INT331EED

Mid-Century Modernism was between 1950-1960s in America.  During this design period flat roofs, vast walls of glass, bi-level houses, and warm colors were popular.  Houses started to become more open and down to earth, especially in the West Coast.  Creating layouts that combine interior and exterior spaces making the flow of the house consistent.  Furniture also had many changes to the style as well and the main manufacturers were Knoll and Herman Miller.  Styles started to incorporate fiber glass and aluminum in many curvilinear designs.  Charles and Ray Eames made a huge impact in the modernism furniture.  Charles was an architect and Ray was an artist and together they designed chairs such as La Chaise, Lounge chair, and compact sofa.  They took ergonomics into consideration as well as different types of materials when designing chairs.  The typical American family was the Eames cliental. Mid-Century Modernism had a different take by each...

Modernism in America was different then in Europe even though many of the same designers and architects made an impact on both continents.  Modernism really blossomed after World War II and the style became much more simplified.  The style originated in Germany and France.  One of the most well-known, American designers that showed modernism in his structures was Frank Lloyd Wright.  He made a huge impact and still has many of his buildings standing in today's society. International style is what his early works were, but when he came back from studying in Japan his style became more modern and you can see some prime examples in the La Miniatura house in California and in the Falling Waters house located in Pennsylvania.  Popular materials that can be seen through many of the popular modern designs are glass, steel, stone, brick, and wood.  Not only did the materials get more simplified and natural, but the concept plans became more open so people could be ...

 Art Deco is one of the steps in the emergence of modernism.  It started to emerge in the early 1920s in France, shortly after the end of World War I, and from there spread internationally.  Two groups became very apparent during this time, the functionalists and the decorators.  The functionalists desired simplicity and mass production in their designs, whereas the decorators wanted to focus on the craftsmanship and elite market.  In this style, rich materials, zigzag shapes, aluminum, and glass are all things that help identify Art Deco. Many furniture pieces that were designed during the Art Deco time can still be seen in today's design.  Some prominent pieces were the elephant chair by Jacques-Emile Ruhlmann, the smoking table by Eileen Gray, and the cube chair by Jean Michel Frank.  They all have a sense of simplicity and elegance found in the shape and materials. The image on the left is the elephant chair designed by Jacques-Emile Ruhlmann and t...

The emergence of modernism happened between the 1900s and the 1950s.  Within this time period many different events happened that changed the whole dynamic in the world.  WWI and WWII occurred during that time and when the world changed, so did the interiors of houses and offices.  In America, Frank Lloyd Wright was one of the biggest influences in design leading to modernism.  Many of his own works can still be seen today in Oak Park, Illinois.  Modernism affected more than just interiors and reached many things including music.  The idea behind this style was that they wanted to escape from the past.  Everyone needed something new and exciting, and by doing this the world as a whole was looking at the future and moving forward.   The Bauhaus was one of the first major buildings that introduced modernism.  It was unique and it accomplished many difficult challenges.  The curtain wall was introduced in this structure which was a wal...

Art Nouveau made a huge impact in Europe, but it did not take hold in the United States as much.  There were two major designers that pushed the style of Art Nouveau in America.  They were Louis Sullivan and Louis Tiffany who introduced this style.  Sullivan was ambitious and was highly educated.  He loved being ornamental with his decoration, but it was Americanized and considered unclassical.  Louis Sullivan was considered one of the founding fathers of modernism because he focused on the structural frame and vertical element rather than imitating other historical buildings.  One of Sullivan's most famous buildings, The Auditorium, is located in Chicago, Illinois.  The Auditorium is still standing today and is currently being used by Roosevelt University.  Sullivan partnered with Adler to build The Auditorium with an office, an opera, and a hotel all located in the same building.  The first couple of floors were created using black granite ...

Art Nouveau went through Europe from 1890-1910.  Art Nouveau actually means "New Art" which fit the design style because the idea of Art Nouveau was to completely start new.  Horta, Guimard, and Van de Velde wanted to rebel against previous styles of design.  Arts and Crafts was the style right after Victorian and it was still affected and influenced by history.  Art Nouveau takes a new look at design and takes its inspiration from nature.  Everything was affected by nature and the movement.  Designs became more curvilinear and more abstract since they were based off vines, flowers, insects, etc. Belgium and France were the leading countries in this style.  Victor Horta was the leading architect and designer by far in Belgium and created many designs in Brussels.  He brought to Art Nouveau new materials such as iron and glass.  Iron was used as railings and brought intricate detail to the room with many styles of curves and movement.  Ho...