Modernity or modern architecture

Modernity and modern architecture are confusing terms that do not fully capture the philosophy, form, and social concepts that underlie modernism. The phrase can refer to buildings built during the modern era regardless of the ideologies put forth, or it can explicitly allude to a building that is aware of its own modernity in the fight for change. Modern architecture can complement structures built in the 20th and 21st centuries, but modernism in architecture is thought of as more than just the era in which the structures were made. Modernism can be seen as a reaction against the Victorian era’s extravagant aesthetic excesses and eclecticism. This essay will explore the presentation of modernism ideas, philosophy and form in architecture to understand modern architecture.

Concept of modernity

In theoretical discourse, the term modernity plays a critical role and exploration into the meaning of the word remains important in developing the concept upon which architecture can be based. Three basic levels accorded to the word modern can help in the development and establishment of the modernity concept as utilized in the architectural field. These levels emanate from the changes that have occurred in the manner in which the word has been applied in an evolving way in the architectural styles utilized.

The first and most basic meaning of modern is something that is current which opposes the past or that which came earlier. This meaning was applied in the modernity concept in the middle ages. The second meaning of the world is the opposite of old, and thus new. In this meaning the term describes a time which something is being experienced as a period. In this sense, there is an element of possession of certain features that distinguish the period from other periods. This was the meaning that developed during the 17th century and a key characteristic of the style during this period was the immense decorations present in architectural designs.

During the course of the 19th century another level of meaning for the word developed in which the modern terminology gained the notion of being transient. This meaning differed from the previous meanings which clearly defined periods in which modernity could be identified. The element of transience gives modernity a meaning of indeterminate eternity that seeks to include some kind of form and social ideas contained in architectural work. The inclusiveness of the social aspects makes consideration of the needs of the society and expectations based on previous styles.

The concept of modernity thus develops from the three levels of meaning of modern. The concepts of current, new and transient make reference to the peculiar relevance ascribed to what defines the concept of modernity in architecture. Modernity, thus becomes a concept that seeks to give the present structures the specific qualities that make them different from what has been available in the past and seeks to point towards the future (Hoekstra, 2014). The concept, therefore, can be considered to be the aspect that brings the break from the tradition and one that typifies all that is in opposition of inheritance of past architectural forms.

The concept of modernity is thus and will always remain in constant conflict with the tradition, which at time might be considered to be a standard. The concept seeks to elevate the struggle for change in the forms which architectural designs are presented (Docherty, 2016). The concept encompasses there levels of meanings derived from modern and thus cannot be pinned down to a set of attributes as it represents a constant change in the philosophy, ideas and forms of architecture. Although the concept seeks to delineate itself from the time related elements of modernity, the concept gained increased popularity in the 19th centure when it began to be applied in political and economic circles (Hvattum & Hermansen, 2004).

In respect to the application of the terminology in other fields, a clear distinction needs to be made between modernization, modernism and modernity. Modernization is a terminology that makes reference to social movements which mainly involve technological, industrial and urbanization changes. Modernization is thus a process which occurs within the social structures in which people live and not the physical structures defined by architectural forms. Modernism on the other hand makes reference to the theoretical and artistic ideas about the concept of modernity. The term modernism seeks to help individuals gain control over the changes that take place within the social systems which includes changing the people within the systems (Lerner, 2011).

The concept of modernity need not be confused with the two terminologies as it defines the specific features of the modern times and the manner in which they are experienced by the people within the time frame. The concept can thus be associated with the attitude of the society to the continuous process of change and transformation in a field like architecture. The evolution and transformation attributed to modernity remains focused towards the future which needs to be different from the past and from the present. This eliminates the element of time constriction when defining modernity (Hoekstra, 2014).

The modernity concept thus becomes an element that seeks to mediate between the process of social development called modernization and the subjective social responses in the form of movements and discourses representing the modernism. Modernity thus encompasses a wide range of perspectives and is a product of revolutions and changes occurring in different spheres. It therefore becomes an aesthetic concept developed out of the combination of various elements observed in the modern sociality and one which is focused on ensuring a continuous change in the present towards a different future.

The emergence of modern architecture

Modernity in architecture

Modernity is an aspect which presents the transition from the traditional elements towards the future in the changes observed in architectural designs. Modernity has proliferated architecture through the transformation observed in the styles of the past through the introduced changes that define the present appearance. The concept of modernity in architecture has given birth to different architectural styles presenting the transformation from the traditional forms observed. Architectural styles of the 17th century mainly focused on the appearance of the building as beauty was a key feature at the time. Modernity brought about a transformation from the Victorian age styles to others that were more adaptive to the social changes and time.

