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Theory of Architecture

 

A Textbook for Architecture Students

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TO MY WIFE AND FIVE STARS

Content

Acknowledgment

Introduction

Chapter 1   The Beginning of Modernization

1. The Industrial Revolution.
2. Arts and Architectural Movements (19th – 20th centuries)
3. Architectural Schools and Tendencies

Chapter 2   Modern Architecture and the International Style

Chapter 3  Pioneers of Modern Architecture.

• Le Corbusier (1887 – 1965)
• Walter Gropius (1883 – 1969)
• Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (1886-1969)
• Frank Lloyd Wright (1867 - 1959)

Chapter 4   Metabolism Movement 1960s.

Chapter 5   Late-modern Architecture: 1980s – Present.

Chapter 6   Postmodern architecture.

Chapter 7   Deconstructivism: Deconstruction architecture.

Chapter 8   Sustainable Architecture.

Chapter 9   Contextualism: Contextual Architecture.

Chapter 10 Community Architecture: Self-help Building.

Chapter 11 Place and Phenomena.

Chapter 12 Futuristic Architecture.

Conclusion

Image Credits

References

Introduction

Theory of architecture can simply be perceived as explanations of architectural works or styles in a specific time and place. It is also responsible of introducing a logical criticism on the different architectural tendencies and approaches to the architectural practice. From a philosophical perspective, theory of architecture introduces questions and explores new design thoughts that could be used as useful guiding principles to the architectural practice. However, throughout history theory of architecture offered a historical record of architects’ creative ideas and thoughts that can be considered as a fundamental element in shaping the built environment. This book is written in an easy and clear language that can be comprehended by students and a wide variety of audiences who would like to experience architecture. It represents a brief analysis of the various architectural styles and approaches since the industrial revolution and the introduction of modernism as a social movement. The book includes essential principles and basic architectural issues that explain and illustrate important architectural styles and movements and their role in the development of the architectural practice.

Chapter 1

The Beginning of Modernization

 

1. The Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution was a major shift of technological, socioeconomic, and cultural conditions that occurred in the second half of the 18th century and early 19th century, maily in Europe. The Industrial Revolution marked a major turning point in human social history, almost every aspect of daily life and human society is, eventually, in some way influenced. Living conditions during the Industrial Revolution varied from the splendour of the homes of the owners to the squalor of the lives of the workers.

 

Characteristics of the Industrial Revolution

The major changes during the era of the Industrial Revolution were:

1. The replacement of organic fuels based on wood with fossil fuel based on coal.
2. The use of refined coal, which led to the introduction of steam-powered engines by james Watt, such as ships, railways in the 19th century.

 

Architecture and the Industrial revolution:

1. The introduction of new building technology and materials such as: metal, iron, and expansive glass.
2. The engineer’s role became increasingly important.
3. Architects concentrated on aesthetics, the humanist aspects, and the visual qualities derived usually from historical prototypes.
4. The beginning of the separation between architecture and engineering.

 

Examples of buildings and structures of the industrial revolution:

1. The introduction of cement which was used in Thames tunnel, the first underwater tunnel in the 19th century (fig.1).

 

 Fig.1. The Thames Tunnel (opened 1843), England.

 

1. The first large bridge made of cast iron (fig.2).

 

 Fig.2. The Iron Bridge (1781), England.

 

1. The Brooklyn Bridge.

The Brooklyn Bridge (1870-1883) by John A. Roebling (fig.3) is a highly recognizable landmark, cultural icon and a symbol of late 19th-century innovation and progress. It was the first suspension bridge to use steel for its cable wire. The bridge is built from limestone, granite, and natural cement. The architecture style of the bridge is Gothic, with pointed arches above the passageways through the stone towers.

 

 Fig.3. Brooklyn Bridge, New York City.

 

1. The Crystal Palace

The Crystal Palace (1851-54), by Joseph Paxton (fig.4), was an enormous construction of iron and glass. It was originally built in Hyde Park, London, England, to house the Great Exhibition of 1851. It was an exhibition space to display examples of the latest technology developed in the Industrial Revolution. The Great Exhibition building was 564 m. long, 34 m. tall, and interior height of 124 m. Unfortunately, the Crystale Palce was completely destroyed in a fire in 30 November 1936. Although, it was considered as one of the great wonders of the modern world, it had surprisingly little effect on architects and architecture.

 

 Fig.4. The Crystal Palace (1851-54), by Joseph Paxton.

 

1. Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower (1889), Paris by Gustave Eiffel (fig.5), is perhaps the most famous and expressive example of the Industrial Revolution. The Eiffel Tower, 300-meter high, was originally built as the central attraction for the 1889 World Fair, in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. It is constructed of metal lattice-work, formed with very pure structural iron, which makes the tower boh extremely light and able to withstand tremendous wind forces. It was not appreciated by the French and seen as ugly thing until its completion.

 

 Fig.5. Eiffel Tower (1889), Paris by Gustave Eiffel.

 

1. Arts and Architectural Movements (19th – 20th centuries)

In the second half of the 19th century, with the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, new art, architectural styles, and movements increasingly appeared and ended rapidly. These movements, in fact, represent a reflection of the unprecedented growing rate of changes in the world.

