CHAPTER ONE

MODERN ARCHITECTURE
The concept of modernism Gains global popularity especially after the Second World War. The term is
often applied to modernist movements at the turn of the 20th century, with efforts to reconcile the
principles underlying architectural design with rapid technological advancement and the modernization
of society.

 Modernism~ Postmodernism~ Neo-modernism

Modern architecture is generally characterized by simplification of form and creation of ornament

from the structure and theme of the building.

Notable or influential architects

 Frank Lloyd Wright
 Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
 Le Corbusier
 Oscar Niemeyer
 Alvar Aalto
 Walter Gropius
 Louis I Kahn

Common themes of modern architecture include:

• the notion that "Form follows function", a dictum originally expressed by Frank Lloyd Wright's early
mentor Louis Sullivan, meaning that the result of design should derive directly from its purpose

• simplicity and clarity of forms and elimination of "unnecessary detail"

• visual expression of structure (as opposed to the hiding of structural elements)

• the related concept of "Truth to materials", meaning that the true nature or natural appearance of a
material ought to be seen rather than concealed or altered to represent something else

• use of industrially produced materials, adoption of the machine aesthetic

• particularly in International Style modernism, a visual emphasis on horizontal and vertical lines

1.1. Chicago School and the invention of the sky-scrapper

a. Chicago School (1880-1890)
skyscrapers constructed between the early 1880s and the early 1890s were:

 monuments signifying the emergence of the modern style.

 monuments to the institutions that powered the incredible economic growth of the United
States.
However, in modernist architectural histories the association between the form of these buildings and
their economic function was not much discussed.

” Form follows function” has become “form follows finance.”

From its first appearance in the 1880s the skyscraper was

 the subject of an ideological battle,

 the symbol of capitalism’s triumph or (achievement)
 it was also the target of anti-capitalist protest.

Chicago School ARCHITECTURE style is also known as Commercial style.

Unique characteristics of Chicago School

 Chicago School window grid

 the use of steel-frame buildings with masonry cladding (usually terra cotta),
 allowing large plate-glass window areas
 the use of limited amounts of exterior ornament.

Chicago School skyscrapers contain the three parts of a classical column:

 The first-floor functions as the base,

 The middle stories, usually with little ornamental detail, act as the shaft of the column, and
 The last floor or so represent the capital, with more ornamental detail and capped with a
cornice.
 If we review the characteristics of Chicago Style, the most important items were as follows:

 Use of new material, new building techniques

 Elimination of historical ornaments
 Inventive and fresh surface decoration
 Expression of structure
 Use of three-part structure like that of a classical column
 Expression of building’s commercial purpose (Its FUNCTION)

b. Home-insurance, 1885

Designed by: William Le Baron Jenney (engineer)

First skyscraper in the world. ten-story Home Insurance Building in Chicago.

The building was the first fully metal-frame skyscraper,

It was built from 1884 to 1885, enlarged in 1891, and demolished in 1931.
  used metal columns and beams.
 The steel needed to support the Home Insurance Building weighed only one-third as much as a
ten-story building made of heavy masonry- the weight of the building was reduced.
 solved the problem of fireproof construction for tall buildings by using masonry, iron, and terra
cotta flooring and partitions.

Was a whole new building type: utilitarian, functional, effective, multistorey buildings that express
externally their skeletal frame and emphasize verticality.

They tried to build “standing,” but at the same time aesthetically “pleasing,” buildings.

LOUIS SULLIVAN (1856-1924)

considered as the father of American Modern architecture.

He saw that the new vertical towers demanded wholly a new aesthetic.

Therefore, the exteriors of his designs echoed: not only the building’s function, but its interior skeleton.
He was believing in the necessity to create a national architecture.

He rejected antique styles but did not avoid using ornamentation- “Ornament, when creative,
spontaneous, is a perfume.”

1.2. Art Nouveau and Succession, Arts and Crafts

Art Nouveau and Succession
The Art Nouveau movement and Vienna Secession intersect in the early 20th century. But they were
both very different in style and popularity.

items produced in the style of Art Nouveau- were organic in shape and detail.

items produced during the Vienna Secession- were fully geometric in design and pattern.

Art Nouveau

allowed people to experience and feel design rather than just viewing it.

Was greatly influenced by Japanese art and design.

Emile Galle played a very influential role. Galle:

 looked for inspiration from nature.

 he liked to include symbolism.
 He wanted the viewers interpretation of the piece to be both from an artistic and psychological
standpoint.
 His glass work set the pace for renewing the world's interest in such artistic pieces.
Art Nouveau have a Characteristics of
 its characteristic floral ornaments, flowing lines, use of symbolic figures and geometric forms.
 Moved away from imitation of real subject and moved towards flowing and twisting lines of
nature.
 United flowing, natural forms with more angular contours.
 Art Nouveau designers also believed that all the arts should work in harmony to create a “total
work of art” Inspired by the lines and shapes of nature.

Best Exemplary Buildings and designs of art nouveau

a. The Hotel Tassel or Tassel House

Tassel House is a town house built by Victor Horta in located at 6, Rue Paul-Emile Jansonstraat in
Brussels.

considered as the first true Art Nouveau building, because of its highly innovative plan and its
groundbreaking use of materials and decoration.

It is put on the 'UNESCO World Heritage List' in 2000.

Horta did not see this building as a total break with the past, the stone exterior includes consoles,
moldings, and columns of classical architecture.

New ways of bldg.-

 Instead of stone, the columns are of iron.

