THE HISTORY OF MODERNIST ARCHITECTURE
Modernist architecture emerged in the early 20th century however it was not until after the second world war that it gained popularity and was accepted. Modernist architects began focussing on meeting basic social needs, which other architects had previously failed in doing. It did not seem logical to design buildings without taking account of its potential location and function. After assessing these factors, it would allow modernist architects to design and create a suitable layout and structure for the building.
Our Team.
Form Follows Function
The phrase ‘form follows function’ is often used when discussing the principles of modernism. It implies that forms should be simplified and bear no more ornament than necessary to function. The Bauhaus school of design became a very famous architecture college where students were taught purity of form and to ‘design for a better world’ by Walter Gropius. The school existed in Germany between 1919- 1932. They believed that structures must be designed for their purpose, not for appearance.
Modernist Ideals
Modernists were often very family orientated and found social interaction very important. The modernist dream was to mix blocks with terraces to create squares, zoning services, and amenities. These were to be all interlinked by roads. The zoned areas were expected make residential and commercial areas distinct and separate as this was seen to be the most practical way of living.
Le Corbusier’s Villa Savoye, Poissy, France
The Le Corbusier’s Villa Savoye in Poissy, France is a prime example of Modernist architecture. It has no relation to historic architectural design and the form is clearly intended to be a residential building. It has a flat roof, open plan interior, and open space surrounding the structure for ideal social living. These modernist ideals were not applied to housing until 1937 when Max Fry’s Kensal House in London applied the modernist principles to a social housing scheme. It became extremely popular with its residents which eventually led to it becoming a model housing estate for future projects. After seeing what a positive role technology played in everyday living, Le Corbusier stated that a house should be ‘a machine for living in’. This means that function is irreplaceable. This may also be a reason for the constant use of glass, steel and concrete in modernism designs.
Pruitt Igoe
Despite Le Corbusier’s success, not all modernist housing projects were as successful. Many were demolished from the 1970’s due to large scale failure. The infamous Pruitt Igoe was unsuccessful in his attempt to plan and develop a housing project. Igoe built 33, 11 story, high rise blocks made up of individual apartments. There were large corridors, spacious outdoor areas, and communal rooms for laundry etc. which were intended to improve social communication amongst the community. He had included many of the modernism principles in his housing designs however large numbers of vacancies indicated that the project had not been a success. It seemed that the community did not like the segregation that modernists feel is necessary.
Conflicting views on modernist's architectural designs and principles
Some architects even decided to sell the housing with fixed furniture so the aesthetic could not be ruined, however this meant that the structures felt more like houses and less like homes. Residents were usually more interested in having unique, homely and comforting furnishings in their homes. It seemed to some people that modernism has extremely unrealistic ambitions and aspirations.
