Architecture that Works

Just in its 3rd year, the Chicago-based Mock Firms Architectural Competition is already highly regarded on the landscape of student-based design competitions. The Mock Firms model aims to help facilitate the formation and function of simulated architectural design firms by collegiate and secondary school students. The purpose is to challenge them to conceive, coordinate, construct and even commercialize a tall building project or residential project which will be interactively judged by top industry professionals against a field of their peers. 

found @ http://www.chicagoarchitecturetoday.com/contests.htm

[FINAL PRESENTATION BOARDS]

[HIGH-RISE : CLIENTS]

MARK [2 BEDROOMS] Open the door to monochromatic colors grabbing the walls subdued by masculine fixtures, rich hardwoods, stainless steel and glass; all components if not the very essence of Mark’s new home. These two floors of a bachelor’s paradise would have any man jealous. A ground shaking home theater system with crisp highs and vibrating lows will have any cinematic favorite alive in the room with them. Baseball fans will be especially full of envy with views of Greensboro’s very own baseball team the Grasshoppers, from both floors Mark and friends will never miss a game. Keeping both amateur and professional chefs creativity flowing a kitchen worthy of restaurant was a must. The gastronomic capabilities being paramount to Mark stainless steel premium appliances canvas the walls and a gas range to boot will keep him cooking. Since Mark is not coming alone, warmth was especially kept in mind for his arachnid friend and pet tarantula. Multitasking and constantly being on the go fitness is hard to maintain, yet with room especially left for Mark’s treadmill he will undoubtedly always be able to find time to get a good run in. Being a self made man Mark’s constantly thinking of the future and who would not in these economic times. Keeping true to simplicity, an unwavering virtue of this design; open spaces and the quality in the use of space leaves this home timeless and marketable for years to come.

AGNES AND PETER [3 BEDROOMS] A paradise in the clouds will be no strange home to Peter and Agnes. Soft toned colors mixed with elegant if not royal textures to bring the sky with them in their new home. Working many years in the hectic airline industry relaxation and a sanctuary of peace and quiet is the deciding factor on this living space.  With ample room for Peter to tinker on models he will find a well lit studio. The new work space is a place where time can pass right by and where he can watch his models take flight. Agnes is not forgotten with an able space of her own where her images on canvas come to life. Her own nook in the studio will be where any artist’s creativity could soar.  The reverence of space speaks loudly of this pious couple. With items brought from all around the world attained on their adventures memories of the past will keep a constant presence in their future. Though this may be a smaller in space for Peter and Agnes its volume in character will most definitely open a world of inspiration. A classical piano magically playing their favorite sonata will bring harmony to the room, and with a home entertainment system to bring the beauty and grace of the masterpiece to their ears no matter where they are in their new home, will make it as if the pianist was there with them. 

[READING COMPREHENSION 6]

[1] A common theme of the early twentieth century found in Roth, Harwood, and Massey set the tone for an understanding of styles in architecture and design influenced by fine art. Selecting either Arts + Crafts or Art Nouveau, TRACE the influences of the selected style in more than two nations. In your answer, you should include evidence from the readings and at least two annotated images as support for your analysis of influences. [15 POINTS POSSIBLE]

Architects of the Art Nouveau era were as interested in the external appearance of a building as they were in the interior. With every detail and every minute characteristic of space being catered to the use of free flowing lines and curves was most predominant.  With the advent of new metallurgical smelting methods gave the architect the ability to climb new heights with metal to their arsenal of imagination setting the stage to this great artistic movement.

               All over the world Art Nouveau was changing the way people saw reality. Brussels, an interesting home to the tassel house, a prime example of architecture of this era paves the way for many to come. This work of art was finished utilizing iron columns a revolutionary concept in Belgium at the time.  The use of these columns teamed with its glazed roof allowed light to flood into the flowing areas of space. A continuous movement was Victor Horta’s unifying attribute that allowed the connectivity from floor up.
               After the Tassel house’s buzz in Europe France was almost instantly taken aback by the Art Nouveau. Hector Guimard designed the Castel Beranger apartments containing the same fluid free flowing life that Art Nouveau inspires. Throughout the building the same utilization of iron columns is present as well as its symmetrical attributes.

The Havana Tobacco Company cigar shop given birth by the imagination and architectural prowess of Van de Velde of Germany is the next stop on this wave of Art Nouveau. Though differing from the previous styles of Belgium and France the face of Germany’s Art Nouveau takes a symmetrical design as its driving force.  Holding on to the curvy principle that helps define this movement it did it with a more dramatic manner, change the style to be more symmetrical verses the asymmetrical designs prior.

[2] Originating at the Bauhaus and in the work of LeCorbusier, the so-called Modern movement deeply influenced design and architecture of the twentieth century. The great debate raised by this new approach to design involved the presence of the machine in the design process and final products.

