Emergence of Modernism

Robie House

 This movement has really shaped architecture ad design for today. The use of organic style, horizontal line, and using different materials was brought out during this period and today. Frank Lloyd Wright is one designer that is most influential til to this day. I like how he really  brings out nature into his designs. Growing up in Springfield, Illinois I was fortunate enough to be exposed to one of Frank Lloyd Wright's design, the Dana Thomas House. In this house the use of arches horizontal lines, and detail ornamentation show fabulously. Below are some of his designs that I find most intriguing.

Dana Thomas House

Falling water House

Another influential architect and designer as Miles van de Rohe. He created this house as a weekend home for his mistress. This house is one room which introduced the open floor plan concept. It is located in Plano, Illinois in which you can experience the great outdoors of the Midwest because the walls are all glass. I really love how you can see nature anyhere you stand. It truly is spectaculiar. 

Farnsworth House

Current Applications: 

You can tell how Frank Lloyd Wright and Miles van de Rohe influenced today's design and architecture. 

This week I looked at Rachel and Natalie's blog. In Rachel's blog I really liked how she went into great detail of Frank Lloyd Wright and her pictures of his work. I also liked how he talked about his furniture as well. In Natalie's blog I really liked how she looked at the Unity Temple. I also liked her current applications that she used.

Deutscher Werkbund Movement

Deutscher Werkbund translation: German workshop was originated in Munich, Germany. This movement was equivalent to the Arts and Crafts Era. It was a protest against artistic embellishment. Their purpose was to have the highest quality design to the mass production output. This movement set the stage for the International Style and the Art Deco. One most famous piece of architecture that really stuck out to me was the Werkbund exhibition. The use of line in this piece is exquisite! They used line to create different shapes such as the diamond. I love the dome shape, the elaborate glass walls, and obviously the diamond shapes.

One architect and designer who's work is very fascinating is Joseph Olbrich. He design more geometric buildings with elaborate designs and color. I love how he uses white and gold together giving his pieces a Grecian look to them. Here are a couple of his pieces.

 



Succession Exhibition Building

In the Ernest Ludwig House I love how he uses royal blue with the brick steps along with the statues.

Ernest Ludwig House



I found two different pieces of furniture very interesting. Both of these pieces are very different yet their use of line and craftsmanship are outstanding. First is the Café Museum Chair designed by Adolf Loos. I love the dark wood and the curvilinear structure.

The second chair is the Armloffel Chair designed by Josef Hoffmann. I love the angular, rectangle shape along with the ebonized ash wood. It is very elegant in a more modern way.

Today's Applications:

Student's Blog: 

Looking at Sammy's blog I liked how she talked about Gustav Klimt and how he used gold paint to add dramatic effects to his paintings. Her representation of his piece was nicely done as well. It really showed how he uses the gold paint for dramatic effects. Also, I looked at Rachel's blog in which I really liked how she tied Josef Hoffman's furniture into her current applications. She also does a great job of explaining the Werkbund exhibition. 

Here is a video that shows the effect of architecture post World War II.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W85EjCHTk2Q 



Arts and Crafts

The Arts and Crafts era is very interesting and inspiring to me as a designer. Unlike the Victorian era people were more concerned on the function of their furniture and designs rather than the display or design of the elements. Many of the Artsand Crafts characteristics were hand made designs, visible wood joints, medieval designs, and oak wood. Here are some examples of furntiure and designs from this period.








Current Applications: Frank Lloyd Wright's Dana Thomas house is an Arts and Crafts inspired home located today in Springfield, Illinois that really is intriguing.
 

Heres a short video that I thought was interesting and a great tour of the Arts and Crafts Era.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBq73yxha0o

The American period

During the 1776 and up to until 1789 France and the United States overthrew their monarchs at the same time. They became allies at the beginning of the 19th century. What inspired me the most about this period was the beautiful craftsmanship. We do not see many of these designs today because machines can do the work. Neoclassic design represented their political aspirations. arm chairs had curved armrests and straight. Many of the Neoclassical motifs included lyres, harps, and crown of laurel leaves. Duncan Phyfe was a famous designer and craftsman during this time period. He was known for the daybed and his skilled carvings. Below are a couple of his most famous works of art.

