Nature and the machine: mies

van der rohe, wright and le

Corbusier in the 1930s
An article from Modern Architecture since 1900 by William
J.R.Curtis, published by Phaidon press, London, 1996

Formation Crystallization Dissemination

Up to 1918 1918 to 1940 1940 to present

IU1543000038 Ruchesha P
 “In the 1930s, the filtering down, extension and elaboration of central
principles of modern architecture was complicated and enriched by the
growth of new branches far from the points of origin, sometimes in places
with quite different climates, traditions, social projects and ways of
building.”

‘internal’ impulses and necessities ‘external’ pressures and stimuli

Free plan and facade Depression

Horizontality Emergence of totalitarianism
‘type-forms’ Regional differentiation
Grid and extending curve Symbolic devaluation
Organic textures and weathering

“Only nature is the inspiring and true, only Nature can be the support for
human works. But do not render Nature, as the landscapist do, showing
only outward aspect. Penetrate the cause of it, its form and vital
development…”
Charles L’Eplattenier, 1906
What to do next?
1.1

2.1

Mies van der Rohe (1886-1969)

1.2 “Less is more” and “God is in the details”

Civic buildings and Monuments

• Symmetry • Horizontality

2.2 • Frontality • Free plan and façade

• Axiality • Grid
1.1 Seagram building new York 1958, plan.
1.2 Seagram building entrance.
1.3 Seagram building perspective view.
2.1 New National gallery Berlin 1968, plan.
2.2 New National gallery looking from inside.
2.3 New National gallery perspective view.
3 Bauakademie in Berlin von Karl Friedrich Schinkel 1831, plan.
1.3 2.3
4.1 5.1

5.5

4.2 5.2
Residences
• Asymmetry • Horizontality
• Fluidity • Free plan and façade
• Interlocking • Extending curve
volumes
5.3
4.1 Farnsworth House in Illinois 1946, plan.
4.3 4.2 Farnsworth House in Illinois 1946, view from inside.
4.3 Farnsworth House in Illinois 1946, interior.
4.4 Farnsworth House in Illinois 1946, perspective view.
5.1 Tugendhat house brno 1929-30, street level plan.
5.2 Tugendhat house brno 1929-30, outside inside relationship.
5.3 Tugendhat house brno 1929-30, interior.
5.4 Tugendhat house brno 1929-30, perspective view
5.5 Tugendhat house brno 1929-30, first level plan.
4.4 5.4
 Upon returning to
Berlin, became
Mies van der Rohe He joined the firm, involved in the very
was born in 1886 in where he met Le active artistic scene Nazi first came to
Aachen, Germany, a Corbusier and Walter of the 1920s, when power and forced He created some of
centre of heavy Gropius, who were Bauhaus De Stijl and He designed shutdown of the the most iconic
industry. also working under Expressionism were Germany pavilion for Bauhaus of which he buildings starting
Behrens. all emerging. the World’s Fair was director. from this year.

1886 1905 1907 1915 1920 1924 1929 1930 1933 1937 1940 1969

He moved to Berlin to From 1915 to 1918, he He collaborated with He became the director He migrated to the He died in Chicago.
work for architect and served in the war. Lilly Reich. of the Bauhaus, working United States at the
furniture designer to de-politicize the invitation of the
Bruno Paul. institution and refocus Armour Institute in
its efforts on rigorous Chicago.
theory and arts training.
6.2 6.3

Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959)

Residences
• Nature • Horizontality
• Materiality • Free plan and façade
• Order • ‘Type-forms’
• Organic textures and
weathering

6.1 Fallingwater, Bear Run, Pennsylvania, 1934, Pennsylvania, site plan.

6.2 Fallingwater, Bear Run, Pennsylvania, 1934, Pennsylvania, Ground level plan.
6.1 6.3 Fallingwater, Bear Run, Pennsylvania, 1934, Pennsylvania, South elevation.
 1902 7 1907 8

1939 9 1948 10

6.5 1954 11 1987 12

The sense of shelter being provided by

the overhangs and by screen like
windows detailed to enhance the
vertical and horizontal.

