Modern Architect - Links to Information on Key Studios, News, Projects, Practice 20th Century Architecture - Brief Description e-architect

Modern Architects

Modern Architecture or Modernism was a product of the mid-20th century. Famously coined as the International Style by Reyner Banham, the style was linked notably with Le Corbusier and central European and generally western architecture. Modernist Architecture eventually made its way to the Developing World and also to colder climates in the North where the white concrete didn't always weather so well. The movement - also referred to controversially as a 'style' by some - bound morality, technology and art together. Morality in that there was an aim to improve humanity's lot, notably whole scale demolition of slums to make way for clean modern housing. This was called comprehensive redevelopment and in the UK one of the most notorious examples is Glasgow: slums were cleared but so were communities. The city was strangled by a motorway that divided residential areas and mostly lower social classes were transferred to hgue developemnts on the edge of town or beyond. Technology was invoked with the admiration for emerging development of planes, cars, ships and trains. Architecture was to evoke streamlined looks and some physical technology from these transport types. Famously Le Corbusier in vers une Architecture lauded the world of transport for having the courage to use new techology whilst architecture had become lost in the world of style, of mannerism and above all, tradition. Art because ultimately Modern Architecture was based on stylistic devices that not always totally integrated into the above two aspects. Le Corbusier defined five points, such as fenetre longeur and point columns: essentially the drive was towards clean lines with a sense of lightness. A typical example would be a villa by Le Corbusier - white concrete, large areas of glass, floating mass / cantilevers and lack of ornamentation. But there were other Modernist Architects who did not use much white-rendered or painted concrete and even Le Corbusier was later to leave this light functionalist style for a more expressive architecture. Modern Architecture was associated with some great architects and some powerful countries and companies. It became the equivalent of the Classical Style in the Georgian period, ie the establishment architecture, the status quo. The key Modern Architects are generally accepted to be Le Corbusier, Mies van der Rohe and Frank Lloyd Wright though clearly many will suggest others, such as Walter Gropius. Since the seventies architecture styles have become more fractured and we have - amongst what could be termed contemporary architects - post-modernists, neo-modernists, deconstructivists, contextualists, expressionists and so on. 'Contemporary Architects' suggests a position that is anti-vernacular, comfortable with new materials and non-local materials & forms, using architectural language that is not generally steeped in past typographies or traditions. There are not many architects today who would describe themselves as 'Modern Architects' but it would be interesting to hear from any that do. Contemporary Architects 20th Century Perhaps the most celebrated Modern architect was Le Corbusier Also Alvar Aalto, Mies van der Rohe, Frank Lloyd Wright and Walter Gropius Modern Architects photos MODERN ARCHITECTS Alvar Aalto Gunnar Asplund Luis Barragan Marcel Breuer Pierre Chareau Wells Coates Joseph Emberton Max Fry Ernö Goldfinger Walter Gropius Hugo Häring Herman Hertzberger Howard, Killick, Partridge & Amis Arne Jacobsen Philip Johnson Louis Kahn Denys Lasdun John Lautner Sigurd Lewerentz Adolf Loos Berthold Lubetkin Robert Mallet-Stevens Robert Matthew Pier Luigi Nervi Richard Neutra Eero Saarinen Hans Scharoun Rudolf Schindler James Stirling Jorn Utzon Mies Van der Rohe Aldo van Eyck Frank Lloyd Wright Modern Architects books Modern Houses Barcelona Architecture Cambridge Architecture Copenhagen Architecture Hong Kong Architecture New York Architecture Paris Architecture Contemporary Architects: Santiago Calatrava David Chipperfield Terry Farrell Feilden Clegg Bradley Foster & Partners Future Systems Architects Frank Gehry Zaha Hadid Architects Steven Holl Toyo Ito Eva Jiricna Henning Larsen Daniel Libeskind MVRDV Richard Meier Enric Miralles Cesar Pelli Ian Ritchie Architects Richard Rogers Moshe Safdie Snohetta Full List of our featured Modern Architects World Architects - by City: Barcelona Architects Cambridge Architects Hong Kong Architects New York Architects Paris Architects World Architecture : e-architect - a guide to key buildings across the globe Make sure your architectural structure is safe by reviewing the building code. You can also find advice on how to follow Exterior Insulation Finish Systems. There is an important new home defect checklist that should be reviewed. When designed your home you want to be aware of energy-saving codes. Modern Architecture Books Comments / photos for the Modern Architects page welcome: info@e-architect.co.uk Modern Architects - page : adrian welch