INT331MV

 Post Modernism Postmodernism became a trend in the early 1980s when the country was coming out of a recession. With this big shift in society, the design world shifted along with it by rejecting modernism and tracking back to many movements before its time. Not only did people want to honor the past styles, but they also wanted to become more sustainable in their ways of living, so recycling old furniture brought in classic styles all while being environmentally friendly. Another big shift of this time took place in the technology world with the introduction of computers. Here commercial office building layouts changed along with the furniture the workers would be using. Here comfortability and partialism became key in designing. After a long era of modernism, designers such as Ettors Sottsass, Michele de Lucchi, Michael Graves, and George Sowden banded together from across the world to create the Memphis Movement, a plan to abolish modernism. Their style was said to be inspir...

 Mid-Century Modernism  In this week’s lectures and notes, we focused on mid-century modernism in America. Major characteristics of this time include flat roofs, glass facades, open floor plans, the connection from inside to outside, a-symmetry and earthy tones in architecture, and fun bright colors in furniture.   Joseph Eichler was a designer of this time (1900-1974) who started in the residential realm as a real estate agent. After he studied some of Frank Lloyd Wright's work he became inspired and decided to become a designer himself. Qualities of his homes include open floor plans, glass, concrete, and low-sloped roofs. His structures are minimal and look almost like commercial buildings with their low-sloped to flat roofs yet still give a residential feel through the use of landscape. Another designer of this time was Eero Saarinen, an architect and industrial designer who studied at Yale. Although he designed in the modern era, his designs reflected the needs a...

 Modernism in America As we move through history the spread of culture quickened due to the advances of technology. These modern advances helped spread modernism over the globe and introduced the new style at a faster pace than previous design strategies. Another factor that played into the spread of modernism to America was World War II which was taking place in Europe at the time. May European people fled to America to escape the war and with them, they brought their culture and ways of living. Although modernism was already introduced at this time, it shifted from theoretical and idealistic to practical and applied. A designer who embodies modernism, and one we have talked about in previous lectures, is Frank Lloyd Wright. In post-war his work was minimal but shifted to fit the new definition of modernism. In his later work, his style is still evident and lacks the minimalistic modernism that we see from Mies Van Der Rohe or Le Corbusier. Here he still incorporates some deta...