Post Modernism/Deconstruction/Contemporary

Known by its many names, this period of style replaced the International Style. The post modernism was a period that allowed for countries to share different different design styles easier. There was multiple influential individuals who played a huge role in the post modernism period. One being Louis I. Kahn, who expressed concern on the relationship between materials and light. Another architect Cesar Pelli, who designed some of the worlds tallest buildings. As the profession developed so did technology. New technology was one of the main components of modern design, it including finishes/materials such as steel, concrete, and glass. Design based on technology is known as Hi Tech. Professionals such as Richard Buckminister Fuller, Charles Eames, Renzo/ Richard Rogers, Norman Foster, James Stirling, and Robert Venturi played a great role in Hi-Tech design.

Cambridge University 

James Stirling 

Richard Buckminster Fuller 

Norman Foster

Alot of this period dealt with looking at its environment/surroundings and designing from there. The New York Five was a group of architects that used white throughout all their works. These five architects included Peter Eisenman, Michael Graves, Charles Gwathmey, John Hejduk and Richard Meier. 

Another design style that used "broken up, loosely assembled parts and elements that were seemingly torn apart and reassembled in chaos was known as the deconstructivism period. 

These periods eventually lead to LEED design and making buildings LEED certified.Which hopefully I will be able to form a group and start studying for it soon. 

I really enjoyed looking at this period of design because it relates so similar to what we see today. 

Peer Discussion 

I read Katie's Blog and I enjoyed how she related this period so much to Normal, and I was able to relate and know that I have seen all of these buildings around. I also read Allison's Blog and enjoyed how she explained the contemporary design period.

Video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlVseOWToL4

I think that this video depicted what LEED is about and showed how design has changed so much and the new things that have been created to develop this profession as a whole.

Rise of the Decorator

During the Art Deco period the Rise of the Profession of a Decorator began in Paris. The Rise of the Decorator included the theory of functionalists. This period helped out the interiors of individuals who were wealthy and wanted their houses to reflect their status. There were three main designers of many in this movement Elsie de Wolfe, Dorothy Draper, and Billy Baldwin.

Pearls of Wisdom

Elsie de Wolfe

Elsie de Wolfe started her career off as an actress and redirected her career plans as an interior designer. She revamped the Victorian interiors and made them into bright spaces while using French furniture. The separation between interior designer and an architect was distinguished. 

Lady of the Moment 

Elsie de Wolfe

Dorothy Draper 

Dorothy Draper whose work is still used as inspiration today was an excellent interior design. She combined traditional and non-traditional furniture. She had a very fun and aesthetics that I enjoyed in all of her interiors. 

Billy Baldwin not only designed for the middle class but he also designed for famous clients. He believed that "Nothing was interesting unless it is personal". 

Billy Baldwin

I really enjoyed looking at the Rise of the Decorator period. It was very interesting to look at. 

Current Applications:

We see the use of bright colors and details throughout this interior. 

Peer discussion!

I reviewed Paige S blog, it was very interesting to see the chairs that she included that went alone with the rise of the decorator period. I enjoyed how she also connected those chairs to her current application chairs. I also reviewed Nichole K. blog on Modernism part 2., I enjoyed her current application images and how they related so well to the period. 

Video! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7_cycJBTPg

Continued Modernism in America

In between World War I and World War II  there was a group of successful architects that came over to America. By these architects coming over to America it allowed them to express themselves by doing what they loved. Architects such as Irving Gill, Frank Lloyd Wright, Rudolph Schindler, Richard Neurta, William Lescaze, Philp Johnson, Mies Van Der Rhoe and many others influenced Modernism in America, the use of glass and natural elements characterized Modernism in America. We see the use of bring natural elements into many structures, they did this a lot of times by using there surroundings as inspiration.

Philp Johnson, Glass Water

Frank Lloyd Wright, Falling Waters

As Modernism continued throughout America we see many "veterans" become educators and mentors to up and coming architects. 

Current Applications:

These interiors and exteriors reminded me of the continued Modernism period in America for its use of glass and just using its environment to create these spaces to be within its surrounding. 

The continued Modernism in America was a period I really enjoyed for its use of just simple yet very complexed designs. 

Peer Discussion 

I really enjoyed reading Flors Blog because she really gave great discussion of Modernism in America. Flors video in her blog was also very interested and I leaned more about the Glass House from watching it. 

Another Blog I really enjoyed was Sammy for her content in her Blog she really went through this period and explained in much detail the numerous individuals that played a part in this movement. 