SPECULATE about the implications of “machines for living” and the famous dictum “less is more” on design today. Use at least one ARTIFACT, SPACE, or BUILDING in your answer, providing a salient image (cited) and annotation to help bolster your argument. [10 POINTS POSSIBLE]

During the industrial revolution, the concept of factories and assembly lines, as well as machinery entered the workforce head on. The idea that products could be manufactured efficiently, faster and in greater quantities spawned a new breed of architecture of minimalistic design specifically created for a purpose around what was to be made inside. Peter Behrens’ AEG factory (p 522, Roth) was one of the earliest forms of the modernist movement in Germany, with the rise of industrialization and the demand for more boats brought this factory to life. Creating huge machinery (turbines for ships) required even larger machinery to be operated. Thus removing the practicality of the prior decorative principles and paving the way of less is more. Merely looking in a kitchen a den an office, though on a micro scale are noticeably infected by those design principles, making the space work for the machine. 

[READING COMPREHENSION 5]

[1] Using the internet, LOCATE and ANALYZE an image for an ARTIFACT, a SPACE, a BUILDING, and a PLACE, drawing the idea of eastern influences as understood by nineteenth-century minds (China, Japan, India, Middle Eastern) on western design and architecture.  Each answer must include an appropriately annotated and cited image in addition to a well-crafted essay to defend your choice of each image and the ways (more than one) that the material item responds to design influences from the east.  [20 POINTS POSSIBLE]**

ARTIFACT:

CHINOISERIE IN DRESS
Western chinoiserie is often a mix of exotic elements. It displays the technique of chine which is a method of printing patterns onto cloth. It is the same technique the Japanese. The pattern in the eastern dress such as the palm trees indicate the foreign and pagoda-inspired follies that is also carried into many other western patterns such as textiles, carpets and furniture, ornaments, etc.

SPACE:

THE PEACOCK ROOM

From the year 1876 to 1877, Whistler undertook the decoration of the dining room in Frederick Leyland's house which is located in Prince's Gate, London.  Later, this room came to be known as the Peacock Room. The room was essentially designed and planned around his painting, La Princesse du Pays de la Porcelaine, which was inspired by Japanese art. The color scheme contrasted the greens and blues used on the leather paneling with the dark colors such as, browns and blacks found on the wooden shelves, originally installed for Leyland's collection of blue and white china. He paid attention to every inch in the room, everywhere you look has its own unique detail. 

BUILDING: THE ROYAL PAVILION The Royal Pavilion is also known as the Brighton Pavilion, it is located in Brighton, England. The Pavilion was built in the indo-Saracenic style, style that drew elements from native Indo-Islamic and Indian architecture, in the 19th century. This place is known for its outstanding chinoiserie interiors. This building almost feels out of place in England, it looks like it would belong in India.

PLACE:

THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS
The Royal Botanic Gardens, located in London, has 300 acres of amazing public gardens that house over 30,000 species of plants. The most visited parts of the garden are the two 19th-century greenhouses which are mostly filled with tropical plants which some of them have been there since the place was built. Japanese gardens have a strong influence on the Kew Gardens landscape and even the structures that are built around the garden.

[COUNTERPOINT PROJECTS]

[POINT : ALTERNATIVE]

After the fall of the Roman Empire, architecture of the middle ages eventually strayed from classical design principles. Emphasis on lightness and height, gave way to the birth of Gothic architecture, ultimately becoming the new style for the era. Even though the building had its vulnerability because of its support being exposed its immense structure consisted of huge stain glass windows. Everything about gothic architecture was in respect of Christianity. Being commissioned by the church most décor was dictated to religious purposes often depicting scenes from the bible, all intended to cast a sense of humility before the glimpse of the heavenly kingdom. The pinnacle achievement most associate with gothic style perhaps because of Disney or the iconic sense from the film the hunchback of Notre Dame is the Cathedral in Amiens, France. The 1400’s were a busy time for the Italians. Italy became the rebirth of antiquity.  The Renaissance awoke the classics. Greek and Roman influence shifted the gothic mentality from religious centrality, to the wonder and curiosity of man’s place in the cosmos. Villa Capra one of the most duplicated buildings in the world by Andrea Palladio embraced the urban culture and reached the artistic heights they set out for. Moving forward to the Baroque period and age of drama and theatricality came; a complex style of architecture that took on the principles of stimulating the senses. With the impending reformation of the church much was intended to keep congregations put.  The often outrageous style of Louis XIV’s palace at Versailles was designed to antimidated and displays the power and authority of the king.  The pursuit to claim our own individuality as an architect drives us to designs that breach the conventions of the here and now, always pushing us forward to tomorrow. The alternative will always be that elusive forbidden fruit that only some dare to attain. Without the path there is no goal the journey defines the architect not the rules.