Brutalism

Brutalism is a particular style which flourished between the 1950's to the mid 1970's. The term "Brutalism" is derived from  the French word " Beton brut" -which literally means "raw concrete". Many claim that this style started thanks to the modernist architect, Le Corbusier  who was very inclined in using concrete as the main material. During those times, one has to still keep in mind that many countries were still emerging from the effects of the Second World War in which it had brought a lot of destruction, especially the morale of the citizens.  People were experiencing very rough time in building their lives again, hence one can make  a similarity with the rough texture incorporated in such style as well as the raw material.

Additionally, Le Corbusier along many other architects believed that such style could solve the ever rising problem of social housing as well as there is a huge influence from the modernist era such as flat surfaces, lifted bases as well as abstract forms.

 Unite d’ Habitation by Le Corbusier, 1952

 This project was completed in 1952, and it was considered amongst the project of such scale and that it focused on communal living for all the inhabitants to shop, play, live and come together in this so called "vertical garden city ". This idea was based on bringing the villa within a larger volume that allowed the occupants to have their own space but at the same time they could easily enjoy their time together by gathering -something which was lacking back in the days due to the War Effect. An interesting fact about this structure is that the roof has a garden terrace that has a a running track, a club, a kindergarten, a gym and a very shallow pool.

 Hubert H. Humphrey Building by Marcel Breuer, 1977

Frank Gehry who's 87 years old, has designed unconventional angles for the stata center at MIT.

Stata center at MIT by Frank Gehry, 2004

A great influence from Frank Gehry's work of the Stata center building, are the wearable rings that Elizabeth Schmitt designed. The angles and curved design of both rings have the interpretation of the unfinished concrete texture surface. All the elements applied on the rings are very much alike to how Frank Gehry design.

Frank Gehry's wearable architecture by Elizabeth Schmitt, 2016

This 27 storey slab block building that Erno Goldfinger has built is under the Brutalist architecture design with the purpose of housing people. The most striking part about this structure is the composition of the floors packed over each other which makes it so distinctive from the surrounding buildings. There are also some adjacent blocks next to it and all three are connected  by bridges  at the third floor.

Trellic Tower in London

References:

Sparkle.com, 2016. Frank Gehry’s wearable architecture Sparkle. [online] Available at: http://www.sparkle.com/frank-gehrys-wearable-architecture-2/#.V1BKc5F96Uk [Accessed 2 June 2016]

Dezeen, 2014. The Dezeen guide to Brutalist architecture. [online] Available at: <http://www.dezeen.com/2014/09/10/dezeen-guide-to-brutalist-architecture-owen-hopkins/> [Accessed 2 June 2016]

Lee F. Mindel, F. 2016. 10 Buildings People Love to Hate but Shouldn’t Architectural Digest. [online] Architectural Digest. Available at: <http://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/brutalist-architecture-masterpieces> [Accessed 2 June 2016]

Medium, 2012. The Ugly-Beauty Of Brutalism — The Awl. [online] Available at: <https://theawl.com/the-ugly-beauty-of-brutalism-41ae4f80a683#.6fou9jqw2> [Accessed 2 June 2016]

Gothic Architecture

The Gothic style takes us back at the time between the 1100's and 1200's. Studying the architecture of the great medieval Gothic large scaled architecture, one could see how important and significant the Religious and Catholic value was in the buildings and structures all around Europe.

The Gothic style has seven characteristics, if one approaches a church or a place that is Gothic, one can easily recognize it from one of the elements listed down below.  

These are the famous startling grotesque gargoyles that we see on the Gothic cathedrals and churches. There are different types of gargoyles, some are water spouts, others have heraldic meaning and then there are the winged and fanged beasts designed to scare the evil spirits. 

Gargoyles

There are three dimensional detailed engraved sculptures in the triangular space of the pediment over the porch, that depicts Christ in glory surrounded by saints and angels. The Gothic architecture is highlighted as the first time that beauty and aesthetic values are incorporated into the building design.

Pointed Gothic Portal porch

If one can observe the interior of the cathedral, one can see the amount of light coming in from the two large stained glass rose windows specifically made and put in the north and south walls of transepts and between west front towers. These are filled with tracery and complex of stone, positioned to catch the best of the suns's rays, these create a kind of medieval magic lantern show with told bible stories.    

Lights and airy interior

Here we can spot another element of the pointed arches Gothic design. looking at the top one can see a tracery window that has been designed by Thomas and Regnault de Cormont and Robert de Luzarches, that illustrated the division of window arches in two. Looking further down, we find large pointed arches that strengthen and compliment the whole structure of the interior. In between one arch and another we can see these windows that were designed purposely to have three figures that represent religious beliefs.  

Pointed Arches

Looking at the vaulted ceiling of the Cologne cathedral found in Germany, which was in progress since 1248 and halted in 1743. To exceed the ornament of the cathedral the ceiling was designed to be vaulted, as it is utilised to spread force of the weight from the upper floors. This also gives an impression of a higher ceiling.

