Contemporary Contemporary ArchitectureArchitecture

PhasesPhases

Neo-classicism - Boullee & LedouxNeo-classicism - Boullee & Ledoux Industrial RevolutionIndustrial Revolution Arts & Crafts Movement – Gaudi, Horta, F.L.WrightArts & Crafts Movement – Gaudi, Horta, F.L.Wright Futuristic Movement – Sant’ EliaFuturistic Movement – Sant’ Elia Expressionism – Mendelsohn, TautExpressionism – Mendelsohn, Taut ConstructivismConstructivism BAUHAUS – Gropius & BehrensBAUHAUS – Gropius & Behrens Modernism – CIAM, Le Corbusier, Mies, Wright, Alvar Modernism – CIAM, Le Corbusier, Mies, Wright, Alvar

AltoAlto The Indian context – Colonial & Indo – Saracenic – The Indian context – Colonial & Indo – Saracenic –

Chisholm, P.W.D., Lutyens’ New DelhiChisholm, P.W.D., Lutyens’ New Delhi

etienne-louis boulleeetienne-louis boullee&&claude nicolas ledouxclaude nicolas ledoux

Arts & Crafts Movement – Gaudi, Arts & Crafts Movement – Gaudi, Horta, F.L.WrightHorta, F.L.Wright

Sagrada Família

Casa Milà

Interior of the Horta Museum

Hotel Tassel

Robie House

Futuristic Movement – Sant’ EliaFuturistic Movement – Sant’ Elia

La Citta Nuova, 1914

Expressionism – Mendelsohn, TautExpressionism – Mendelsohn, Taut

Einstein Tower

Glass Pavilion

ConstructivismConstructivism

BAUHAUS – Gropius & BehrensBAUHAUS – Gropius & Behrens

Wassily Chair

Modernism – CIAM, Le Corbusier, Modernism – CIAM, Le Corbusier, Mies, Wright, Alvar AltoMies, Wright, Alvar Alto

PhasesPhases

TEAM XTEAM X BrutalismBrutalism Influential writings of Jane Jacobs, Robert Venturi, Influential writings of Jane Jacobs, Robert Venturi,

Christopher Alexander & Aldo RossiChristopher Alexander & Aldo Rossi Post – Modernism - Frank Gehry, Peter Eisenman, Post – Modernism - Frank Gehry, Peter Eisenman,

Rem Koolhaas, Daniel Libeskind, Zaha Hadid and Rem Koolhaas, Daniel Libeskind, Zaha Hadid and othersothers

Vernacular - Laurie Baker, Tadao Ando, Hassan Vernacular - Laurie Baker, Tadao Ando, Hassan Fathy, Paulo Soleri and Geoffrey BawaFathy, Paulo Soleri and Geoffrey Bawa

The Indian context - Architecture after The Indian context - Architecture after Independence – Charles Correa, B.V.Doshi, Achyut Independence – Charles Correa, B.V.Doshi, Achyut Kanvinde and othersKanvinde and others - -

Leading Leading to a New to a New

ArchitectureArchitecture

Historical OverviewHistorical Overview Origins of Neo-classicismOrigins of Neo-classicism

Enlightenment Architects Enlightenment Architects

– – Boullee & LedouxBoullee & Ledoux

Historical OverviewHistorical Overview

The The Beginning Beginning – – The origin of modernityThe origin of modernity

The EnlightenmentThe Enlightenment – – That moment in the mid-eighteenth That moment in the mid-eighteenth century when a new view of history brought architects to question century when a new view of history brought architects to question the classical canons of Vitruvius the classical canons of Vitruvius && to document the remains of to document the remains of the antique world in order to establish a more objective basis on the antique world in order to establish a more objective basis on which to work.which to work.

