Kennedy, Blog Post #11, IAR 221

For this weeks blog post I'm choosing the Farnsworth House, Designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe to explore the rise of modernism. 

http://www.dailyicon.net/magazine/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/3dfarnsworth08dailyicon.jpg

 

 

At its roots the Modern movement is based on a new machine aesthetic.  We see the ideas of no adornment, standardized construction parts, new materials and new techniques.  More functionality combined with lightness and space are key ideas.  The Farnsworth house exemplifies all these ideas. 

The house has been reduced to a ceiling and a floor.  The roof, now flat, abandons the previous peaked roofs that are more standard.  There is no Grounding element other than shadow.  The typical base that a house sits on is now 10 poles.  The walls have been replaced with glass, completely the opposite of traditional construction.  New technology and techniques are a must for this type of structure to be built.  We see a connection to the landscape, not by the house, but for the occupants.  They are now thrust into the landscape around them, the outside is now inside, completely.  The floor plan has evolved into an open plan with public and private spaces overlapping.  We see no adornment and there is a lightness with the structure.  It barely touches the ground and seems to be floating. 

Modernism is important for individuals at the turn of the century for a variety of reasons.  The movement shows a sense of education is present.  A sense of accomplishment.  New materials and techniques show a society that is progressing and is smart and rich enough to build the newest and best.  This is a concept that has been around since the beginning and we see it repeat over and over.