The vaulted ceiling

The vaulted ceiling style of the cologne cathedral has been influenced from the Basilica of saint Denis cathedral, which is found in France. The cathedral is considered to be the first Gothic church that has begun in 1144.  

St. Denis cathedral, France c.1130 

The flying buttresses were of an external support to the building and additionally, effectively it spreads the weight of the building structure, taking the weight off the walls and transfers the weight directly to the ground. The buttresses also define the extreme Gothic decorative design.

Flying Buttress, St Vitrus cathedral in Prague castle

One of the Gothic characteristics was its height, thanks to the buttresses use of technique they could build higher and taller, thus allowing the weight of the architecture to spread for a steady structure. This gave them more potential to reach up their beliefs to heaven.

Grand, tall Gothic Architecture

References:

Exploring-castles.com, 2016. The Seven Key Characteristics of Gothic Architecture: From the Gargoyle to the Flying Buttress. [online] Available at: <http://www.exploring-castles.com/characteristics_of_gothic_architecture.html> [Accessed 2 June 2016]

Encyclopedia.com, 2016. Robert de Luzarches Facts, information, pictures | Encyclopedia.com articles about Robert de Luzarches. [online] Available at: <http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Robert_de_Luzarches.aspx> [Accessed 2 Jun. 2016]

Glancey, J. 2006. Architecture. London: DK

Frank Lloyd Wright

Frank Lloyd Wright who's a significant American architect, interior designer, writer and educator had the greatest design influences in the United States of the first half of the twentieth century. He has designed over 1,000 structures and some over 500 of which were completed.

Wright also often designed the furniture, lighting fixtures, art glass, carpets, table linens, candle sticks, and many other items. Wright's decorative art, furniture, textile designs, and so on are being reputable and reproduced in today's market, helping to create a new wave of interest in the design of Frank Lloyd Wright.


One of the most finest architecture that Wright has designed is the falling water house. The building was built over a waterfall hidden deep in in wooded countryside between 1936 and 1939. The reinforced concrete house has been expensive to maintain and has also been in danger of serious structural failure, since it is shoved right into the rocks over where the water fall access. This house has a streamlined design. From all its responsibilities, it proves that its ultramodern style the design can enhance in the category of natural landscapes.

Falling Water by Frank Lloyd Wright, 1930's 

This is the interior design of the falling water house, the materials used were of wood, concrete and stone cladding. In the picture shown down below, the column is covered in stone cladding, this is to match the exterior environment with the interior. Observing the furniture design that most of it has been designed by Wright, looks like it is based on a modern artistic style, the sofa has it's own particular lavishness including the colours that are giving a fun colourful environment. The flagstone floors in the interiors are designed to be linked with the rock below of the architecture. 

Falling Water Interior Design by Frank Lloyd Wright, 1930's

More projects of Frank Lloyd Wright is the Willits' House, 1901. This was the first true Prairie style house that Wright has developed after lots of experimentation that he engaged through the years. The terms about the building Wright has occurred himself with the principles of the plan, structure, furnishings leaded glass and interior and exterior of Willit's house, all elements have a deluxe combination together.  

Willits House by Frank Lloyd Wright, 1901

Wright said: ''the influence of the prairie, is firmly and broadly associated with the site''. 

Looking at another interior design of a house that Wright has designed at the time of the Art and Crafts movement. One could observe and look at the uniqueness and style of the furniture that he designed himself. Such as the high chairs that give an impression of formality and the dining table with its corner columns, that might be found uncomfortable. 

The interior has its own simplicity and alignment which somehow represents a high quality material. I could see how the wooden border of the ceiling is complimenting with the same theme of the long straight chairs that as design they have a number of long thin strips at the back of the chair.  

Frank Lloyd Wright, dining room furniture, 1900

Looking at it overall it seems to have a touch of a traditional style that includes other influences like the stained glass used in the lamps that are on top of the long legged table, reminded me of the art Deco style since the design applied on the glass is designed with geometrical diamond shapes.




  References:

Glancey, J. 2006. Architecture. London: DK

Fallingwater.org, 2016. Fallingwater Home. [online] Available at: <http://www.fallingwater.org/> [Accessed 1 June 2016]

Biography.com, 2016. [online] Available at: <http://www.biography.com/people/frank-lloyd-wright-9537511> [Accessed 1 June 2016]

Vam.ac.uk, 2016. Arts & Crafts: America 1890 - 1916 - Victoria and Albert Museum. [online] Available at: <http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/a/arts-and-crafts-america-1890-1916/> [Accessed 1 June 2016]

Art Nouveau

Art Nouveau is referred as the ''new art form'' for the new century, it was popularized only for a short time between the 1890's and 1910, since people got tired of seeing a lot of decorative designs around them, including curvatures and detailed designs that include leaves, different sort of insect types, that were being applied on, products, interiors, architecture, clothing, and much more.

This is an Art Nouveau perfume bottle that is made out of glass and sterling silver that is overlay. As noticed the design includes lots of curvatures with leaves. The form of the perfume bottle itself is also has it's own curvatures and sense of delicacy, elegance and class.

