Key Idea of Modern Architecture





                After studying the various movements which contributed to the emergence of modern architecture, there is one key idea that I see commonly running through each of them.  Each one began from an almost rebellious attitude toward continuing architectural styles from the past.  Supporters of the movements seemed to see it as their duty to not only create a new and better architectural style for the modern world, but also to steer society in the direction of change.

Example of ornate achitecture
from the past.

                The rebellious nature which I am referencing can first be found in the values of the Arts and Crafts movement.  Up until the time when this style began to take shape in the 1880s, architecture was valued on the level of prestige and grandeur that could be attained through the use of ornate details and costly materials.  As industrialization became more and more a part of everyday life, architects began integrating steel structure with these details and costly materials.  Supporters of the Arts and Crafts movement rebelled against this trend, refusing to allow industrialization to determine a muddled, crossbreed architectural style.  They believed the new direction of architecture should cast off the stipulations of past styles, and exist independently of the latest societal mania for industrialization.  While their intentions were good, however, what they believed at the time to be a fad in the end grew into the new norm.  Industrial materials and methods were here to stay, and the rebellious attitude exhibited by the Arts and Crafts movement found its way into other new styles.

The Red House, an example of
Arts and Crafts architecture.

                Beginning with the Art Nouveau style and progressing into many other styles to follow, the new building technology brought about by industrialization became the centerpiece of attention.  Some believed that with this new technology should arise a corresponding new architectural style.  For example, De Stijl was based on the idea similar to that of Arts and Crafts that the modern world should have its own new style not to be held back by the demands of past styles.  With industrialization, society was moving forward into a new age of sophistication.  Movements like De Stijl were aimed at rebelling against the outdated conception of sophistication in ornate details and compelling society to see elegance in simplicity, a new style for a new, changed world.  This idea continued throughout the remainder of the modern movements which we studied, sometimes more strongly than others.  At times the idea of rebellion was so strong it frightened people, as with the Bauhaus school or with Russian Constructivism, and some projects became almost obnoxious with the amount of crudeness and simplicity targeted at changing our perception of good architecture.  However it was addressed, though, the key idea remained constant through all divisions of the modern movements—architectural styles of the past were unfitting for the new world, as were outdated societal values, and a new style was needed to bring about necessary change.

Rietveld Schroder House, an example of De Stijl architecture.

Works Cited:

http://www.exploring-castles.com/characteristics_of_gothic_architecture.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_Red_House,_Bexleyheath.JPG

http://www.flickr.com/photos/j-fish/galleries/72157628182847177/#photo_2640649956