The bungalow is simple, informal and efficient. It is these attributes that attracted the new generation of the early 1900's,  to leaving the city for a more relaxed home in the suburbs. Because of it's popularity in California, to many the Bungalow was reminiscent of a lifestyle that was relaxed and sunny. Most bungalows of this time had a broad porch on which families could relax and be closer to nature. This notion of being closer to nature and the outdoors was something that a lot of young families were seeking at the time. The bungalow with its unobtrusive angles and simple materials allowed it to blend in to it's natural surroundings. 

Bungalow- Los Angeles, Ca 

skyscraper

Most historic photos of skyscrapers show them from  a corner angle/ elevated perspective. This portrayal is an inaccurate view, as most individuals interacted with the buildings from street level. In  "Chicago 1890: The Skyscraper and the modern city"  Joanna Merwood- Salisbury states that it was in fact these people on the streets of Chicago that molded the early skyscraper designs. The Monadnock was designed without surface ornamentation. The Architects Burnham & Root understood that the people moving around on the streets were maintaining a  pace that no longer allowed time to enjoy the surface ornament. Instead of surface detail the architects molded and sculpted the brick in way that could be appreciated by the the new urban population.The Reliance building was the first of it's kind. Being that it did not bear the weight of the structure, the curtain frame allowed for large panels of glass.  These glass panels combined with the use of a pale terra cotta created a surface that appeared stark and clean. The structure housed Doctor and Dentist offices. The  hygienic appearance that resulted created a contrast between the sterile offices and the polluted city down below.

Monadnock

Second City

            The term second city, intended to be derogatory, may have had an opposite effect. Rather than discouraging Chicagoans it inspired them to exceed their reputation. Being second to New York city pushed Chicago to be bigger and better. Being the underdog made Chicago search for new ways to surpass the designs happening elsewhere. Doing what everyone else was doing would not put them on top, rather they had to be innovative and make designs that were unlike anything anyone had seen before.

reverberations

Design has a way of repeating itself and there are many variations to this cycle. Some pieces of the cycle are present for extended amounts of time where as other come and pass more quickly.  In most cases it is not possible to look at a design with out seeing implications from a design that the preceded it. Technology advances and culture, influence design in a way that modifies what was produced by the former.

            When a design is revitalized it will not necessarily be an exact replica of what came before.  Borrowing from the past, in some cases, means an opportunity to elaborate and manipulate the design from which one is borrowing. Andrea Palladio was greatly influenced by Greeks and Romans and borrowed from them to create his own set of rules about architecture. What the Greeks and Romans reserved for sacred temples, Palladio re formed and applied to residential homes in Italy. Palladio wrote his rules for architecture and these writings found their way to the hands of American politicians. The books were able to make their way back over to America and in turn greatly influenced American Architecture. The White House and U.S. Capitol in Washington are reminiscent Palladio’s style. Even buildings that are being constructed today show signs of Palladian influence.

            In it’s formative years the United States were trying to form a National Style, one that would show who their great new nation was or who they wanted others to think they were. Classical styles influenced Palladio and now both the ancient styles and Palladio were influencing America. Public and government buildings showed obvious influence from classical styles. The buildings being constructed were a product of the culture.. The buildings were symbolic in nature and were meant to tell a story to those who encountered them. The story that America wanted to tell was one of strength and knowledge.   The state capitols, wanting a more pure version of architecture world base their designs more on what was done by the Greeks. The capitol was more inspired by Roman architecture.

            As time progresses people are beginning to explore the notion of merging more than one style in to a design. Borrowing from only one period at a time was less important. This openness, combined with trade routes created spaces that were more eclectic. Homes now had furnishings from foreign lands which provided a feature of globalization. The industrial revolution is making way for new innovations in design. Metal and glass allow for production on a larger scale than was possible before. Because of this revolution people are shifting away from anything they have seen in the past and becoming more imaginative. This time period also allowed for furniture designs that were more accessible. Furniture was being produced in anticipation of a purchase which was new concept.  

            What once was will be again. Sometimes it is a revitalization of the past, staying very true history. Other times a design is reformed, in hopes of creating something even better than what came before. Even as a reform occurs the reverberation of the past does not stray far from its origin. Sometimes as a result of reform a new set of rules are formed creating something new to inspire the next design. And thus, the cycle continues.  

           

                 

Dungan- Nequette/ Birmingham, AL