Classic Art Nouveau Sterling Silver Overlay perfume bottle

These are Roberto Cavalli Spring/Summer collection clothing. As we can see the first two from the left, the models that are worn in white are wearing clothing that includes lace representing curvatures and details that are influenced from the Art Nouveau style. The two models that are next to the models that are worn in white, have a lovely Italian print representing the Art Nouveau decorated design, including soft punchess of colour which was applied on material, embroidery and beading may have been added on the outfit. Then there's the last model that is on the right, wearing a light soft green colour dress that has a v shaped lining and sultry tunics in a mix of lace. All five extraordinary outfits have their own particular detail to reveal the style of Roberto Cavalli's fashion.

Art Nouveau Roberto Cavalli spring/summer 2013

I include one great German-Austrian, named Michael Thonet who's known for the invention of bentwood furniture. The rocking chair shown in the picture could be the first design that Michael Thonet has designed back in the 1860's. Long curvatures and lots of spiral decor in the chair is applied. At the time of Art Nouveau designers and architects still believed on applying extra decorations to the material.

Rocking chair No.1, Koritschan, Moravia by Michael Thonet,1860 

As one could obviously notice, looking at the Charles and Ray Eames chair the design has got at it's simplest organic form. Representing this picture as an example, to show the developed evolution of the chairs, on how the design has continued replicating the older techniques, re-transform it and apply it to the adapted style. It is how Charles and Ray Eames have experimented with materials and added on the same function of the original rocking chair.
 

''Rar'' by Charles and Ray Eames

The picture below is of Victor Horta who was a Belgian architect and designer, 1861-1947. At times Horta used to be creditted as the first to introduce the style to architecture from the decorative arts, especially in Belgium.

Victor Horta has built a hotel in Brussels called 'Tassel'. It was built for the Belgian scientist and professor Emile Tassel. The hotel was considered as the first Art Nouveau building, as it had high innovative planning and its chosen ground use of material and decorations. As one could see the 1st floor has a strong element of the style, the windows that are in stained glass, are separated by stone and columns. Then looking at the 2nd floor gallery you can see it with high iron, columns and clear glass to let in light for the interior. This is found to be very original as a choice of material and structure for the facade of a house. Looking at the 3rd floor the terrace is just with iron railings.

Hotel Tassel built by Victor Horta 1893-94

In this picture we can see the interior of the Tassel hotel designed and created also by Victor Horta. Horta as an interior designer, he has shown the ultimate of his skills, on decorating and designing in every single detail, such as: door handles, woodwork, panels, windows that are in stained glass, mosaic flooring and the rest of the furnishing. The amount of detailed work of this hotel, specified on the art Nouveau style is incredible, the way Horta has combined the luxury of the style and applied all the design in the interior is glorious. 

Victor Horta, Van Eetvelde House, Brussels, 1895

Hector Guimard is a very important figure in Paris, since he was the one who has introduced the Art Nouveau style. Guimard was another designer that he used to build as a whole including the wallpapers, furniture, floor tiles, stained glass, doors, tiles and much more.

What we can see in the picture is the entrance for the metro station. The way Guimar has designed it, the roof looks like a fan or rather the tail of a pigeon. The interior glass panels are all made in stained glass with the same patterned design that have long, sinuous, organic lines. As noticed the structure is all based on art Nouveau curved style made in iron.

Subway entrance in Paris by Hector Guimard  

Looking at another interior design example representing a classical, art Nouveau style decorated with leaves and stylistic forms of structures in furniture, railings, decorative coving and columns. As noticed this large villa has lots of wide stairs and wide open area, this also includes a classical order column that is called -Tuscan. The style of this large house shows a mixture of styles, yet it kept its unique look with decorative touches.

Art Nouveau, interior design

Compared to nowadays the design of most apartments are being minimized with small rooms and everything in a compact way.



References:

Bottle, C.,2016. Classic Art Nouveau Sterling Silver Overlay Perfume Bottle. [online] Ruby Lane. <Available at: https://www.rubylane.com/item/472318-101x20RL3489/Classic-Art-Nouveau-Sterling-Silver-Overlay> [Accessed 31 May 2016]

Intern.strabrecht.nl, 2016. Architectuur Art Nouveau. [online] Available at: <http://intern.strabrecht.nl/sectie/ckv/08/Art-nouveau/Architectuur/CKV-f0001.htm> [Accessed 31 May 2016]

Products, T., 2015. Thonet – Variety of Products. [online] Museum-boppard.de. Available at: <http://museum-boppard.de/explore/thonet-varietyofproducts/#singleobjects> [Accessed 31 May 2016]

Mandylor, S., 2012. Art Nouveau Fantasy: Roberto Cavalli Spring/Summer 2013. [online] It's All Style To Me. Available at: <http://itsallstyletome.com/2012/09/25/art-nouveau-fantasy-roberto-cavalli-springsummer-2013/> [Accessed 31 May 2016]

Art-nouveau-around-the-world.org, 2016. Hector Guimard (1867-1942). [online] Available at: <http://www.art-nouveau-around-the-world.org/en/artistes/guimard.htm> [Accessed 31 May 2016]