The The necessary conditions for modern architecturenecessary conditions for modern architecture appeared some appeared some time between - time between -

architect Claude Perrault’s late 17architect Claude Perrault’s late 17thth century challenge to the century challenge to the universal validity of Vitruvian proportions &universal validity of Vitruvian proportions &

the definitive split between engineering and architecture which is the definitive split between engineering and architecture which is dated to the foundation in Paris of the Ecole des Ponts et dated to the foundation in Paris of the Ecole des Ponts et Chaussees, the first engineering school, in 1747.Chaussees, the first engineering school, in 1747.

Cultural Cultural transformationstransformations

- Neo-Classical - Neo-Classical architecturearchitecture

1750-19001750-1900

OriginsOrigins

Neo-classicism Neo-classicism seems to have emerged out of seems to have emerged out of two different but two different but related developmentsrelated developments which radically transformed the relationship which radically transformed the relationship between man and nature.between man and nature.

1.1. A sudden increase in man’s capacity to exercise control over A sudden increase in man’s capacity to exercise control over nature.nature.

Technological changes led to a new infrastructure and to the Technological changes led to a new infrastructure and to the exploitation of an increased productive capacity.exploitation of an increased productive capacity.

2.2. A fundamental shift in the nature of human consciousness, in A fundamental shift in the nature of human consciousness, in response to major response to major changes taking place in society, which gave birth to changes taking place in society, which gave birth to a new cultural a new cultural formation.formation.

This shift yielded new categories of knowledge and a historicist This shift yielded new categories of knowledge and a historicist mode mode of thought which led to the emergence of humanist disciplines of thought which led to the emergence of humanist disciplines of the of the Enlightenment – sociology, aesthetics, history and Enlightenment – sociology, aesthetics, history and archaeology.archaeology.

Search for a true styleSearch for a true style

The over-elaboration of architectural language in the Rococo The over-elaboration of architectural language in the Rococo interiors and the secularization of Enlightenment thought interiors and the secularization of Enlightenment thought compelled the architects of the 18compelled the architects of the 18thth century, by now aware of the century, by now aware of the emergent and unstable nature of their age, to search for a true emergent and unstable nature of their age, to search for a true style style through a precise appraisal of antiquity.through a precise appraisal of antiquity.

Their motivation was not simply to copy the ancients but to obey Their motivation was not simply to copy the ancients but to obey the principles on which their work had been based.the principles on which their work had been based.

The archaeological research that arose from this impulse soon led The archaeological research that arose from this impulse soon led to a major controversy:to a major controversy:

to which of the four Mediterranean to which of the four Mediterranean cultures – cultures – the Egyptians, the Etruscans, the Greeks and the the Egyptians, the Etruscans, the Greeks and the RomansRomans – should they look for a true style? – should they look for a true style?

Theoretical developmentsTheoretical developments

Claude PerraultClaude Perrault questioned the validity of the Vitruvian proportions. questioned the validity of the Vitruvian proportions. Instead he elaborated his thesis of Instead he elaborated his thesis of positive beautypositive beauty and and arbitrary arbitrary beauty.beauty.

positive beauty – standardization and perfection. positive beauty – standardization and perfection.

arbitrary beauty – such expressive function as may be required by a arbitrary beauty – such expressive function as may be required by a particular circumstance or character. particular circumstance or character.

Abbe de CordemoyAbbe de Cordemoy ’s book – ’s book – Nouveau Traite de toute l’architecture Nouveau Traite de toute l’architecture (1706).(1706).

He replaced the Vitruvian attributes of architecture – He replaced the Vitruvian attributes of architecture – utilitas, firmitas utilitas, firmitas and venustas (utility, solidity and beauty)and venustas (utility, solidity and beauty) by his own trinity of by his own trinity of ordonnance, distribution and bienseance.ordonnance, distribution and bienseance.

While the first two categories concerned the correct proportioning of While the first two categories concerned the correct proportioning of the classical orders and their appropriate disposition, the third the classical orders and their appropriate disposition, the third introduced the notion of fitness which warned against the introduced the notion of fitness which warned against the inappropriate application of Classical elements to utilitarian structures.inappropriate application of Classical elements to utilitarian structures.

