Post Modernism

A notable designer from this time period was Robert Venturi. He wrote Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture. He believed that simplicity and logic as a cornerstone to modern design was a limitation and that it would lead to boredom and dullness. He's famous quote is, “Less is a bore.”He believed that greatness in modern design comes from Complexity and Contradiction and he embraced decorative ornament and historical design concepts. His works include the Vanna Venturi House and the Chippendale Chair. Another notable designer was Michael Graves, one of the New York Five. He moved away from group and developed more Post-Modern designs and embraced more decorative detail and strong color and forms. he had eccentric tastes and thought design should be available for the masses. He designed the Public Services Building, Portland, Oregon which was the first post modern building. Charles Gwathmey was another member of the New York Five. He was an Architect and Educator he designed the Gwathmey Residence and Studio. Richard Meier is one of the only members of the New York Five still alive today. He is an Artist and Architect. He uses geometric designs and the color white. He designed the Getty Center and the Douglas House. Peter Eisenman is the other member of the New York Five to be alive today. He is an Architect and a Deconstructivist. He designed the Aronoff Center for Design and Art and the Museum of Galicia in Spain. Frank Gehry is a Canadian/American architect who designed the Guggenheim Museum in Spain as well as the High Sticking Chair and the Wiggle Chair. Rem Koolhaas is a designed who bridges post-modernism, hi-tech and deconstructivist concepts. He designed the Maison Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France. I.M. Pei is the man who designed the National Gallery of Art and the Pyramid Louvre Museum.

Past:

Present:

Extra Credit:
John Hejduk, the only member of the New York Five we didn't talk about in class.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z91hfQ-D6oI

Footage of John Hejduk’s ‘The Collapse of Time’ - a construction made to accompany the exhibition of Hejduk’s project VICTIMS, shown at the AA in 1986.  ‘The Collapse of Time’ is the final element in a series of 68 structures. Each element is individually named and dedicated to the Victims who suffered in the Gestapo torture chambers in Berlin during World War II. The full project was presented to the city and citizens of Berlin. The tower, which represents time, was lowered twice by 45° at noon on Fridays 10th and 24th October 1986 until it was completely horizontal, signifying the total collapse of time. The design of ‘The Collapse of Time’ was undertaken by AA staff and students. The structural consultant for the project was Frank Newby.

Peer Review:
Holli: I liked how she chose a few designers to focus on and her pictures were great
Angie: I liked how she summarized the period well and he pictures were also lovely

International Presentations

One of the places I've always wanted to visit is Dubai. All the places that the group presented on were places I would love to see in person. The Jumeirah Beach Hotel was built in 1997 and is a 26 story building. It is 305 ft tall and 902 ft long. It is curved to resemble a breaking wave and overlooks the famous water park. Burj Al Arab was built in 1999 and is the worlds only 7 star hotel. It includes a underwater restaurant as well as a sky view bar. It is a iconic symbol of Dubai and it 1,035 ft tall. Burj Kahlifa was built in 2004 and is the tallest building in the world. It also contains the highest mosque and a swimming pool. It is 2,717 ft tall. Ski Dubai was built in 2005 and is the equivalent of 3 football fields long. It is an indoor skiing place with real snow. The Infinity Tower was built in 2006 and is the worlds largest tower with a 90 degree twist. It is an 80 story residential building and is 1,000 ft tall. The Palm Islands were constructed in 2014 and are the largest artificial islands in the world. They are also the 8th wonder of the world. I would love to visit Dubai and stay in one of the many luxury hotels there.




Extra Credit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BXGh0EYJtE
Youtube video about the Palm Islands and how it was constructed.

Peer Review:

Holli: I liked how she focused on 2 of the places she was most interested in and elaborated on both of those things. I also liked how she included more detailed pictures of those places

Ashley: I liked how she touched on all the buildings that were presented for the place she picked and also talked about what she thought was interesting.

Mid-Century Modernism

Mid-Century Modernism architecture is characterized by flat roofs, angular details and asymmetrical profiles, expansive walls of glass, clean lines and wide open floor plans. It was the first to use bi-level structures and married indoor spaces to the outside. It was extremely popular on the West Coast. Common color schemes included warm, earthy tones created nature-inspired interiors (olive green, burnt umber, pumpkin and mustard yellow). Trendy colors included pink, gray, turquoise, black and yellow. Furnishings were commonly made out of plastics, resin, metal composites, laminates and fiberglass. All these materials helped to fuel creativity. One notable designer of this time period was Joseph Eichler. He was a real-estate developer in California who was inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright. He developed Mid- century tract housing subdivisions for the average American family. It had post and beam construction, open floor plan, glass walls, concrete floors (radiant heat) with low slope- no slope A-frame roofs. He built over 11,000 homes. Another notable designer was Eero Saarinen. He was a Finnish/American architect/Industrial Design who worked with Charles and Ray Eames. He also produced furniture with Knoll including his famous Tulip Chair. Charles and Ray Eames worked with Herman Miller and were two very eccentric designers. They designed a who array of things ranging from coat hangers to very famous chairs like the their lounge chair and the aluminum group. Another important designer from this period was George Nelson. He was one of the founders of American Modernism. He was the Directer of Design for Herman Miller and also had his own company, George Nelson Associates, Inc.. With these two companies, he shaped much of the 20th Century's most iconic Modernism furniture. He designed pieces such as, the Coconut Chair, Marshmallow Sofa, and Swag Leg Group. Isamu Noguchi was an American artist, designer and landscape architect who worked for Herman Miller. His most famous piece of furniture is the Noguchi table.

Past:




Present:




Extra Credit:
http://www.blouinartinfo.com/news/story/1044237/video-explore-the-hidden-treasures-of-noguchi-museum
A video about the Noguchi Museum

Peer Review:

Paige P- She summarized the period well and her pictures were great. I liked how she split it up into sections by designer and shared pictures of their work. 

Amanda V- I liked how she summarized the whole period and then had little blurbs about the individual designers.