Week 13: Mid Century Modernism

 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 and wants of his clients, not the trends that were relevant at the time. Much like Antoni Gaudi, Saarinen used curves and sculpture-like waves in his designs with modern materials. This is seen prominently in his furniture because the use of right angles is eliminated.

The Eames couple, Charles and Ray, were designers who took a different approach to furniture. During this time, they experimented with new materials such as fiberglass and plastic. They also took existing materials and made unusual ways to contort them into usable pieces. These pieces usually consist of two parts, the seat, made out of one material, and the legs, usually metal. Many of their designs are still used today and seen in homes across the world.

George Nelson, another designer of the time, uses a lot of the same principles of the Eames couple but seems to have a more earthy tone in the material. Rather than using plastic or fiberglass, he uses fabrics, wood, and other materials that have been used far before their time. Regardless of all these designer's styles and methods of designing, this era was a time for experimenting and pushing the boundaries. Whether it be through design or materials, the mid-century modern time changed the way we look at homes and furniture.

One Step Further: Charles and Ray Eames Molded Plastic Chair

The Couple released their fiberglass armchair in 1950. It was created for the international competition for an optional low-cost furniture design. Due to World War II, materials and supplies were limited making the cost of things such as building materials extremely expensive. In its beginning designs the chair consisted of a molded plastic seat, an aluminum base, and an upholstered fabric cushion. Later on, and even still today, the chair comes in a variety of colors and materials. The Eames focused their designs on comfort and functionality, and with their molded plastic chair it is almost like they took a person in a relaxed position and created a chair out of their body.

Eames Chair History — Charles And Ray Eames Chair Design (elledecor.com)

A Lounge Chair for the End of the World | Magazine | MoMA