Theoretical developmentsTheoretical developments

Jacques-Francois Blondel Jacques-Francois Blondel opened an architecture school in Rue de opened an architecture school in Rue de la Harpe in 1743.la Harpe in 1743.

He became the master of the so-called He became the master of the so-called ‘visionary’‘visionary’ generation of generation of architects – architects – Etienne-Louis Boullee, Jacques Gondoin, Pierre Patte, Etienne-Louis Boullee, Jacques Gondoin, Pierre Patte, Marie-Joseph Peyre and probably the most visionary of all, Claude-Marie-Joseph Peyre and probably the most visionary of all, Claude-Nicolas Ledoux.Nicolas Ledoux.

Blondel’s Blondel’s “Cours d’architecture”(1750)“Cours d’architecture”(1750) establishes his concerns establishes his concerns regarding composition, type and character. He was preoccupied regarding composition, type and character. He was preoccupied with appropriate formal expression and with a differentiated with appropriate formal expression and with a differentiated physiognomy to accord with the varying social character of physiognomy to accord with the varying social character of different building types. The age was already having to confront different building types. The age was already having to confront the articulation of a much more complex society.the articulation of a much more complex society.

ProjectsProjects

Etienne-Louis BoulleeEtienne-Louis Boullee

He devoted his life to the projection of buildings so vast as to He devoted his life to the projection of buildings so vast as to preclude their realization. He evoked the sublime emotions of preclude their realization. He evoked the sublime emotions of terror and tranquilityterror and tranquility through the grandeur of his conceptions. through the grandeur of his conceptions.

Genre terribleGenre terrible – the immensity of the vista and the unadorned – the immensity of the vista and the unadorned geometrical purity of monumental form are combined in such a geometrical purity of monumental form are combined in such a way as to promote way as to promote exhilaration and anxiety.exhilaration and anxiety.

He was obsessed with the capacity of light to evoke the presence He was obsessed with the capacity of light to evoke the presence of the divine.of the divine.

This intention is evident in the sunlit haze that illuminates the This intention is evident in the sunlit haze that illuminates the interior of his interior of his “Metropole”.“Metropole”.

ProjectsProjects

Etienne-Louis BoulleeEtienne-Louis Boullee

Cenotaph for Isaac Newton, c.1785.Cenotaph for Isaac Newton, c.1785.

A similar light is portrayed in the vast masonry sphere of his projected A similar light is portrayed in the vast masonry sphere of his projected cenotaph, where by night a fire was suspended to represent the sun, cenotaph, where by night a fire was suspended to represent the sun, while by day it was extinguished to reveal the illusion of the firmament while by day it was extinguished to reveal the illusion of the firmament produced by the daylight shining through the sphere’s perforated produced by the daylight shining through the sphere’s perforated walls.walls.

He remained obsessed with imagining the monuments of some He remained obsessed with imagining the monuments of some omnipotent state dedicated to the worship of the supreme being.omnipotent state dedicated to the worship of the supreme being.

His influence in post-revolutionary Europe was considerable, primarily His influence in post-revolutionary Europe was considerable, primarily through the activity of his pupil through the activity of his pupil Jean-Nicholas-Louis DurandJean-Nicholas-Louis Durand, who , who reduced his extravagant ideas to a normative and economic building reduced his extravagant ideas to a normative and economic building typology.typology.

ProjectsProjects

Claude-Nicolas LedouxClaude-Nicolas Ledoux

Ideal city of Chaux, 1804.Ideal city of Chaux, 1804.

This is one of the first essays in industrial architecture – it consciously This is one of the first essays in industrial architecture – it consciously integrated productive units with workers’ housing.integrated productive units with workers’ housing.

Each element in this complex was rendered according to its character.Each element in this complex was rendered according to its character.