 Also, Horta created the building’s façade as smooth and fluid, unlike the articulated planes of
classical buildings.
 In the interior, there is the delicacy and curving “femineity” of a rococo drawing room.

 the detailing was alloyed by the modernity in the choice of materials and their interpretations as
plant forms.
  Two light wells filled the rooms with natural light, and the floor plans had a fluid and
asymmetrical flow.

elements of his total design

o designing all interior décor elements

o The stair rails.
o painted wall decoration.
o the mosaic flooring,
o light fixtures,
o hardware and
o door handles

Vienna Secession
was led by a specific group rather than individuals.

Wiener Werkstatte organization was founded in 1903. Its purpose was to bring aesthetic design to
Austria.

A common motif seen in these pieces was a series of cutouts creating a pattern.

b. Casa Batlló

o the interior has been refurbished on several occasions since his own work was completed.
o The overall style of this building is truly organic.
o with very few straight lines to be found anywhere.
o The shapes curve from one feature to the next, typical of an artist who openly admitted that
nature and God were his biggest inspirations behind his unique approach to architecture and
design.

Arts and Crafts

Origins
The Arts and Crafts Movement originated in Britain as a response to the degrading nature of 19C
industrial production, following the ideas of John Ruskin and the practice of William Morris asserting
the importance of individual creativity.

William Morris’ modern art movements- in response to the negative social and aesthetic consequences
of the Industrial Revolution.

He founded the design firm of Morris, Marshal/, Faulkner & Co to recreate manual craftsmanship in the
era of mass production. was a commercial success BUT only rich people could afford his designs.

The Arts and Crafts Movement was primarily concerned with architecture and the decorative arts,
including stained glass, wallpaper, textiles, furnishings, printed fabrics (chintzes), furniture, wood
carving, metalwork, ceramics, jewelers and mosaic art.

The Arts & Crafts Movement opened the door for Art Nouveau in Europe inspired:

o Swiss architect Le Corbusier (1887- 1965),

o Walter Gropius (1883- 1969) and his Bauhaus Design School in Germany (1919- 33)
o the Union des Artistes Modernes (UAM) in France.
o C.R.Mackintosh and the Glasgow School of painting.: 1880-1915.

1.2. History of Organic architecture

The term organic architecture embraces a colorful variety of architectural approaches and
expressions which developed in different places at the beginning of the 20th century.
The main tool for architects working towards organic architecture, is clay.
The smooth lines of organic architecture are not a fad/Vague/, but a follow up natural human
movements in space.

ORIGINS OF ORGANIC ARCHITECTURE

Initially, Viollet-le-Duc’s and Ruskin’s publications gained popularity in the USA.

 Basically, organic architecture was coined/Invented/ by Frank Lloyd Wright (1867–1959), though
never so articulated by his cryptic style of writing: His saying on Organic architecture to avoid
miss understanding is (Be warned this word ‘organic’ is like the word ‘nature’. If taken in a sense
too biological, it would not be what it is: light in darkness; it would be a stumbling block.”
[Wright, 1958: 160]

“Organic Architecture” is also known as “Bionic Architecture”.

BIONIC ARCHITECTURE refers to a movement of design and construction of expressive building

whose layout and lines are borrowed by NATURE.

Vernacular architecture was innately organic, as vernacular architecture is based on natural form
structure and simple local material. Inspired by the proverb “FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION”.
 Wright wrote that, "organic architecture... is a sentient, rational building that would owe its 'style' to
the integrity with which it was individually fashioned to serve its particular purpose - a 'thinking' as
well as 'feeling' process."

" Before his death, he outlined again a few of many different principles that would define or
represent that ideal:

 Building and Site

 Materials
 Shelter
 Space- "The reality of the building does not consist of the roof and the walls but the space
within to be lived in," said Wright.
 Proportion and Scale.
 Nature
 Repose- Quiet, serene, tranquil space is a fitting environment for human growth.
 Grammar
 Ornament
 Human Values.
 Simplicity
 Mechanical Systems and Furnishings.

"The complete goal of the ideal of organic architecture is never reached.”

PRINCIPLES OF ORGANIC ARCHITECTURE AND CHARACTERISTICS OF DESIGN FEATURES

Organic architecture promotes harmony between human habitation and the natural world through
design approaches so sympathetic and well-integrated with its site.

 literal relationship to the natural surroundings

 reflecting the symbiotic ordering systems of nature
 Is characterized by, living in, or being a close physical association (as in mutualism or
commensalism) between building and the surrounding.

COMMONLY KNOWN ORGANIC ARCHITECTURE PRINCIPLES FOR BUILDING DESIGN

 A respect for nature and natural materials

 There is no room for bad building design as any organic building is being inspire by nature and
build with principles of organic architecture.
 Blending/ Combining/ building design to its surrounding environment
 Organic Building Principles are bringing us closer to nature. creating a sustainable ecosystem.
 have little or no negative impact on the natural environment.
 An honest expression of the function of the buildings.

organic building designs emphasize the following principles:

• Integration of parts to the whole.

• The design of parts controls the design of the whole.

 WHY ORGANIC ARCHITECTURE AS A DESIGN PRACTICE?

 Encourage Safer Development

 Democratic Rule of Development
 Reduces the Risk on the Environment
 Eliminate the Concept of Similar Building Design
 Real Passion for Nature
 The bedrock for sustainable architecture

Sustainability in architecture is achieved by green building and following core principles of organic
architecture design approach. To fully achieve a well-designed and well-built sustainable building.
Organic architecture principles must be fully incorporated into such design.

As per the fundamental principles of organic architecture:

 Building designs must be able to stand alone and rely on its unique of form.
 Organic building designs must look like they grow from their environment that these structures
were built in.

Best examples of organic architecture buildings

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