Modernity could be attributed to the development of the international styles of architecture which emerged during the 20th century that emphasized on efficiency of structures rather than the decoration that they contained (Peter, 2013). Structures following the modernity characteristics lack the beauty present ion many of the 18th and 19th century structures that were very symbolic. The functional capabilities of the structures have become the fundamental focus of the modern architects as they seek to utilize the utilitarian concept in the designs which they present. The main focus on the modernity concept in architecture is on the functional capability of the structures rather than the appearance.

The concept has been mainly influenced by modernization components as can be perceived in the structures that apply the concept. Economic factors like shortage of land, the need to conserve energy and others are some of the key modernization elements which govern the forms of architectural designs presented within the context of modernity (Noobanjong, 2013). Modern day sky scrapers remain similar because of the need to ensure that the energy conservation is achieved. Many of them have been constructed using glass for efficiency in allowing light as well as ensuring that much space can be availed within the building using limited land available.

Modernization aspects in the building structures in the 21st century have resulted in many structures being designed for specific uses rather than focusing on creating unique features. In seeking to point towards the future, structures have been made with the fundamental focus on ensuring that they are adaptive to the changing environmental and social elements of the modern times. Adaptation of the environmental changes has seen the use of recyclable materials and the capability to change the use of structures to accommodate more individuals. Today modern architecture has been accepted in the various contexts, including non-western settings where the architecture has assumed its own right as well as meaning within local contexts. Tran (1999) discussed the modernization of Vietnam’s architecture with reference to various private homes that have been developed and that have assumed the modernism concepts. This shows that modernism in architecture has been globally accepted and assimilated to other local setups.

The Modern Movement in architectural designs conceived in the 1920s mark high modernism, which turned out to be worldwide the dominant architectural ideology. The bases that form should follow function drove the new constructive and technical possibilities and modern painting characterized by the abstract compositional language. The Eames House of 1945-49 is characterized and influenced by the after-effect of war production, a period that Europe was still on its knees in the United States. The building was made of industrially produced components which marked the beginning of a new view of architecture as a compilation of standard different parts borrowed from the assembly discipline. Further a development of consumer society emerged that had not been evidenced before the war.

The German Pavilion at the Brussels Exhibition made in 1957-58 designed by Egon Eiermann in collaboration with Sep Ruf exhibits an architecture at its ideal extreme. A challenge of traditional beliefs in the aesthetics of pure geometrical composition is evidenced by the perfectly detailed rationality of steel construction marked by the neat geometric discipline of square on square. The building was designed to evoke a feeling of generosity and freedom against the green background of the park by cleverly setting off object-like the layering of steel and glass which had the compound effect of exaggerating the buildings lightness and transparency. The Orphanage in Amsterdam built in 1954-59 by Aldo van Eyck’s depicts an assumption that future constructions would be based in mass production given that the building was designed on small concrete domes and a square grid with precast concrete components.

Modernism in architecture incorporates modern technologies, materials, sustainability issues, as well as the building of modern buildings and cities. It is essential that architects and the respective engineers responsible for all works to emulate and understand the benefits that result from modern architecture (Gegic, Kargic & Delic, 2013). Looking at the works of architects like Le Corbusier, it is clear that modernism in architecture embraces solutions to daily problems as was evident in the design of the pilotis that accommodates an automobile, which is a solution to home parking with limited space.

Regulations that have been introduced in the building industry have defined the way in which architecture can be presented. The presence of regulation remained limited in the past and the element of modernity remains the key issue that has cause the immense regulation of architectural designs. There are a wide range of factors which are considered in the implementation of the regulations and they ensure that a new kind of architectural design emerges in the architectural works. The regulations have governed the designed and are focused at ensuring the longevity of the structures in line with the aspect of focusing on the future within the modernity concept.

