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20th Century Architecture - Brief DescriptionModern Architecture or Modernism was a product of the mid-20th century. Famously coined as the International Style by Reyner Banham, the Modern 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 Modern 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 huge developments on the edge of town or beyond. Technology was invoked with the admiration for emerging development of planes, cars, ships and trains. Modern Architecture was to evoke streamlined looks and some physical technology from these transport types. Famously the Modern Architect 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. Celebated Modern Architecture - Barcelona Pavilion  photograph © adrian welch 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. Modern ArchitectsThe key Modern Architects are generally accepted as Le Corbusier, Mies van der Rohe and Frank Lloyd Wright though clearly many will suggest others, such as Walter Gropius. Many Modern Architects had to flee Germany around the time of World War II, leaving for the USA or UK. The Scandinavian school of Modern Architects were known for a softer approach, more integrated into regional traditions, for example Jacobsen, Aaalto, Häring and Asplund.Modern Architects that took a strong polemical line include Loos, Kahn and Mies Van der Rohe. Loos was famous for his doctrine of 'Ornament is Crime' and Mies for 'Less is More' - a puritanical, rectilinear architectural style. Le Corbusier declared 'form follows function' thus cutting out much poetry and wit from designing buildings. Post-Modernism was in many ways a reaction to this overly rigid stylistic concept which resulted in buildings by Philip Johnson and Jim Stirling that actively encouraged humour. 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 Modern Architecture 20th Century ArchitectPerhaps the most celebrated Modern architect was Le CorbusierAlso Alvar Aalto, Mies van der Rohe, Frank Lloyd Wright and Walter Gropius Modern Architects photos Modern Architects - LinksAlvar AaltoGunnar 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 Barcelona Architecture Hong Kong Architecture London Architecture New York Architecture Contemporary ArchitectsSantiago CalatravaDavid Chipperfield Foster + Partners Frank Gehry Zaha Hadid Architects Steven Holl Toyo Ito Eva Jiricna Daniel Libeskind MVRDV Richard Meier Enric Miralles Richard Rogers Snohetta Full List of our featured Modern Architects World Architects - by CityBarcelona ArchitectsCambridge Architects Hong Kong Architects London Architects New York Architects Paris Architects Modern Homes |
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