Regarding Modernism in Architecture

Modernist architecture uses a descriptive vocabulary to describe the shape and materials of the buildings and other structures. Additionally, modernist architecture has historical precedence, including “canonical” and recognizable structures, is technologically advanced, and takes environmental context into account. Shelter, monuments, and ritual sites are all designed by architects.

Architectural precedent is a term used to describe how ideas in architecture can arise from precedent. The word “precedent” is derived from “precede,” which denotes that which came before. Precedent refers to a prior instance that is used as guidance in more recent instances. There is precedent for architecture as well. For example, the Pyramids of Giza area a precedent for I M Pei’s pyramid at the Louvre.

Architectural modernism is moving from ‘ornament’ to ‘modern’ while maintaining the purpose. This is achieved through design where modernism ‘designing’ differently but still fitting the purpose. Examples of contemporary buildings include Rafael Vinoly’s Walkie-Talkie on Fenchurch Street, Renzo Piano’s The Shard in Southwark, Richard Rogers’s Chinese Grater in Leadenhall and FosterAssociates’ The Gherkin in St. Mary Axe.

Some of the masters of contemporary architecture in London include, Norman Foster, Rafael Vinoly, Richard Rogers and Renzo Piano.

Contemporary means designed from ‘ornament’ to ‘modern’ and fit for its intended purpose but ‘designed’ differently. The pioneers of modernism include, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Walter Gropius and Frank Lloyd Wright. Some of the notable modern buildings include, Fransworth House (1951) designed by Mies van der Rohe, Gropius House (1938) in Lincoln Massachusetts and Walter Gropius 1958 – 1963 Pan Am Building (now Metlife Building) in New York.

Figure 1: 1928: Villa Savoye, Poissy-sur-Seine, France designed by Le Corbusier

Figure 2: Bauhaus, Art school, Dessau Designed by Walter Gropius, built 1925–1926