Video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icTxDuxYPIk

Art Deco

In between World War I and World War II, Art Deco was a style of design that began in France. Art Deco was a fashion oriented style, it included skyscraper furniture,  geometric patterns and the use of reflected material. Since this style of design was inspired by the Art Nouveau period it was often looked at very differently. An architect from the Art Deco period, Michel Roux-Spitz included many elements in his work that influenced the Art Deco movement. Art Deco design also can be characterized by its use of rich materials (ebony, zebrawood, tortoise-shell, leather, polished metals, mirrors, and glass). Many figures from the Art Nouveau Movement began to incorporate Art Deco style within their work. We see this with Jean Dunand who was a figure in the Art Nouveau Movement, he moved toward this new style of design and began to use geometric forms. We also see this transition with Maurice Dufrene who was also a figure in the Art Nouveau movement, he designed furniture, textiles, glass work, metal work, and complete interiors.

Throughout time Art Deco design moved more towards modern art. This can be contributed to Jean-Michel Frank. Another influential individual from Art Deco was Eileen Gray, she had a long career in France. She designed furniture that was highly original, ingenious, and had cubist characteristics. During the Art Deco style of design there was many influential individuals and many places adopted this style of design.

During the Art Deco style of design a study on how humans interact with devices and environments, started the Industrial Design. Industrial Design blended Art Deco characteristics with streamline design. Industrial Design focused on products for industry. Art Deco then moved into residential design we see this in kitchens and bathrooms.

I really like the Art Deco style and it was very enjoyable and exciting to be able to incorporate this style in an actually project in Human Factors last semester!

Current Applications!

Peer Discussion! 

I read Emily and Allison Blog. In Emilys' blog, I loved the connection she made with Art Nouveau especially with the video she posted. Her video was very informative and connected well with the discussion. I also read Allisons' blog and loved her images of her current applications especially the one of the bathroom.  

Video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amVvYPU4Gw8 

The Emergence of Modernism

The Emergence of Modernism was a period of new direction of design. This movement was thought of as the originators of the "modern movement". There were four main architects Walter Gropius, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Le Corbusier, and Frank Lloyd Wright. One of the most influential architects, Frank Lloyd Wright designed over 1000 structures and completed 532 works. Many of Wrights work is located in Illinois. I am looking forward to being able to look at his in upcoming weeks.

Meaning "The Style" the De Stijl period included dutch artist, sculptors, architects and designers. The De Stijl period was from 1917-1927. De Stijl tired to express a new utopian ideal of spiritual harmony and order. This period was also about abstraction, simplifying visual work, and the use of vertical and horizontal directions. Throughout this period Gerrit Rietveld created multiple buildings and furniture.

A major architectural style that emerged in the 1920s and 1930s was described as the International style. The International style period included the same architects form the Emergence of Modernism period. Characteristics of the International style includes a radical simplification of a form, rejection of ornament, and use of materials such as glass, steel, and concrete. The philosophy behind the International style was about the honest expression of structure.


Current Applications:

Peer Discussion!

I read Sammy V and Flors Blog.  I really like Flor's current application images because you can clearly tell how it relates to the emergence of modernism. I also really like Sammy's Blog because of the way she explained and described this period. 

Video!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLHCYeswxuI

Deutscher Werkbund Movement 1892-1910

A protest against artistic establishments, the Deutscher Werkbund Movement began in 1892 in Munich, Germany by Herman Muthesus. It continues on to Vienna, Austria in 1898 and then to Berlin, Germany in 1899. The German Workshop which is the translation for The Deutscher Werkbund movement is considered to be equivalent to the Arts and Crafts Movement. It does differ in many ways from the Arts and Crafts Movement, such as instead of going against the use of machine, the Deutscher Werkbund movement embraced it. This movement included a professional design with product manufactures to help Germany keep up in the design world. The overall characteristics of the Deutscher Werbund were clean, simple, with the use of curvilinear lines.  The Deutscher Werkbund Movement eventually led to the International style and Art Deco style.

In 1903 Hoffmann established the Vienna workshop (Vienna Secession). To secede means to leave. Which made me think of the Vienna Session leaving towards something new. Which is exactly what the Vienna Secession was . The movement was idealistic, where artistic withdrew from academic, and protested against historicism. The Vienna Secession included individuals such as Olbrich, Klimt, Wagner, Loos, Huffmann, and Koloman Moser. The Vienna Secession included the Secession building which was a exhibition building designed by Joseph Olbrich, and included geometric forms and curvilinear artwork. Another influential individual during this time period was Gustav Klimt who was an Austrian symbolist painter. He believed that there should be a union between art and design, he also used gold paint to create a dramatic effect towards a subject. Some other very influential furniture designers =were Otto Wagner, Adolf Loos, Josef Hoffman, and Koloman Moser who all were also apart of the Vienna Secession as well. 

Current Applications...

The use of clean lines, curvilinear forms, and even the use of gold throughout the current applications, in my opinion depicted the Deutscher Werkbund Movement. 

Peer Discussion...

I really enjoyed how Sammy broke down the background of the Deutscher Werkbund, it was very informational blog. I also viewed Rachael blog, and I really like how she focused on Josef Hoffman's furniture for her current application.