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.