Thus the salt evaporation sheds on the axis were high-roofed like agricultural Thus the salt evaporation sheds on the axis were high-roofed like agricultural buildings and finished in smooth ashlar, buildings and finished in smooth ashlar,

while the director’s house in the centre was low-roofed and pedimented, while the director’s house in the centre was low-roofed and pedimented, rusticated throughout and embellished with classical porticoes.rusticated throughout and embellished with classical porticoes.

He extended this limited typology to include all the institutions of his ideal city.He extended this limited typology to include all the institutions of his ideal city.

House of supervisors

The Royal Saltworks

Plan view of the facilities

ProjectsProjects

Claude-Nicolas LedouxClaude-Nicolas Ledoux

Barriere de l’Etoile, 1785.Barriere de l’Etoile, 1785.These toll-gates were shining exemplars of the Age of Reason.These toll-gates were shining exemplars of the Age of Reason.They were erected under the ancient regime as control-points for the collection They were erected under the ancient regime as control-points for the collection of taxes.of taxes.They were just as disconnected from the culture of their time as the idealized They were just as disconnected from the culture of their time as the idealized institutions of Chaux.institutions of Chaux.

A whole world separated Ledoux’s arbitrary but purgative reconstitution of A whole world separated Ledoux’s arbitrary but purgative reconstitution of fragmented classical parts in these toll-gates from Durand’s rational fragmented classical parts in these toll-gates from Durand’s rational permutation of received classical elements.permutation of received classical elements.

ProjectsProjects

Karl Friedrich SchinkelKarl Friedrich Schinkel

He acquired his early enthusiasm for Gothic not from Berlin or Paris, but He acquired his early enthusiasm for Gothic not from Berlin or Paris, but from his own first-hand experiences of Italian cathedrals.from his own first-hand experiences of Italian cathedrals.

The combination of political idealism and military prowess seems to have The combination of political idealism and military prowess seems to have demanded a return to the classic. demanded a return to the classic. His masterpieces in Berlin include the Neue Wache(1816), His masterpieces in Berlin include the Neue Wache(1816), Schauspielhaus(1821) and the Altes Museum of 1830.Schauspielhaus(1821) and the Altes Museum of 1830.

While the guardhouse and the theatre show characteristic features of While the guardhouse and the theatre show characteristic features of Schinkel’s mature style, the influence of Durand is clearly evident in the Schinkel’s mature style, the influence of Durand is clearly evident in the museum.museum.

Schauspielhaus

ProjectsProjects

Karl Friedrich SchinkelKarl Friedrich Schinkel

The Altes museum is a prototypical museum plan taken from The Altes museum is a prototypical museum plan taken from Durand’s Precis and split in half.Durand’s Precis and split in half.Schinkel created a spatial articulation of extraordinary delicacy Schinkel created a spatial articulation of extraordinary delicacy and power, as the wide peristyle gives way to a narrow portico and power, as the wide peristyle gives way to a narrow portico containing a symmetrical entry stair and its mezzanine.containing a symmetrical entry stair and its mezzanine.

Henry LabrousteHenry Labrouste

Blondel’s Neo-classicism was continued by Henry Labrouste, who Blondel’s Neo-classicism was continued by Henry Labrouste, who had studied at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts.had studied at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts.He insisted on the primacy of structure and on the derivation of all He insisted on the primacy of structure and on the derivation of all ornament from construction.ornament from construction.

The Altes Museum

Reading room of the Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève

Neo-Classical heritageNeo-Classical heritage

It was divided into two closely related lines of development – It was divided into two closely related lines of development –

The Structural Classicism of Labrouste &The Structural Classicism of Labrouste & The Romantic Classicism of Schinkel.The Romantic Classicism of Schinkel.

The Structural Classicism tended to emphasize structure – the line of The Structural Classicism tended to emphasize structure – the line of Cordemoy, Laugier & Soufflot.Cordemoy, Laugier & Soufflot.

The Romantic Classicism tended to stress the physiognomic The Romantic Classicism tended to stress the physiognomic character of the form itself – the line of Ledoux, Boullee and character of the form itself – the line of Ledoux, Boullee and Gilly.Gilly.