The child is considered in the building structure by the choice of the small, low basic cell and further assembled in groups to reflect the different families. This development in the consideration of social articulation reflects the entry of anthropology brought in the architectural discourse. A utilitarian and utopian idea evidenced in the 1950s and early1960s dominated the architectural scene in the economic and technical circumstances that governed the submission in to mass production. However, an exception was seen in the Bensberg Town Hall of 1962-71 by Gottfried Bohm’s by his restoration of the remains of the old castle which had almost disappeared. The Leicester University Engineering Building of 1954-64 built by the Smithsons was a complete shock to the architectural scene given that they were dominant in post-war British

Le Corbusier and modernism in architecture

As noted, modernism in architecture considered more than just a period when the buildings were constructed. Modernism can be considered as the reaction against the lavish stylistic excesses and the eclecticism of the Victorian age. In this regard, there are artists, like Le Cobusier, who contributed heavily to such reactions by presenting works that wee evident of such reactions. The influence of Le Corbusier on modern architecture overrides most of his peers. He has resounding influence on contemporary architecture, and more so to modernism in architecture. He was possessed with urban plans featuring the automobile, works that made him a true pioneer of the modern architecture. Le Corbusier’s philosophy is currently basic to every architect’s work, with his work mainly used in very many designs. He is today considered amongst the most influential architects in the 20th century, fighting for the same position with the likes of Frank L. Wright and others.

Le Corbusier’s influence stems from, mainly his ideas as well as his artwork ambitions. His architecture evolved from the international style modernism in the 1920s and the 1930s to buildings that were expressionistic and in concrete. His ideas led to a philosophical approach to architecture referred to as the five points of architecture, which are; Pilotis, free ground plan design, free façade design, a horizontal window cutting the length of the façade and a roof garden.

In his first aspect, Le Corbusier notes that the ground floor of a house, just like a street should belng to the automobile, and it should thus be raised on pilotis to accommodate such. The second aspect states that the floor plan needs to be free from any structural conditions in order to allow for the accommodation of any partitions. Further, Le Corbusier in his five philosophical points notes that to allow lighting, the façade should be cut along its length, opening up for a horizontal window. Lastly, he noted that buildings need to replace the space they took up in the ground by accommodating a garden on top.

One of the most important works of Le Corbusier and that properly encapsulates the modernism in architecture is the Villa Savoye. The house, which is an improved version of a French country house, opened up the modernism aspect with a great zeal. It has already been termed as a national monument in honor of the architect’s works.

The Villa Savoye (Gibson, 2016)

The Villa Savoye was designed originally as a holiday home, and encapsulates the artist’s five architectural points. It also demonstrates Le Corbusier’s belief that a house should be a machine in which human beings reside in. in order to achieve this aspect, the artist expresses spatial planning techniques and spaces that capitalize on efficiency as opposed to aesthetics (Gibson, 2016). Another building that incorporates Le Corbusier’s five points is the Capital Center for Visual Arts, at Harvard University.

Conclusion

Evidently, and as discussed in this treatise, modernism, as global architecture was a result of an acceleration of needs in the 20th century that resulted from social changes as well as industrialization. These changes, led to the pursuit of order and universalism in architecture, leading to the use of newer materials and advancement in technology. This also resulted to a utilization of the old technology through amalgamating it with new as opposed to rejection. In modernism, there was an emphasis in functional buildings, simplicity in design, and rationalism. New expressions came up and aesthetics were redefined. Aesthetics in modern architecture are characterized by clean lines, simple geometry, functional and open spaces, and structures that accommodated all cultures. Modernism in architecture has evidently been showcased using such artists as Le Corbusier. Movements such as Corbusier’s, therefore, are reminiscent of modernism in architecture.

References

Docherty, T. (2016) Postmodernism: A reader. London: Routledge.

Gegic, A., Kargic, L., & Delic, S. (2013). Modernism in Architecture. In: 1st Annual International Student Symposium 2013.

Gibson, E. (2016). Le Corbusier’s Villa Savoye encapsulates the Modernist Style. Retrieved from https://www.dezeen.com/2016/07/31/villa-savoye-le-corbusier-poissy-france- modernist-style-unesco-world-heritage/

Hvattum, M., & Hermansen, C. (2004). Tracing modernity: manifestations of the modern in architecture and the city. London: Routledge.

Hoekstra, R. (2014) ’Modernity Beyond the West: A Review of Kathleen James-Chakraborty’s Architecture Since 1400’, Architectural Histories, 2(1).

Hunter, S., Jacobus, J. M., & Wheeler, D. (2000). Modern art: painting, sculpture, architecture. Harry N. Abrams.

Lerner, J. (2011). The Maya of modernism: Art, architecture, and film. University of New Mexico Press.

Noobanjong, K. (2013) The aesthetics of power: architecture, modernity, and identity from Siam to Thailand. London: White Lotus Press.

Peter, B. (2013) Form follows fun: Modernism and modernity in British pleasure architecture 1925-1940. London: Routledge.

Tran, H. A. (1999). Another Modernism? Form, Content and Meanings of the New Housing Architecture of Hanoi (Vol. 9). Department of Architecture and Development Studies,