6.4 Fallingwater, Bear Run, Pennsylvania, 1934, Pennsylvania.

6.5 Fallingwater, Bear Run, Pennsylvania, 1934, Pennsylvania.
7 Arthur Heurtley House, 1902, the Prairie style.
8 Avery Coonley House, 1907, the Prairie style.
9 Bernard Schwartz House, 1939.
10 Cedar Rock, 1948.
11 Bachman-Wilson House , 1954.
12 C. Leigh Stevens House, 1987.
6.4
6.2 6.3

Civic buildings and offices

• Grid • Horizontality
• Materiality • Free plan and façade
• Order • Organic textures and
weathering

6.1 Fallingwater, Bear Run, Pennsylvania, 1934, Pennsylvania, site plan.

6.2 Fallingwater, Bear Run, Pennsylvania, 1934, Pennsylvania, Ground level plan.
6.1 6.3 Fallingwater, Bear Run, Pennsylvania, 1934, Pennsylvania, South elevation.
 He marries Catherine Designs Fallingwater Mayor Richard Daley
Lee Tobin House for Edgar J. of Chicago declares
Frank Lloyd Wright Designs his own He opens his own He opens an office in Kaufmann, Bear Run, October 17 "Frank
was born in 1867. home in Oak Park, IL practice in Chicago. Chicago. PA Lloyd Wright Day"

1867 1887 1889 1890 1893 1894 1912 1932 1934 1940 1956 1959

He moved to Chicago. Begins working with First exhibition of his His works An Wright founds He dies on April 9 in
Adler and Sullivan. work is held at the Autobiography and The the Frank Lloyd Arizona.
Chicago Architectural Disappearing City are Wright Foundation.
Club. published.
6.2 6.3

Le Corbusier(1887-1965)

• Order • Free plan and façade

• Grid and • ‘Type-forms’
extending
curve • Organic textures and
weathering
• Modulor

6.1 Fallingwater, Bear Run, Pennsylvania, 1934, Pennsylvania, site plan.

6.2 Fallingwater, Bear Run, Pennsylvania, 1934, Pennsylvania, Ground level plan.
6.1 6.3 Fallingwater, Bear Run, Pennsylvania, 1934, Pennsylvania, South elevation.
How to overcome the schisms resulting from the division of labour,
how to employ the machine yet maintain a sense of wholeness
socially and visually, how to reintegrate man and ‘nature’.
References
Mies van der rohe

https://www.theartstory.org/artist-mies-van-der-rohe-ludwig.htm

https://www.dezeen.com/2018/11/19/mies-van-der-rohe-modernist-architect-third-director-bauhaus-100/

https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/mies-van-der-rohe-critical-biography-book

https://www.archdaily.com/784297/20-things-you-didnt-know-about-mies-van-der-rohe

https://www.moma.org/artists/7166

http://miessociety.org/mies/projects/

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ludwig-Mies-van-der-Rohe

http://www.architecture.org/learn/resources/architecture-dictionary/entry/ludwig-mies-van-der-rohe/

https://www.wright20.com/auctions/2016/10/design/237

Frank Lloyd Wright

http://arthistoryteachingresources.org/lessons/architecture-since-1900/

http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/history-of-art/arts-and-crafts.htm

http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/architecture/frank-lloyd-wright.htm

http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/architecture/twentieth-century.htm

http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1687/the-rise-and-fall-of-modernist-architecture

http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/architecture/twentieth-century.htm

https://www.encyclopedia.com/literature-and-arts/art-and-architecture/architecture/modern-architecture

Le Corbusier

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Le-Corbusier

https://www.france24.com/en/20150429-le-corbusier-fascism-row-taints-legacy-france-foremost-architect

http://www.galinsky.com/buildings/refuge/index.htm