Frank Lloyd Wright: Falling on Water

“Considered by some to be the greatest of all architects.”

I found this audio clip very inspiring. Frank Lloyd Wright has always been one of my favourite architects of the 20^th century. Falling Water being one of my favourite pieces of architecture, I found I could relate to this a lot more than previous readings.

Going back to his fundamental word – ‘organic’, I love that he uses his surroundings to influence the style of architecture, making sure whatever he was to build, fits in with nature and does not look out of place. This approach has always been something I have tried to include within my work, making the architecture itself looks natural in its place.

Frank Lloyd Wright created the more innovative architecture of the 20^th century, breaking away from the notion of holding onto the past and creating something completely new and different from everything that had been built before. Being described as a ‘swaggering 19^th century figure’ Frank Lloyd Wright had always stood out from the crowd, not only within his works but also how he carried himself and his appearance. Studying in the same place as Louis Sullivan in Chicago, USA, he was later to build houses within the suburbs, particularly stressing the use of horizontal and vertical lines and long and low flat buildings.

I was shocked to say the very least when hearing about his private life and how he went from tragedy to tragedy. I was shocked by the absolutely horrendous story of his wife being killed by the cook along with several other members of the house hold. This just made it even more apparent how much of a strong person Lloyd Wright was, still managing to live to 92 and have none of these previous events effect the quality of his work.

“He would design every single aspect of the world if he could...”

He took a deep philosophical approach within his work, mostly looking into nature, going back to this organic idea. He was always talking about his work within the abstract.

“Democracy and architecture if both are organic cannot be two separate things...”

The most famous house of the 20^th century

Falling water built in the mid 1930’s personally one of my absolute favourite pieces of architecture. Not like any other, sitting on the side of a hill, a water fall is sat underneath the building, making it fit completely within the surroundings. The balconies look like they float over the waterfall. The space inside is quite dark, but you’re moving from the inside of the house out, linking the inside with the outside, when walking through an inside room, it is connected to one of the balconies. I personally think the house is one of the most beautiful pieces of architecture ever built. It looks so perfectly placed in its location. Frank Lloyd Wright has used every aspect of nature to make the building fit so well. The horizontal and vertical angles within the building which contrast against the edges of rocks and hills emphasise the beauty of the architecture. 

There are no other architects that have produced work like Lloyd Wrights’; there was so much personality that went into his designs that it was almost impossible for anyone to recreate this. You could say that his work was at a dead end. His unique vision meant only his own philosophical values 

Abstract Neo-Plasticity and Its Architectural Manifestation in the Luis Barragan House/Studio of 1947

Already the title of the magazine the article had been taken from drew my attention. I had studied maths at school and it had always been one of my favourite subjects along with art. In fact, it was the link between art and mathematics that actually made my love for architecture grow and blossom.

Within the article it is shown how mathematics can be thought about when looking at a building. In this case bringing geometry into the equation (excuse the pun). From looking at a building in a mathematical way, you can have a completely different interpretation of it.

When looking at the Barragan House, there is an interesting contrast between the ground and first floor with how light is used. When entering the house, it appears dark, and artificial light is used. However, in comparison to the top floor this is very different, relying on all natural light to guide the viewer through the house. The roof terrace was my favourite part of the building as this was completely open to the sky, as compared in the text to the work of James Turrell. 

Moving on to sources of Barragan’s abstract neo-plasticity, it was really interesting to look at comparing forms of art to the house, with the use of lines and colour, looking at specific paintings. Again, making a link with art and mathematics. This was something that showered a very particular interest to me as when I was studying in sixth form, my art teacher would always ask me why I was taking maths and art, he couldn’t see the logic in it. The next project I worked on, I made specifically to show him that art and mathematics could be linked. Within the text, colour and use of colour is also expressed, again something I have studied within my art with looking at the theory of colour and how colours work with and against each other.

Peter Smithson: conversations with students : a space for our generation

Generally this text was a lot easier to read. The style in which the text had been formatted made it a lot easier to convey what was being said. Due to the text being in an interview format, it became lighter hearted; I found I could relate to him and the text a lot more. The images throughout the text also broke it up, making it less daunting as an overall read.

With relation to the content, I found it very interesting. It was good to see someone else’s opinion. Looking at the second question within the text, it was interesting to see how Peter has developed his work with the influence of the history of architecture. He almost goes against the question by speaking about how architecture has always been so ahead of its time, you could hardly call it history.

I found myself relating to the text the further I read on with the name ‘Any Warhol’ being mentioned. Warhol was one of my strong influences within my art as a child. I studied Fine Art at A-Level also, and had previously shown a huge interest in his work.

In the next section of the text the interview looked at the viewpoints of minimalist art movement. This section of the text I found interesting although, compared to the first section, I didn’t find it as engaging and interesting. The questions asked by students, however, I could relate closer to. They talk about use of space which is something I have studied within my course at university.

Overall this has by far, been my favourite of the readings so far. I found it a lot easier to extract information from the text and to directly relate to the text myself.

The Le Corbusier Syndrome: On the Development of Modern Architecture in Japan

An interesting read, it has become apparent of the strong influence Le Corbusier had on the young and upcoming generation of architects arriving on the scene during this period of time. Using his ideas to influence ideas of their own, his work was very well known. In Japan especially, Le Corbusier’s work had been publicised within the architectural media. Interest grew and grew and soon his work was being published in magazines such a Vogue. Le Corbusier, during this era, was seen as the God of all architects, creating a new design element that had never been discovered.

His style changed throughout the years, moving into the post war era, his style was very different to what it had been previously, moving away from his more urban approach. After Corbusier’s death in 1965, his work had started to be analysed theoretically. The author speaks of how he become strongly influenced with his work and that Japan had been overwhelmed with Corbusier’s work. So, despite his death, his work still carriers on to influence, engage and inspire the work of architects to this day today. We are living the Corbusier legacy.

Although a very dense piece of text, I could withdraw some of the following information. When the Second World War hit, the Nazi’s had a very strong influence within architecture across the globe. They tried to expiate all modernist architecture, moving back into the past essentially, erasing all the work that people such as Corbusier had previously done. However, even though this was a strong movement, it did not touch Japan. Main styles of architecture had been involving in Japan through Meiji Restoration, which brought in western style. In 1870, another influence had been implemented in Japan, the Pseudo-Western which brought in European styles closely with Japanese. Examples are shown in the work of the carpenter Kisuke Shimizu and the Japan Pavilion. Sakaura mentions how Corbusier had influenced his work so strongly.

The author went on to meet Maekawa, years after the chapel at Ronchamp had been created in 1952. He states he did not understand the design elements of Ronchamp, wishing he could have asked Corbusier about his ideas behind the building. Maekawa later took part in a competition where his sketches and ideas strongly reflected the work of Corbusier, which is quite interesting in itself.

Overall, the reading, although very dense, was an interesting read. It is apparent how strongly Le Corbusier has influenced the architecture of the past and present. I also was not familiar with the very strong influences he had within Japan and Japanese architecture.

Garden cities of to-morrow - Ebenezer Howard, Frederic James Osborn

It’s safe to say over the past one hundred years, the developments within the architectural world have been outstanding. The further into the future we go, the faster these developments are carried as our intelligence and knowledge grows. From reading a passage of text from before these new ideas had started to take place, was quite frankly astounding. There was genuinely no hope that we would even be close to the understanding we have today.

Looking at London directly, the text speaks of improvements that must be made within the future. Although having a true belief that these changes were definitely going to take place at some point during the future, there was still a lot of doubt due to funding and the high demand for housing during this period of time. Although most slums had been cleared during the war it still proved a very difficult task building London up to the city so many people wanted it to be. However faith is kept throughout and there is a genuine compassion for the welfare of London as a city and its people.

I found this a pleasant read. Mainly due to the knowledge that I have of London today, knowing how it has so greatly developed as a city and is still one of the most rapidly developing cities in the world.

With relation to the lecture which followed this reading on ‘Modern Urbanism’, it allowed a clearer understanding of the lecture, making it easier to follow. Especially in relation to the mass urban developments of Pairs, Berlin, Glasgow, Birmingham and Vienna, also adding other cities which have undergone big development schemes. Also was interesting to see the comparison between each and every city across the world and how, regardless of time year, each and every part of the world is at different stages of intelligence in the architectural world today.

Architecture and Narrative: The Formation of Space and Cultural Meaning

Having always been a fan of Mies van der Rohe, I found this an interesting read. Before studying Interior Architecture, I knew the name but I did not know what other work Mies van der Rohe had completely other than the Barcelona Pavilion. I find his work more interesting than others. With the concept of ‘less is more’ I find I can relate to his work a lot more than other architects. I have always tried to make the architecture speak for itself in my work and I fell like this is something Mies van der Rohe does very well in his. Within the Barcelona Pavilion, he used very clever illusions with water and straight lines, in order to get the effect that he desired within the design.

It is clear, from looking at the plans that went into the building, how much he must have thought about every single little detail within the design. I also loved the use of material within the Pavilion. There is a large amount of marble which I feel fits in with the design, using very simplistic shapes and colours. It is safe to say, that this piece of architecture is still absolutely beautiful.

I was fond of the text as I felt I could relate a lot of my work to the style that Mies van der Rohe uses, with a simple but effective style. I would like to look at his work further and take more of his concepts into designing future pieces within my work.

Bauhaus 1919-1933: Weimar-Dessau-Berlin

A long but engaging read. I found it interesting to compare this to last weeks video and the comparisons made within it. The Bahaus movement was started by a man called Walter Gropius. Starting when the architecture was trying to be linked with fine art, one of the first times this had been done.

The sky scrapers created created by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe in 1920-21 are not far off from buildings we see today built in cities. These proposed ideas were almost looking into the future, although not actually built, they now reflect the ideas architects are currently building work like this today. In the 1920’s this was such a huge step for architecture, people like Gropius had completely broken the mould of classic architecture and it was now moving into the modern movement.

From reading the following text it allowed me to have a greater understanding in the lecture, following the Bahaus movement through time and learning about the different architects who pushed this movement forward.

The Russian Revolutionary: Zaha Hadid

A very interesting and riveting watch. Shapes that seem somewhat randomly placed are not in consistent randomness. The shapes themselves work well as a universe within different scales. Zaha Hadid drew architectural forms from these random shapes as she did not believed they were placed with no purpose. Kazimir Malevich used the composition of shapes to create abstraction.

“We can only be aware of space if we break away from earth if the fulcrum disappears.” – Karmir Malevich

Zaha Hadid said by rotating the paintings, shapes would change, turning into architectural drawings. Duing Malevich’s third period (white period), he used the colour white to represent infinity, believing art was a religion. Malevich’s work allowed Zaha to expand her work and architectural form. Using it for inspiration for such things as ‘The Peak’ in Hong Kong.

Towards the end of Malevich’s life, he started to experiment with sculpture. Moving his 2D paintings into 3D models.

Modern architecture - Alan Colquhoun

It was interesting to see how Loos’ architecture had changed through time, He was someone who managed to very slowly push the boat out into what architecture has become today by inspiring people such as Corbusier, which really has an impact on how the architectural world is now. He went out of the box and pushed the boat out further than it had been pushed before. Internally, things were very minimalist which had previously not been explored. Open plan living was formed with different ceiling heights and large open spaces.

The way someone had to move through his space was very controlled, directing the viewer into a straight path through the space. After the war, Loos had a new outlook on his work, combining classicism with irregular windows.

Loos saw architecture as a form of art. He broke the mould that no one had dared break before. Using deliberate artistic gesture.

The globalisation of modern architecture: the impact of politics, economics and social change on architecture and urban design since 1900

At first seeming a quite complex read, soon to became really interesting. A very well written short summary of the history of architecture in a very large time scale. Was most definitely interesting to see the changes that have taken place socially and physically in our world since the Homo Sapiens all the way through to the 20th century.

Fascinating comparison within architecture across continents, when knowledge had not yet been spread. Yet, similar ideas had been used across a wide spread on countries. Also interesting concepts with religion and war and how this can affect the proposed architecture. This was noted especially within the Civil War, new laws passed meaning a huge growth in personal freedom.

“life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” – American Declaration of Independence. 

Architectural knowledge spread when colonies gained power from another. This produced new styles and ideas which had never been experimented with before.

As industrialism spread in the late 19th century introducing the baroque movement in England and Germany. With the United States adopting Frank Lloyd Wright with the Prairie style.

After the first World War, with many technology advances, the modernism movement came about with a fast moving world of painting and sculpture. Architecture was taking a different approach, with different styles, not always being visibly different from one another.

The text gave a huge insight into the changes that took place over such a large scale of time. It is clear however that over the past century the changes have been somewhat more significant in the design of modern architecture.