Modernism in America - Chapter 23

Modernism is claimed to have gained its start in France and Germany. Yet, because of the new technologies, writings, and transport systems modernism took ahold in many different countries all around the globe. The wars in Europe also contributed to this effort but caused tumult as well. The wars ended up closing the Bauhaus, forcing those that studied or taught there to travel to America. This is where modernism really started to pick up.

Modernism before the war was viewed as theoretical and idealistic, however it turned into practical and applied after the war. Ideals and materials changed with this new era after the war. Local cultures were interacted with first. Architects and designers began to look at local landscape, local colors, local ideals and values, and local materials available to create their style of modernism. Places like Africa, Japan, Mexico, and Thailand all started to come about with this technique and it became quite effective.

The Founders of the Modernist movement fled to America: Gropius, Van der Rohe, Le Corbusier, etc.), but designers residing in Latin American countries contributed heavily to this movement as well. Houses in the Americas became some of the best known works today: Fallingwater, the Glass House,  the Schindler House, the Kaufmann House,  and the Hollyhock House. Whereas, commercial buildings started to take on a whole new look all together; light and airy from glass applications and steel frames. This created skyscrapers and offered new options for urban planning and the Modernist movement. The economy started to look up with the demand for new materials, buildings, and furniture. People started to forward to the future.

Design Examples:

The Museum of Modern Art in New York
designed by William Lescaze. 

A Knoll advertisement of the Tulip Chair
created by Eero Saarinen. 

An interior view overlooking the pool of Richard Neutra's
Kaufmann House. 

Current Applications:

A modern interior environment
showcasing an Eames Organic Chair.

This home embodies the modern feel
because of what it is trying to achieve, a connection
with nature. 

One Step Further:

Luis Barragan was a Mexican architect and interior designer. Barragan's projects easily reference local history and tradition to create a personal experience. A reoccurring element in his work is that  certain aspects show the grid "shape" and how it can relate to the feel of modernity. He loved using and applying saturated colors to his work as well: pinks, yellows, and blues. Barragan paid careful attention to the surrounding landscape of his buildings; trying to achieve a connection with nature, even if the nature was seemingly being "ignored." Barragan was not a strict functionalist and tried to arose emotions with his architecture and interiors. These projects of his were highly noticed and praised; he was awarded with the Pritzker Prize in 1980.

This interior shows a bright pink wall. Barragan was known
for his use with eccentric colors. 

An interior shot of Casa Gilardi which is a work of
Barragan's.