Historical Design Analysis essay
Modernism, as a new trend in artistic practice, appeared in the early 20th century. Modernism played a special role in the development of artistic consciousness; it meant a complete break with previous trends of art (Home & Design, 2012). Culture of modernism was associated with permanent artistic search. Different artistic trends developed in parallel within modernism and were perceived as equal. Architectural modernism includes the following areas: constructivism, rationalism, functionalism and styles: international, Deco and brutalism. Representatives of artistic circles tried to convey a new sense of life into art. The main emphasis of modernism in architecture is the novelty. The main features of architectural modernism are: the use of modern building materials and constructions, rational layout, escape from the idea of excessive “embellishment”, international character.
Neutra VDL House and Studio was designed by Richard Neutra and his son Dion Neutra and built in 1932. It is located in Los Angeles on Silver Lake Boulevard. Richard Neutra was a modernist architect, his distinctive feature was that he took into account the requirements of customers without imposing personal opinions. Before starting working on a project, Richard Neutra identified key preferences of a customer. Originally Neutra VDL House and Studio was built for architect’s Neutra family. Neutra tried to make a comfortable design so that every member of his family felt free (Hay, 2000).
Such a desire is associated with the era in which the house was built. Modernism is characterized by a complete update of artistic forms and approval of new beginnings. Modernism in architecture is associated with the concept of “modern architecture.” Richard Neutra is the main representative of architects of the modern age. Representatives of this trend are supporters of free layouts and personal character of buildings. This explains the strict adherence to the customer’s requirements. After all, everyone is individual in nature, respectively, all have different preferences. Modernism is a reaction to copy styles from the past. It is characterized by clear, flowing lines.
In Neutra VDL House and Studio, the authors used natural lighting resources. Bright light in the house is provided by the glass walls, so there were no barriers to the sunlight. Windows are located on the facade as continuous horizontal bands, so-called “glazing tape.” The use of glass is one of the main features of functionalism. The main materials used by modernist architects were concrete and glass. Glass is the main material for constructivists as well, along with wood and metal. Layout of the house was carefully planned. All parts of the building are rational, which is quite understandable. Here we can see the influence of rationalism, which is based on the concept of “reason”. Functionalism also required architect to account functioning of the building, which was achieved through the creation of a rational plan and equipment. The building doesn’t have interference between different areas of the house. Functionalism welcomes the absence of superfluous detail lacking a functional purpose. Rooms are arranged around an open staircase, furniture is built in that stores space. Built-in furniture is also the guarantee of “mitigation of space,” it hides sharp corners. The architect has used a neutral color that visually expands space. Functionalists use in their works gray, yellow and white colors. Richard Neutra avoids dark colors that inhibit human and cause depression. Bright colors blend in the room. Psychologists explain that pastel colors fill the human with energy. Contemporaries call Neutra VDL House and Studio “House – force”, in their opinion, the strength of the design is harmonious combination of air, water and light. Neutra’s work is characterized by a combination of lightness and airiness, and the presence of the lake adds the third element (Castro, 2012). The architect also uses typical geometric proportions, which correspond to functionalism. Strict regularity and bold geometric shapes are a hallmark of al-decor, which can be traced in modernism. In the work of modernist architect, basic principles of constructivism are clearly visible: understanding the formative features of the new technology, its logical, feasible designs. In the construction of the building, Richard Neutra used metal, such design allowed the author using a large amount of glass. Comfort in the house was also made by living plants, which were inside and outside the builing.
In March 1963, the building was damaged in a fire, entire architectural collection was destroyed along with the house. Son of Richard Neutra – Dion Neutra restored the building trying to save its original appearance. In 2008 the building was renovated by Cal Poly Pomona, they restored the roof, wiring, repaired walls, doors and ceilings, took care of the garden. Neutra VDL House and Studio was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Today the building is open for tours and is very popular among visitors, as it is one of the best examples of modernism (Kanner, 1992).
The 20th century was marked by changes in the outlook, which was a result of changes in economy, politics, ideology, culture and other areas. Economics was influenced by the transition to machinery manufacturing, scientific and technological revolution. Industrialization, as a process of accelerated socio- economic transition from a traditional to an industrial stage of development, has been associated with the development of new technologies. People get an idea of the fastest use of new technologies and scientific discoveries. Speaking about the architecture of modernism, it should be noted that technical and industrial revolution of the XIX century was its main source and inspire. Aggravation of social contradictions on the turn of centuries contributed to the emergence of modernism in architecture. At the first congress of architects in 1892-1895, participants criticized eclecticism – system that combined various ideas borrowed from other philosophical systems. Already in that period, people got interest in the rapidly developing technology, new designs and types of buildings. Modernism destructed classical traditions. The main features of modernist aesthetic strategy were the autonomy of art and an emphasis on the art form. Architectural modernism took the latest scientific and technological and industrial progress as a basis. It also used advanced social reformist ideas of the time. Modernist architects opposed simplicity to ostentation bourgeois life. Development of modernism significantly contributed to the achievement of the metallurgical industry and the emergence of new building materials. Possibility of metal greatly influenced the work of modernist architects. Movements of «Arts & Crafts» in the UK and industrial expansion in Germany have played an important role in the development of new directions of art (“Spring Fashion Issue, 2000). Postmodernism followed modernism; it was an independent direction in art, signifying a radical break with the paradigm of modernism. Postmodernists sought to add imagination, figurative associations and fudge to the architectural works. But both directions were in constant search for new forms.
Do you like this essay?
Our writers can write a paper like this for you!
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading...