Modernism in America

Many of the beautiful modern pieces that originated in Europe were not published or acknowledged, so therefore America was a little bit of a late start.  Concepts from this time period were based off of Paris Ecole des Beaux-Arts.  The most popular and noticed architects and designers include Frank Lloyd Wright, Rudolph Schindler, and Richard Neutra.

Frank Lloyd Wright's designs were not good fits toward the concept of modernism of "International Style".  Using a lot of concrete with sharp ornamentation was a common factor of his design along with repetition of patterns.  The Hollyhock House and La Miniatura house both had the use of concrete inside and outside the home.  La Miniatura was the most successful of his houses during this time period.


Falling Water is one of the most popular houses Frank Lloyd Wright designed.



Rudolph Schindler had a very collaborative relationship with Wright, but unfortunately ended in a bitter conflict.  One of his designs is the Schindler house in Newport Beach, California.  Each of his home showed different ways to keep the same style of modernism.  Similar to Wright, he used the use of concrete in most of his projects. Schindler and Richard Neurta were friends and lived with each other and their families in the Schindler house.  Neurta studied in Vienna with Adolf Loos and Otto Wagner, previous modernists of Europe. Some of his most prominent work included the Kaufmann house, and the Lovell.

Kauffman House

Applications from this time period include :







Examples of current applications include:

Schindler's House in a video!

Very well designed.

I reviewed Megan S' blog and she talked about Irving Gill and Frank Lloyed Wright who were popular architects. Also great pictures of buildings designed by Gill and Wright.  Richard Neurta was also mentioned and she showed great pictures of buildings he designed as well.
Nichole's blog had a great background of this time period and where it came from. She also showed off Frank Lloyd Wright's work and his design philosophy.  Comparing Perkins and Will to modernism was a great way to show current application.

Response to English Neoclassical

I read Katie's and Jessica's blogs about the Late English Neoclassical period.  I love how she pinpointed Robert Adams design and how he was different from the rest.  She gave a good description in his style of interiors and architectures.  I love how he matches his ceiling design with his floor design.  I agree with Katie in that it is cool how he didn't make the fireplace the focal point in the space.  I also read Jessica's blogs about the Neoclassical time period.  She gave a good description on how it is implemented in buildings.  Also she explained how it was revival of the rococo period.  Her pictures were great and she gave good examples of how the place was influenced by the neoclassical style.

English Restoration Mid-Renaissance

This period was really a revival of English during the middle renaissance.  Included in this time period is the restoration of Stuart or Carolean period, William and Mary style, Queen Anne furniture, and the Early Georgian (Chippendale).  There were a lot of things going on where the monarch was getting itself straight with a new king.  There was a giant fire in 1666 which burned down a large section of London.  During the the rebuilding, Sir Christopher Wren set new standards- Baroque Urban design.  One of his masterpieces was the St.Paul's Cathedral.  As well as other 52 churches which have influenced more designs today.

St Pauls Cathedral

William and Marys style was the baroque style from the French however not with as many details.  It all started where Mary Stuart married a dutch man named William lll. They set new standards for furniture such as they were no made for comfort, beautiful furniture in mass proportions, upholstery is now a familiar thing, and walnut is the main material.  Other features include the straight turned up leg or cup turned legs,  low horizontal x-stretcher, and lacquer work.  After William & Mary, there was the Queen Anne furniture.  There were a lot of developments in social living such as parlor games and tea time.  Queen Anne brought simpler interiors with paper or silk on the walls.  Also comes the introduction of the cabriole leg as the furniture became smaller, lighter and more comfortable. 

Wing Chair

Modern Winsor Chair

Lastly, Chippendale was the first man to give a name to furniture style not in Monarch.  He was a great furniture designer who wrote a book widely used today.  His furniture was seen as rare.  His style was rococo prevalent but orient and medival was an evident influence as well.   Also there were some attributes very similar to the Queen Anne style.

Chippendale Chair

Modern Chippendale Dining Room

Even more Modern Chippendale Dining Room

Example of a Queen Anne living room with Wing Chair.





Another example of a Queen Anne Style living room

Response to French Neoclassical

I viewed Ariana's and Danas blogs about this time period.  Ariana had beautiful and colorful pictures of Louis Kings bedroom and an example of the French style room.  Also she did a great job at describing the importance of Chateau Chambord.  It was originally the main home but then the young king took it on as his hunting lounge so it was cool to see what that looked like.  Also Dana's blog had a good description of the regal style.  She had a lot of good pictures of the regal style that influenced the rococo style and more styles to come.  Both blogs were great a zooming in on particular style from the French Neoclassical period.

French - Baroque

The Baroque style was my particular favorite from the French Neoclassical period.  I love the way the monarch had such a great influence on the furniture style.  They were able to customize everything for the king, particularly Louis XIV who was five years old at the start of his reign.  During this time period, there was a lot of rich new castles being built.  In particular, Nicholas Fouquet, made a giant castle including 105 Lavish room, 170 acres of garden, elegant accessories such as Persian carpets, crystal chandeliers, gold clocks, and silver vases.  His place could hold up to an estimated 6000 people.  Of course, the young king was jealous of the riches he did not possess and held Nicholas a prisoner for life.  So the king had his own personal group of architects, interior designers, garden designers and more decorate his palace. Palais de Versailles was the king's new home that was able to house over 10,000 people.  About 800 men worked together to design the interior of this palace.

Inside of Palais de Versailles

Furniture was all against the walls allowing the brighter colors in tapestries and rugs to pop out.  Lots of paneling decorated the walls as well with an off-white color.  Rooms were decorated with lots of Chinese and Japanese influence within the silks, vases, porcelain figures, and lacquer work.  Some new furniture examples from this time period were the commode,and the cabinet of ebony, metal, and tortoise shell.Wardrobes and consoles with heavy ornamentation as well. Chairs with a curved back which emphasized the style for more of an appearance than function.  

Bergere Style Chairs 

Bergere Style Chair

  

Modern day Bergere

Baroque interior style

Response to Spanish Renaissance

I read Kristina P's and Samantha's blogs.  Kristina's had a great description of the features from this time period.  I love how she put up so many pictures and examples of buildings, cathedrals,and castles form this time period.  I really got a good look at what was actually designed in this time period. Samantha's blog had a great deal of information on the Moors.  She had a good connection between them and the style that was developed during this time period.

Spanish Renaissance

The Spanish Renaissance was a revival of the Greek's and Roman's designs. The buildings became more extravagant  following the gothic style.  The buildings looked heavy and secure more than light and friendly.  Castles were also introduced.  All kinds of castles were built which set apart the important and rich from the poor.
 
  One of the most popular palace/ castle that was built was the El Escorial.  This was a royal palace created and acknowledged for its simplicity. King Phillip was the ruler during this time period.



However, there were many other key features during this time period.  There were different phases including the Plateresco phase and the desornamentado phase.  The plateresco phase included gothic style in its construction.  Minute and delicate ornament resembled the work of a silversmith  and was used on exteriors, patios, churches, public buildings, furniture and accessories.  Example as seen at the University of Salamanca.  The design of the building is rich with detail. 
The Desornamentado phase was a powerful style characterized by austerity, it was a reaction to the plateresco style.  This phase is where the El escorial was created.  The architecture had carefully defined proportions and corresponded more to public buildings.

Lastly, the interiors from this time period included iron grilles on the windows and other openings.  Also colored tiles, and paneled ceilings.  Other features included floors made of basket weave and subdued colors.  The furniture was simple and bold with a heavy look to it.  The rectangle shape was commonly used. Some examples of the furniture include Sillon de Frailero, wooden benches, walnut benches, puente stands, and taquillions.

Taquillion

Puente Stand

current application

current application

Response to Italian Renaissance

I read Ali and Dana's Blogs about the Italian Renaissance.

Ali had a lot of great pictures of Michelangelo's work and some of the other influential art pieces from this time period. I find it amazing how these artists were able to compose such extravagant and detailed pieces because they definitely did not have as many different tools as we do today. She also showed some good pictures of the interiors.  Dana's blog had a great description on the clients relationship with artists and architects.  I agree with her on how are society is such a "throw-away" society.  We do not really carry long term relationships with painters, interior designs, photographers, architects, and more.  While I do not like contracts, it would be nice if clients would stick with the same people when they need similar projects done.

Italian Renaissance

The arts were ravishing through this time period.  Everyone whether you were poor or rich, was intrigued by the arts.  Sculptures, writing, painting, architecture and pretty much every other kind of art was studied.  The styles were a remake of Greek and Roman architecture, but with Gothic and Romanesque interior styles.  Some of the art from this time was extravagant.  Michelangelo was discovered during this time with his sculptures and painting done in the Sistine Chapel.

Also during this time period, the style went from safety to comfort, convenience, and style.  People were more interested in how the furniture and interiors looked rather than the structure.  The furniture had lots of detail and moldings on it.  The arches and doorways were extravagant as well flourishing into elaborate ceilings. One of the most popular types of homes was the Palazzo. Which included fireplaces, tapestries, and frescoes on the interiors.  The Palazzo included living spaces on the 2nd and 3rd floors, while a shop was on the first floor similar to the Roman insula. 

As you can tell by this picture, homes are still similar to the Palazzo.  People usually own shops on the first floor and live on top of them. 

Some furniture types from this time period:

sgabello chair

modern day sgabellos might look like bar stools

Modern Day Dante Chair

Dante Chair:

Another interior living room or dining room

Interior of a living room or office