 

1. Art Nouveau Movement (1880s)

Art Nouveau was a decorative art movement that emerged in 1880s in London. Its main characteristics are:

1. Flowing, curvilinear Rococo style designs often incorporating floral and other plant-inspired motifs and shell textures.
2. The use of exposed and free-flowing wrought iron and large, irregularly shaped pieces of glass (fig.6).  

 

 Fig.6. Porte Dauphine station, 1899, Paris.

 

1. Art and Crafts Movement (1880 and 1910)

The Arts and Crafts Movement began primarily as a search for authentic and meaningful styles for the 19th century and as a reaction to the soulless machine-made production of the Industrial Revolution. Pioneers of this movement were William Morris and Philip Webb (fig.7). Its main objectives were:

1. Asymmetrical and attractive building composition.
2. Expressing surface textures of materials, such as stone, and brick.
3. The involvement of the designer and craftsman in every step of their creative work.

 

 Fig.7. Red House, London (1859), by Philip Webb.

 

1. Expressionism (1910-1924)

Expressionist architecture was an architectural movement that developed in Northern Europe during the first decades of the 20th century. Artists such as the Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh, used violent colours and exaggerated lines to obtain intense emotional expression. In Architecture, expressionism emphasizes subjective and personal feelings and emotions. Erich Mendelsohn's Einstein Tower (fig.8) in Potsdam featured flexibility of the use of materials such as brick and stucco in an attempt to make the building look as if it is made out of one stone. 

 

Characteristics of Expressionist Architecture:

1. Conception of architecture as a work of art.
2. Distortion of form for an emotional effect.
3. Natural themes such as caves, mountains, and rock formations.
4.  Appreciation of the creative potential of artisan craftsmanship.

 

 Fi.8. Einstein Tower, Germany, 1920s by Eric Mendelsohn.

 

1. Cubism (1907-1914)

Cubism is a highly influential visual arts style that was created principally by the painters Pablo Picasso (fig.9) and Georges Braque in Paris between 1907 and 1914. They were inspired and motivated by the simplicity of the primitive art of African sculpture and Native Americans. In architecture, Cubist is best exemplified by the work of Le Corbusier (fig.26) and Frank Lloyd Wright (fig.50). The main characteristics of cubism are:

1. The analysis of natural forms.
2. Focusing on forms like the cylinder, sphere and the cone to represent the natural world.
3. Color was almost non-existent except for the use of a monochromatic scheme that often included grey, blue and ochre.  

 

 Fig.9. Pablo Picasso's 'Ma Jolie'.

 

 Futurism (1909)

Futurist architecture (Futurism) was an early-20th century movement that was centered in Italy. The most influential figure of Futurist architecture was Antonio Sant'Elia, who translated the Futurist vision into bold urban form (fig.10). The main characteristics of Futurist architecture:

1. Anti-historicism and traditional architecture.
2. Long vertical lines suggesting motion and dynamism.
3. Technology and the expression of power of the machine were among the themes of the Futurists.

 

Fig.10. Train Station Perspective from La Citta Nuova by Sant'Elia, 1914.

 

1. Beaux Arts architecture (1910)

Beaux Arts architecture denotes the classical architectural style (fig.11) that was taught at the École des Beaux Arts in Paris and began in 1910. The main characteristics of this movement include:

1. The employment of French and Italian Baroque and Rococo architectural vocabulary.
2. The integration between sculpture and architecture.
3. Symmetry, and hierarchy of spaces, from "noble spaces", grand entrances and staircases to utilitarian ones.
4. Keep in touch with the modern age, steel-frame construction and modern engineering techniques and materials were often embraced (fig.12).

 

  Fig.11. Palais Garnier, Paris, by Émile Zola.    

 

 Fig.12. Pont Alexandre III, Paris.

 

1. De Stijl (1917-1931)

De Stijl (style) was a Dutch nonfigurative art movement, which refers to a body of work created by a group of Dutch artists, from 1917 to 1931. The leaders of the movement were the artists Theo van Doesburg and Piet Mondrian. An expressive example is the Rietveld Schröder House, 1923-24 (fig.15). It is the only building that was completely created according to De Stijl principles. The main characteristics include:

1. The use of the primary colors, (yellow, blue, and red), along with black and white.
2. Ultimate simplicity and abstraction by using, only straight (horizontal and vertical) lines and rectangular forms (fig.14).
3. Avoiding symmetry and achieving the aesthetic balance by the use of opposition (fig.15).

 

Fig.13. The Rietveld Schröder House, 1923-24.

 

 

 Fig.14. Piet Mondrian, (1921), Paris.    

 

              Fig.15. Theo van Doesburg, Counter-Composition (1924).

 

 Art Deco (1910-1939)

Art Deco was a popular design movement from 1910 until 1939, affecting the visual arts (fashion, painting, graphic arts, and film), the decorative arts and architecture. Its main characteristics can be traced in the Chrysler Building in New York, built 1928–1930 (fig.16).  

1. A combination of art movements (Cubism and Futurism).
2. Features popular themes such as zigzagged and geometric shapes.
3. The use of modern materials such as aluminum and stainless steel.
4. The bold use of stepped forms, sweeping curves (unlike the twisting, natural curves of the Art Nouveau).

 

Impressum

Verlag: BookRix GmbH & Co. KG

Cover: "guggenheim | bilbao." by alyssaBLACK. is marked with CC BY-SA 2.0.
Tag der Veröffentlichung: 07.06.2022
ISBN: 978-3-7554-1539-8

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