Peer Reviews: Modernism.

Emma: I thought she did a good job of touching on each of the main architects of the modernism movement. I also really liked Emma's second choice for her modern day example of Modernism.

Happy: I love how happy made a lot of detailed lists, it made the material easy to understand and helped keep the blog post on point. Also, the imperial hotel in Japan looks really cool!

Modernism.

Modernism emerged between the 1900s- 1950s with Art Nouveau and and Prarie Style being the main inspiration and contributors to the new modernism design. There were a lot of new technological contributions during this time period; skyscrapers, cars, trains, photography, and moving pictures. This new, forward thinking design was very much anti-historical and became pro-industrial, with functionality being one of their main concerns.

International Style: International Style was a design form during the 1920s and 1930s and the main points you can take from 'International Style' includes "the expression of volume rather than mass, the emphasis on balance rather than preconceived symmetry, and the expulsion of applied ornament".
                Characteristics of International Style: 

• simplification of form
• rejection of ornamentation
• glass, steel, and concrete as preferred materials
• transparency of buildings
• acceptance of industrialized mass productions

               International Style Architects:

• Frank Lloyd Wright- American
• Walter Gropius- German; Style: Unornamented, functional, and industrial feel
• 
• Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe- German; Design features: Onyx marble screen, Structural elements had a mirror polished steel
• Le Corbusier- France; most know for urban design

Modern Day Examples:

Frank Lloyd Wright.

Frank Lloyd Wright was born in Wisconsin in 1867 and became an educator, writer, and architect who designed and completed over 500 structures. He began his architectural work with Louis Sullivan, however, they did not enjoy working together, which caused Wright to branch out on his own and start up his own architectural firm.



Wright was very much influenced by the Arts and Crafts Movement, which makes sense since it was a popular moment during this time. Eventually, Wright matured in his designs and formed the Prairie Style which he is most famous for today. Some aspects of the Prairie style were long, low to the ground structures, shallow, sloping roofs, overhangs and a lot of unfinished materials.



Wright would also design some of the interiors inside the homes, such as lighting, furniture, and stained glass, that fit along with his own architectural designs.


Modern Day Examples:

Peer Reviews: Protomodernism.

Rachael: She did a really nice job of giving a detailed background of the design period. I also really liked the interior she chose for her modern day example.

Angie: I appreciated how she touched on several different aspects of the protomodernism design, since there are a lot of different movements within it.

Protomodernism.

Protomodernism was the beginning of the Modernism and it involved a lot of experimentation with forms and ideas. A concern for Protomodernism was making sure that they had high quality products that they could also mass produce. The Victorian era had a lot of mass production however the quality of their design was quite poor. The Arts and Crafts movement involved a lot of high quality work, however there was no mass production due to the individual craftsmanship. The Protomodernism tried to combine the best qualities of post design periods so that the population could enjoy good quality design.

Josef Hoffman: Was an architect and designer for 50 years who specialized in textiles, furniture, metal and glass work.
Morris Chair-

 

Kubus Chair-



Palais Stoclet-



Modern Day Examples:

Peer Reviews: Art Nouveau.

Alecia: I liked how she focused on one of the major influential people of the movement and gave some history background.

Allysia: I think she did a really good job of giving the characteristics of this movement; she gave a very good description and I feel very informed on the design style.

Art Nouveau.

Art Nouveau is personally, my favorite design style; I love the swirls and creative style of this design. Art Nouveau began around 1900 and this design style was very much inspired by nature, being organic, and William Morris.



Some characteristics of Art Nouveau were the rejection of the Victorian style, use of iron and glass, electric lighting, paintings and sculptures, and the nature inspired designs.

Belgium and France lead the Art Nouveau movement.

Victor Horta: Belgian architect and designer who was very involved with this moment and a very influential designer. Some of Horta's key elements were iron railings, mosaic tile on the floors, and stenciled walls and ceilings.




Modern Day Examples: