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.