Modernisn In America

Modernism first came about in the 20th century with architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright, Irving Gill, Rudolph Schindler, Richard Neutra, William Lescaze, Philip Goodwin, Edward Stone, Walter Gropius, Marcel Breuer, Mies van der Rohe, Philip Johnson, Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, Eero Saarinen. There were many architects and designers that were notable and influential. With Frank Llyod Wright being one of the most dominant and my favorite. Although Frank Lloyd Wright has accomplished may houses throughout his career, Wright's most famous houseof his collection is Fallingwater in Pennsylvania that was built for the Kaufmann family.

The Millard House was built in Pasadena, California using concrete as his new staple building material. Just like with the Hollyhock house, Wright was moving away from the Prairie Style homes and moving more into the Textile Block homes.

Rudolph Schindler also worked with Frank Lloyd Wright. Before they went their seperate ways, The Schindler House was buil as a cooperative living and work space for Schindler and Richard Neurta's families. Neurta was a designer who built the Lovell House after he establishes his own practice in 1926. Neurta was an expert at working with glass, steel and stone.Those were also the materials used to build the Lovell and Kaufmann House. Walter Gropius makes another appearance in America other than in Art Deco style. He started his own firm that allowed the first modern buildings on the Harvard Campus.

Modern applications:

Discussion: For this period I read Emily N’s blog, where she talked about Wright’s Falling Water. I also read Flor’s blog. She went into great detail about Frank Lloyd Wright and Irving Gill. She had information about Gill’s Dodge House and La Jolla Women’s Club, as well as Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hollyhock House. Video:

Art Deco

The Art Deco era began in France and came to the US and other European countries at the beginning of World War II. Art Deco was strongly influenced by Art Nouveau. This period had a fashion oriented style, includeing skyscraper furniture. Art Deco consisted of decorative patterns such as chevron shapes, zig-zags, African tribal art, large mirrors and the use of lighting fixtures called attention to modern materials. Furniture design was a major factor in Art Deco design. Ebony, zebrawood with inlays of ivory, tortoise-shell, leather, polished metals, mirrors and glass all make up the rich materials of furniture.

Jean Dunand was a major furniture designer during this time. He moved more toward the geometric forms in his furniture. In his factory he produced cabinets, chairs and tables. He also decorated for the wealthy with his own furniture. In his factory he produced cabinets, chairs and tables. He also decorated for the wealthy with his own furniture. Eileen Gray was an expert in lacquer who designed highly original furniture that was cubist in character.

Gordon Russel. He was an Art Deco furniture designer and spokesman for British design. Also, he was responsible for an exhibition room at the Paris Exposition of 1937.

Modern Applications:

Discussion: For this period, I enjoyed how Allison's blog talked about the comfortability in the furniture for the human body. I also liked how Emily discussed the symmetrical pattern characteristics and the repetition of this design. Video: