Reading Comprehension 6

Interior Design Since 1900, Massey (pg. 35)

1] The Art Nouveau style of design incorporates motifs, undulating curves and high style to create a new way of design that is beautiful and full of nature. Art Nouveau was the first style catered not toward the very wealthy, but toward the middle class. It was a style that aimed to create architecture and interiors as a whole, placing as much emphasis on interiors as exteriors. The iron age and new advances made the style period possible. It was the designers who fully embraced the movement and brought it to life in interiors all over the world. " Art Nouveau was indebted to the Arts and Crafts for its flowing line, simplicity in furniture design and rejection of academic models." (Massey pg. 33)

In Belgium, the designer Victor Horta brought to life and epitomized the style through his use of a vine motif on the walls, floors and the winding tendrils in his first Art Nouveau residence, Tassel House. He went on to design several more domestic residences. The Tassel House is the most remembered, because it pioneered the interior style in Belgium. The wall paper clearly shows a tie back to England with Hortas use of an English wall-paper. Even though Horta mostly designs interiors, he got his start designing a government building for one of the socialist parties, making the style associated with socialism in Belgium.













Interior Design Since 1900 (pg.43)

Horta had severall contemporaries, one of which was the Parisian designer Hector Guimard. Guimard was inspired by the Art Nouveau style upon meeting Horta and viewing the Tassel House in Belgium. He immediately applied the style to the interior of an apartment complex he was working on in France. Another important figure who contributed to the style catching on in France was Van de Velde. He was close to artists and art critics. Being close to the art world influenced his design, and allowed him an outlet to display the style.


2] The major theme of the modern movement was "less is more". This attitude can clearly be seen with the de-materialization of the Bauhaus through the use of a glass curtain wall. The architects and designers during this time aimed for "truth in materials". The goal of the style was to strip away all unnecessary elements of a building or home. This led to interiors that some critics considered cold and de-humanized. The use of the curtain wall and exposure of metal beams is still popular in many commercial buildings today.




















Understanding Architecture, Roth (pg. 518)


3]

Point summary

http://www.taracronica.com/bonnie/rule-breaker

I chose this image because it is a graphical and literal representation of what the alternatives unit was about, and how my classmates viewed it.

For my summary I read point essays by, Katherine Mccain, Kayla McDonagh, and Kacie Leisure. All of my classmates had excellent point of view.

For the alternatives unit I loved Katherine Mccains view of breaking the rules. In her point of view she states "The people who help guide our lives do this to keep us on the right path until we can make a good decision ourselves." This quote is directly related to the statement 'know the rules before you break the rules'. All three of my classmates related well to the fact that rules were being bent and broken. Kacie Leisure reminded me that styles were being combined. I think this mixing of styles allowed new styles to emerge by looking at design from a new perspective. By reading these different points, I realize this unit was all about rules being

broken.

http://www.sarahsensei.net/dmz.html

I chose this image because it's about coming together just like the reflections unit is about style from all over the world coming together.

By reading other points of view on the reflections unit, I concluded that the same thing can be said in many different ways. The reflections unit was all about change. Many different design voices could be heard at once. It was about bringing these different perspectives together. From revolution to thinking outside the box, something new and exciting was about to happen. And design was influenced by many different parts of the world.

I enjoyed my classmates way of writing on the unit purely from their own perspectives aand understanding rather than using a lot of examples of architecture. After reading these points, I will make my final point essay more from my own perspective.

Point: Reflections

http://www.abcgallery.com/W/whistler/whistler44.html

In this unit we explored how the boundaries of classical design were tested. Lots of different ideas about design were being discussed and utilized by many different people. Beginning with the Crystal Palace a design revolution using glass and steel kicked off the industrial age. With these new materials, design revolutionized and many more possibilities opened up. This period was a time of exploration where designers broke the rules and looked at new ways to design. The new expanding middle class demanded a wider ranch of thinking about architecture. Buildings like Place de vosges are made to house middle class families. The buildings are made to look like grand palaces but are actually many units in one.

Many new building designs were employed thanks to the new cheap production of iron and glass. Crystal palace was built to house items from all over the world for sale. It was a new utilitarian design, made more for function than for beauty. There was a debate about what was the true style, Crystal Palace or the items inside. Iron and glass together were also utilized for many other building needs including libraries, train depots and shopping centers. The use of these materials eventually led to the rising of skyscrapers.

Up until now buildings have been made based on classical design, so there wasn't any other language being spoken. Theory making becomes as important as actual practice. Alot of ideas are worked out on paper, but never actualy realized. During this time, science is also on the rise, this contributes to the new and exciting architecture being realized. There is also a mixing of styles which leads to new design.

Britain had many colonies across the world and some of the architecture reflected the gains they made from foreign lands. One of Britains colonies was America. She was a new country and needed to prove to the world she could be taken seriously. Southern states had a strong sense of classical styles, and employed this in the architecture and artifact design. Even after the revolution of 1776, America still employed styles from across the pond.


One of the many voices being heard about design was from our neighbors in the East. These neighbors had a large influence on the design of architecture and artifacts. All the way from the simple integration of shelves into the structure as in the Peacock room (London ca. 1876), all the way to the opulent over worked Royal Pavilion (Brighton England ca. 1815).
This influence could also be seen in clothing design and furniture through the simple use of lines and geometry.






http://www.hevac-heritage.org/landmark_buildings/residential/residential.htm
Overall this unit was about freedom from the rules. It was about exploring new ideas in design, breaking away from the classical. It was about finding a new language and fluid rules. There was a dialog being held about the unexplored and how to realize it. Many voices were being heard and styles were commingled to create new imagined and sometimes utilitarian design.

While looking up spaces online I came across this living room with a rococo influence. The designer used shells, cherubs and curvy lines around the window and fireplace. I normally wouldn't lean toward liking rococo, however this space has just the right touch without being too literal.

Reading Comprehension 5

Harwood, page 14

[1] To me the clay pot represents a revolution in design. The clay pot allowed many civilizations to store grain to get them through the colder months when there was no harvest. This storing of grain also allowed these cultures to have a more leisurely lifestyle. The pots were also another me

ans of artistic expression. The clay pot to me represents a revolution in freedom. The freedom to pursue other activities in place of gathering. The freedom to develop a skill creating the pots and the freedom of the artist to imprint his 'label' on individual pots.

[2]

eastern-influence-buddha.jpg

Artifact

Images of Buddha have become quit popular in American decor lately. One such item is the Buddha statue used to decorate interior spaces and gardens in American houses. Besides referring to the Chinese religion of Buddhism, these statues also incorporate natural materials such as wood and stone. The use of Buddha also points to a new movement in the East. More people are trying to take a holistic approach by integrating more spiritual practices into their lives. These practices include meditation yoga and Zen just to name a few.

apartment_181_1.jpg

Space

The Eastern influence in this space can be seen in the use of plants representing nature being brought indoors.The use of partitions is also common in Japanese design allowing space to be easily changeable. The overall floor plan of this space is very open which is common in Japanese planning. The integration of the plants as decor is reminiscent of the Chinese style. The use of repeated geometric shapes is als

o a well defined Eastern style. It can be seen in the repeated use of rectangles. Rectangles are repeated in the glass partition, on the two bottom stairs, the painting above the bed, and the windows. The space is also free of clutter and minimalist. Also the use of natural materials, stone, and wood, goes with the Eastern philosophy of man being of nature and its essential

importance of being integrated into living spaces.

eastern07.jpg

Building

This Ranch style New England home was renovated to include some Eastern features. It has many Asi

an inspired influences including bamboo flooring and maple cabinetry on the interior. On the exterior there are plants near the home As you walk outside there are trees only feet away from the home. The cantilevered roofs show the asymmetry used in Asian styling and sliding glass doors help integrate exterior and interior spaces seamlessly when used. The courtyard area is balanced on either side by the previously existing home on one side and the addition on the other. Rooms overlook the

courtyard making them feel open to the outdoors.

jardin-Albert-Kahn-presentation.jpg

Place

Albert Kahn is a garden

designer. He designs gardens in France influenced by the East. This garden on the outskirts of Paris, balances several elements of nature. The elements together are water, rocks, earth, and plants, all of which are necessary to create a balance in the natural world.