 

Another important design element during this period is the Shaker style. This type of style includes elegant simplicity and superb craftsmanship. Round barns, cast iron stoves, and ladder back chairs were another feature to the Shaker Style.

 

Today's Applications:

 

 

 

 

Other Student's Blog:

 

Looking at Dana's blog I really liked how she compared two different types of houses yet they were both a part of the American Period. She went into great detail of how the American Period was a clash of many different periods which was true and very important.

I also looked at Lindsey's blog in which I like how she described the Dutch style home. These types of homes had steep roves with decorative brick on the exterior of the house. We see this style of homes today. I also liked her current applications.

 

Video:

This video goes more in depth about the art of the Shaker Style and how this style is incorporated in design and architecture today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwA9JoL4BxE 

English: Mid Renaissance

The Mid Renaissance of the English period fascinated me the most. Starting from the 1600s to 1750 was when this time period began and moved onto the late Renaissance. At 1666 there was a great fire in England that burned a large section of London. Sir Christopher Wren stepped up to the plate and created new designs for England. He invented the new baroque, urban design. His designs were greatly influenced by the French. One of the new chateaux he built was the St. Paul's Cathedral in London. Below are images of the St. Paul's Cathedral:
    


One woman who humored me with her stubbornness and lack of interest was Queen Anne. She was neither interested nor influential to interior design. She was interested more on social living such as tea or coffee drinking. However she was influenced by trading. She traded with the Chinese for furniture, lacquer, Chinese porcelain, corner display cabinet, tea, and tea tables. In addition, she traded with Cuba for mahogany. Mahogany was very useful because it was easier to work with than walnut, firmer and has less difference in grain, and absorbs polish better. Queen Anne then became influential to design. Her design elements included: curved lines as dominating motif, Chinese structure for furniture, elegant and graceful, and the cabriole leg. The cabriole leg chair was influential and we see it everywhere today in our furniture.



Modern Applications:
 

Other Student's Blog:

In Dana's blog, I really liked how she explained the three separate periods during the English Renaissance. Also, she explained her current applications in which I learned that the Hepplewhite chair have straight, slender legs, backs are curved, and contain intricate designs. She did a great job of showing how the late English Renaissance is current today.
Looking at Ariana's blog, I liked how she pointed out that the English period was influenced by the Italian Renaissance in which I did not know about. She explained the Tudor style home which had wood framing. I really liked her pictures for showing us what a Tudor home actually looks like.

Going into further explanation of St. Paul's Cathedral is this short video. Check it out!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miQif-h1f_k

French Renaissance

The French Renaissance is different from the previous periods because design in this era was dependent on the ruler of the time. In other countries, design was based upon religious and political histories. Royal "taste was determined by the ruler. France was central to Romanesque and Gothic periods. The French Renaissance was mainly influenced by the Italian Renaissance. The ornamaniste  or decorator was becoming a profound profession. This position required to be skilled in explaining design concepts to the client and also be able to design harmonious and luxury rooms. In this period the exterior was beginning to be important and the sprawling of chateaux's were being built rather than churches or religious centers. One of the most important chateaux of this time was the Chateau de  Chambord, built by Francois I. It started off as a hunting lodge then expanded tremendously throughout he monarchy years into what it is now. The interior was also partly designed by Leonardo Da Vinci. It was said that he created the double-helix startcase located in the center of this structure. The fluer-de-lis was a very important design element that was an inspiration in this work of art.

Chateaux de Chambord

 Below is a picture of the interior of the Chateaux de Chambord.







                                      



  

Another important chateau during the French Renaissance was the Chateau de Fontainebleu. It's known for its large structure, formal gardens, lakes, fountain, and elaborate interiors.




 
We see French Renaissance inspired homes everyday. Here are some examples:

Other Student's Blog: 

One blog that I looked at was Ariana's blog. She did an excellent job of pointing out that interior design was becoming a profession. She explained the reign of Francois I in the Chateaux de Chambord and how Chateaux de Chambord was at first a hunting lodge and was left unfurnished.

I also looked at Flor's blog. She really explained this new design during the French Period. This new design featured simpler materials, less ornamentation, and a preference of symmetry. Designer started using more woods and monochromatic textiles.

Video:
Here is a video that goes more in depth of the Chateaux de Chambord. Hope you enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQz8smJxF3I