Essay Questions
Frank Lloyd Wright: 3 examples, his concepts, and how his concepts are applied in the designs
*Concept?*: - "Organic" unity "Continuity" *Example 1*: - *Robie House* "single room type", Uses Wright's theories of "organic" unity and "continuity", an open plan that was very forward for its time *Example 2*: -*Falling Water* The Kaufman family summer home, All elements were designed to be in the space (like the fireplace/ objects), *each part is flowing into one another*, Plan is really connected to nature, follows his "organic" concept *Example 3*: -*S.C. Johnson Wax Building* Has a biophilic characteristic, looking at the ceiling = the sun shining through the leaves, *Form follows function*
The Free Plan was an important component of modern architecture. Describe what it is, who theorized it, and give 3 buildings in which it occurs: one by Le Corbusier, one by Frank Lloyd Wright, and one by Mies van der Rohe. Compare and contrast the examples.
*Free Plan*: - "Walls can be more about free flowing" -Le Corbusier theorized it, it was part of his 5 points of architecture. *Le Corbusier*: - Maison Dom-Ino Concept -Steel structure so partitions can be placed freely -"Open Plan" *Frank Lloyd Wright*: - Robie House -Follows Wright's theories of "organic" unity and "continuity" -a more abstract house = organic - An open plan, fire place in the middle of two rooms, free flowing space *Mies van der Rohe* -Farnsworth House - Had a core with space flowing around it -Columns were inside -Step up to platform, open plan *Comparing and Contrasting* -All open plans - Le Corbusier = just a concept, but powerful -Frank = only two rooms were truely in the "Open Plan" -Mies = The whole building was open, maybe to open, only the bathroom area was private
Define humanized modern architecture. Where did it occur? Who were the architects who designed it, how did they describe it, and what are examples of design projects? • What is rationalist modern architecture? Where did it occur? Who were the architects who designed rationalist modern architecture? how did they describe it, and what are examples of design projects? • Compare and Contrast humanized and rational modern architecture.
*Humanized Modern Architecture*: *Rationalist Modern architecture*: *Compare and contrast the two*:
Compare the work of Le Corbusier in the 1920s and 30s to his work in the 1940s-1960s. Give 3 examples of projects that show his evolution. Tell us about the main changes that occurs throughout his career.
*Main changes:* -Early Le Corbusier is bringing back the object from from its fragmented state, still abstracted *Example 1*: -Maison Citrohan 1922-take on French car, Attempt to "mass produce" a house-WWI-Double Height = a standard for Corbusier - Very modular (like a box), Follows the five points *Example 2*: -Ville Savoye 1930-1931 Poissy, France -Shows the five points most, out of all his Villa's-The idea of the ramp traveling through the building = Architectural Promenade a slow walk, like walking through a garden, ends with a view, Le Corbusier coined the term -Modular design, uses all 5 points, some curved elements -stairs, garage. *Example 3*: -Notre Dame du Haut 1954 France -Nature based, thick wall, Modern stain glass -Concentrated on *creating a master piece using materials and light* -inspired by a crab shell -Very different from his early styles - Doesn't follow all of his five points
What was Mies van der Rohe's approach to modern architecture and design? Give 3 examples of his work and explain how his work exemplified his philosophies.
*Modern architecture via Mies*: Mies was an advocate of simplicity and open floor plans ,steel and glass as building materials Tugendhat House -Saw the grid as a natural, endless possibilities freedom -Using molians to express the structure between not structure Farnsworth House -Had a core with space flowing around -Had Barcelona Chair - Columns inside -Step up to platform, open plan -Great example of Mies Illinois Institute of Technology, Crown hall -Had to walk up many entry ways, studio spaces = very flexible (grid) -Structure = the language of building, columns outside of the building
Case Study Houses: What was the purpose? What were 3 of the projects and how did the designs communicate the goals of the program?
-Post World War II houses, that provided a homey interior but could be mass produced. *Example 1*: -Eames House, case study House #8 interior and exterior designed based on mass production, industrial outside/ warm inside, there's "stuff" inside, looks lived in - architects did do that. *Example 2*: -Herbert Jacobs Frank Lloyd Wright "Usonian House", Middle class Americas, *Example 3*: - Stahl House (Case study House 22)
