Week 12- Modernism in America (part two)
Week 12- Modernism in America (part two)
Chapter 23,34
Mid-Century Modernism (1950–1960)
Architecture
- Flat
roofs, angular details, and asymmetrical profiles
- Expansive
glass walls, clean lines, and wide open floor plans
- First
to incorporate bi-level structures
- Integrated
indoor and outdoor living spaces
- Extremely
popular on the West Coast
Color Schemes
- Warm,
earthy tones inspired by nature:
- Olive
green, burnt umber, pumpkin, mustard yellow
- Trendy
mid-century colors:
- Pink,
gray, turquoise, black, yellow
Furnishings & Materials
- Use of
innovative materials:
- Plastics,
resin, metal composites, laminates, fiberglass
- Emphasis
on creativity and experimentation
Key Furniture Designers
- Eero
Saarinen
- Charles
and Ray Eames
- George
Nelson
- Isamu
Noguchi
Manufacturers
- Knoll
- Herman
Miller
Joseph Eichler (1900–1974)
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- California
real-estate developer inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright
- Created
Mid-Century tract housing for average American families
- Architectural
features:
- Post
and beam construction, open floor plans
- Glass
walls, concrete floors with radiant heat
- Low-slope
or A-frame roofs
- Built
over 11,000 homes
Eero Saarinen (1910–1961)
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- Education:
Yale School of Architecture
- Finnish-American
architect and industrial designer
- Collaborated
with Charles and Ray Eames
- Produced furniture for Knoll (e.g., Tulip Chair)
Characteristics and Style:
- Flexible
approach to modernism based on client needs
- Neo-futuristic
elements
- Known
for sweeping curves and extensive use of glass
- Belief:
“The purpose of architecture is to shelter and enhance man’s life on
earth…”
Methods and Materials:
- Sculptural
furniture designs
- Used
fiberglass and aluminum
- Favored
bold primary colors: red, orange, yellow, white
Knoll
- Founded
in 1938 in New York by Hans and Florence Knoll
- Offered:
- Office
systems, furniture, textiles, and commercial accessories
- Collaborated
with top designers, including Eero Saarinen
Charles and Ray Eames
Charles Eames (1907–1978)
- Education:
Architecture, Washington University
- Architect
and Industrial Designer
- Studied/taught
at Cranbrook Academy
Ray Eames (1912–1988)
- Education:
Bennett Women’s College and Cranbrook Academy
- Quote:
“Anything I can do, Ray can do better” – Charles Eames
Characteristics and Style:
- Influenced
American family lifestyle
- Prioritized
ergonomics in furniture design
- Designed
for Herman Miller
Methods and Materials:
- Innovated
with molded plywood
- Used
modern materials: plywood, plastics, molded fiberglass
- Created
aluminum-framed furniture
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Herman Miller
- Founded
in 1905 as "Star Furniture Company"; renamed in 1960
- Based
in Zeeland, Michigan
- Director
of Design: George Nelson (from 1945, for 40 years)
Products & Collaborations:
- Office
furniture and equipment
- Modern
home furnishings
- Partnered
with designers like Charles and Ray Eames
George Nelson (1908–1986)
- Education:
Architecture, Yale University
- Director
of Design at Herman Miller
- Created
over 80 furniture pieces for the company
- Iconic
figure in American modern design
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Isamu Noguchi (1904–1988)
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- Studied
at Columbia University (did not graduate)
- Artist,
designer, and landscape architect
- Renowned
for sculpture and large-scale public works
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One Step Further:
Arne Jacobsen
"Few Danish architects are as widely known and admired, both in Denmark and around the world, as Arne Jacobsen (1902-1971). Over six decades, he left his mark on the world of architecture and design and earned his place as one of most significant figures in Danish design history.
In his work, Arne Jacobsen was often ahead of his time. With a talent for finding and adopting new solutions, he repeatedly showed a keen ability to anticipate future trends and developments. Over time, his name has come to epitomize simple, iconic forms and the marriage of aesthetics and function.
One consistent characteristic of Arne Jacobsen’s work is the combination of architecture and design. In projects such as the SAS Royal Hotel (1960) and St. Catherine’s College in Oxford (1964), he not only created the architecture but also designed every last detail of the interiors, making each project a gesamtkunstwerk, a total work of art. From Arne Jacobsen’s studio flowed furniture, lamps, patterns, clocks, cutlery and glassware that were both independent designs and part of the holistic expressions that Arne Jacobsen aimed for."
https://arnejacobsen.com/life/biography/
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Bethany,
ReplyDeleteLovely and compelling Blog post on Mid-Century Modern. You provided us with so many detail facts about this design period. I also enjoyed all of the images. I enjoyed the numerous Eichler homes you showed us. Yor summary of the Eames, Charles Nelson and Isamu Noguchi were excellent. I found your deeper dive into Arne Jacobsen interesting. I was not familiar with his work! 50/50 points