Modern architecture
What is the Chicago School of Architecture famous for?
They are especially famous for their skyscrapers: thanks to the use of metal skeleton frame to support the load of the building, skyscrapers can now be taller and taller.
Also, the use of the steel frame with masonry cladding makes the building fireproof.
What does the aphorism "less is more" mean? Who coined it?
This quote by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe represents his rational approach to the creative process of architectural design (minimalism).
When and why was Postmodernism born?
P. was born in the 1970s as a reaction to Modernism and its emphasis on functionality and simplicity.
It reached its peak during the 1980s and early 1990s.
Who designed the "Auditorium Parco della Musica"?
Describe the building.
Renzo Piano (Rome).
It is a multifunctional complex in Rome, created to host musical and cultural events. It is located in the Parioli neighbourhood.
The main volumes of the complex are made up of the three concert halls, located in buildings of different sizes, with a shape that recalls that of a scarab; the three rooms are covered with lead sheets and arranged radially around an open-air theatre, the cavea, which can accommodate around 3,000 spectators. The surrounding space, where the buildings do not exceed the height of the auditorium, is occupied by other structures - service areas, recording studios, rehearsal rooms - while a vast usable terrace runs around the set of buildings.
Which architect designed the Louvre Abu Dhabi? Where did he get his inspiration from?
Jean Nouvel.
A symphony in concrete, water and the subtle play of reflected light, its design was inspired by the region's rich architectural traditions and the museum's unique location at the point where the Arabian sky meets the sands of Saadiyat Island and the waters of the Arabian Gulf.
What are the characteristics of modernism? And of
Early modern = use of a variety of historical styles; use of new materials and structural methods (cast iron, steel,..) as a result of the new industrial needs.
Late modern = lack of ornament; emphasis on rectangular forms and horizontal and vertical lines; use of modern and traditional materials in a new, simplified way; emphasis on honesty of materials; relationship between interior spaces and sites (use of glass); open, flowing interior spaces; natural light.
Fallingwater is a masterpiece by Frank Lloyd Wright. Why is it considered an example of "organic architecture"?
Because Wright aimed to put the occupants of the house in close relationship with the natural environment. The house is perched over a waterfall running under part of the building; all the walls are constructed of native stone, the horizontal elements are concrete, the floors are paved in stone and the woodwork is walnut.
This building is an example of organic architecture because it is characterized by the use of natural materials and native materials - according to the site of the building.
What does the word "starchitect" mean? Name at least 5 starchitects that you know.
= a very famous architect, especially one who has designed a well-known building in the recent past.
Zaha Hadid, Frank Gehry, Jean Nouvel, Renzo Piano, Santiago Calatrava..
Which two buildings designed by starchitects can we find in our region?
Muse - Renzo Piano
Messner Mountain Museum - Zaha Hadid
Among the architects we've studied - who has won the Pritzker Prize? Name at least 2.
Frank Gehry
Jean Nouvel
Zaha Hadid
Norman Foster
Renzo Piano
Who designe "Casa Milà"? What name is it also known by? Why?
Antoni Gaudí.
It is also known by the name "La Pedrera" (stone quarry) because it resembles an open quarry in appearance; the building features forms drawn from nature. It was Gaudi's last work of civic architecture and represented a break with the conventions of his day.
Which architect is famous for his "Prairie Style"?
What types of building did he design during this period?
Frank Lloyd Wright.
Wright's residential designs of this era were known as "prairie houses" because the designs complemented the land around Chicago. Prairie Style houses often have a combination of these features: one or two stories with one-story projections, an open floor plan, low-pitched roofs with broad, overhanging eaves, strong horizontal lines, ribbons of windows, a prominent central chimney, built-in stylized cabinetry, and a wide use of natural materials – especially stone and wood.
What is Daniel Libeskind's most famous museum?
Describe it.
Jewish Museum in Berlin.
The external cladding of the building is completely covered in zinc and titanium, elements that Libeskind usually uses in order to create translucent and completely reflective surfaces and at the same time totally closed, interrupted only by small windows which, like small slits, penetrate the facade.
What are the main features of Norman Foster's style? Name and describe one of his major works.
- energy problem solving/environmental impact reduction --> innovative use of materials such as steel and glass to make the building less impactful from the outside.
- high-tech architecture;
- use of curvilinear shapes.
Major works: 30 St Mary Axe (the Gherkin); London Town Hall, HSBC Building, The Parliament Building..
Which architect, among the ones we've studied, is famous for not respecting the budget of his projects?
Which other architect is known for - usually - respecting it?
Santiago Calatrava.
Frank Gehry.
How would you define Giuseppe Terragni's style?
Describe its building "Casa del Fascio".
Italian rationalism:
- the use of new materials for the structure
- functionalism
- the use of simple volumes, without superfluous decorations
Place: Como
Old function: office of the National Fascist Party
New function: Finance Police offices
The building privileges functional aspects of architecture, removing decoration and making sure that the form is subordinated to the function.
It is built in Trani marble and black Belgian marble.
What are the "Five Points of Architecture" according to Le Corbusier?
1. the pilotis;
2. the garden roofs;
3. the free plant;
4. the ribbon window;
5. the free façade.
What are the most important features of contemporary architecture?
- re-use of old buildings;
- neo-organic architecture;
- use of recyclable materials;
- green architecture;
- deconstructivism;
- High Tech.
What are the major features of Zaha Hadid's architecture?
- strong use of ductile but resistant materials;
- fragmentation of the surfaces in order to create a sense of distortion and dislocation;
- use of pure geometrical forms;
- Deconstructivism
Who designed the Guggenheim Museum of Bilbao? Describe the building.
Frank Gehry.
The building has a different shape on each side: on the side of the river it looks like a ship; from above the building’s plan resembles a flower, with petals spreading out around a central atrium.
It is mainly made of titanium and stone slabs.
Who designed "Villa Savoye"?
Describe the building.
It is a luxury residence in which the Savoye family intended to spend their weekends.The building was conceived by Le Corbusier as a true programmatic architecture, as the perfect formal and functional synthesis of the five points of architecture.
It is built in reinforced concrete, plastered white, and glass, with metal frames.
Who was Antoni Gaudí? What are his major works?
Gaudí was the most famous Spanish modernist architect.
He is famous for some residential buildings, such as Casa Batlló and Casa Milá, for the church "Sagrada Familia" and the private park "Park Güell"
Name a contemporary architect you know. Then, describe their style and one of their major works (function / position / materials..)
...
Who designed the “Athens Olympic Park”? Describe the building.
Santiago Calatrava.
Location/Function→ This Sports centre its
collacate in Greece, this centre it is also one of
the most important monuments of Athens after
the Acropolis.
Materials used→ Polycarbonate, steel, concrate,
glass and wood
Porblems→ Calatrava had many problems in this
project for example the changes to the project
over in the years, another proplem is when he
have permit to build the centre he had a fear of
terrorist attacks during in the process of the
construction.
Which contemporary architects worked on already-existing projects by restructuring them or adding new buildings/parts to the old ones?
Name at least 2
Frank Gehry - his house in Santa Monica (California)
Zaha Hadid - Vitra Museum (Germany)
Renzo Piano - the ancient port of Genoa
Norman Foster - the Parliament building (Berlin)