Overview of the International Style in Architecture Sam, March 5, 2024April 28, 2024 The growth of technology, industry, and social constructs was symbolized by the international style in architecture, which had a lasting impact on how we view the use of space at all scales.Currently, the international style, particularly the dazzling steel, glass, and concrete forms of its most well-known buildings is typically included when discussing the “architecture of the modern movement.”Before we get into the history, characteristics, examples and prominent figures of the international style in architecture, let us first understand what the style entails.Table of Contents ToggleWhat is the International Style in Architecture?History of the International Style in Architecture International Style Architecture CharacteristicsExamples of International Style in Architecture 1. The Bauhaus School 2. Villa Savoye3. Barcelona Pavilion 4. Paimio Sanatorium5. PSFS Building6. The Haus am Horn Building Influential Architects of the International Style in Architecture 1. Le Corbusier2. Walter Gropius3. Ludwig Mies van der Rohe4. Jacobus Johannes P. Oud5. Richard NeutraFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on International Style in ArchitectureWhich Three Principles Define the International Style in Architecture?How Did the International Style in Architecture Evolve?Is it Possible for Interior Design Projects to Integrate Aspects of International Style in Architecture?What is the Alternative Name for the International Style in Architecture?Which Two People Contributed Most to the International Style in Architecture?Recommended PostsConclusion What is the International Style in Architecture?The International Style was a major architectural trend of the 1920s and 1930s. The term usually refers to the buildings and architects of the formative decades of modernism, before modernist doctrines were fully formulated and before the Second World War had compromised the movement.The International Style is not just a style, it is a fundamental attitude towards the problems of design, a set of tendencies that can be expressed in many different ways.According to Henry-Russell Hitchcock and Philip Johnson, the International Style was functionalism. A building should be a machine for living, and its design should arise organically from the various factors that determine its form and use. The form would most naturally follow from the available materials and methods of construction, from the ground plan, and from the function.This should be the end of all aesthetics beyond the functional reality, and the International Style saw decoration as a superfluous hindrance to the proper function which could only be applied after the fact. This latter point made for an often austere and inhumane architecture which was a great flaw in the wider application of the style.Now that we know what the international style is, let us discuss the origin of the style.History of the International Style in Architecture The early 1900s saw the emergence of the international style, commonly known as modernist architecture, as a result of interest in architectural innovations and warehouse typologies. This phrase was first used in the 1932 essay “The International Style: Architecture Since 1992” by Philip Johnson and Henry Russell Hitchcock. The article served as a book companion for a display at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.An American coined the phrase “International style” to describe a particular European architectural style, and it was subsequently used to describe a broad variety of modern buildings. One of the best American architectural styles, it developed over time.Modernism was initially referred to as the Avant-garde, a word that is still used to characterize movements that claim to be trying to subvert certain parts of traditions. Large, light-filled rooms accommodating a range of activities were necessary in these areas, and their use necessitated only minimum interior and exterior decoration.Large turbine factories in Germany were created by renowned architect Peter Behrens, one of the pioneers of this architecture. Inspired by these industrial structures and simple geometric shapes, Le Corbusier, one of Behren’s pupils and protégés, was motivated. In addition to his geometric artwork, Corbusier gained notoriety for his Domino Houses, which showed how structural columns might be removed to create spacious, open floor layouts. The Piloti, Green Roof, Free Façade, Free Plan, and Horizontal Window were the “Five Points of Architecture” philosophy that he would later expand upon.When designing Villa Savoye, Corbusier expressed interest in the advancement of manufacturing and vehicles, claiming that “the house is a machine for living in.” Corbusier and other architects of this era wanted to contribute to the urgently needed restoration of Europe because they recognized the potential and efficiency that industrial materials offered.The creation of the Weissenhofseidlung, an exhibition in Stuttgart, Germany, marked the apex of the international style in Europe. Ludwig Mies van der Rohe organized the exhibition, which included 21 distinct designs for working-class apartment structures by 17 well-known architects. The event greatly promoted the international style and greatly encouraged its transfer to the United States, despite the fact that most of the projects were much over budget and beyond the means of the people they were intended to serve.The international style continues to influence and manifest itself in modern times, particularly with the resurgence of skyscraper development in the world’s most populous cities. Today’s designs are still trying to find a “one-size-fits-all” solution to the most important issues facing the world, but they are also moving back toward a more formal and industrialized look that is frequently associated with modern architecture.Three issues that faced architects in the late 19th century gave rise to the international style in architecture: An intention to abandon the adornment and embellishment of previous eras, deemed outdated or outmoded, such as Gothic, Renaissance, and Romanesque. Furthermore, It highlighted a move in the direction of functionality.The economically motivated construction of a vast number of office buildings as well as other business, residential, and public facilities to support a civilization that was quickly industrializing. Keeping up with the fast pace of industrialization requires the cost-effective creation of numerous buildings, including factories, warehouses, and civic and residential projects.The creation of new building technologies with a focus on glass, reinforced concrete, and metal.The search for an honest, affordable, and practical architecture that would respect aesthetic taste while utilizing the new materials and meeting society’s evolving building requirements was compelled by these three phenomena.International Style Architecture CharacteristicsThe international style is a modernist emblem and is occasionally referred to as “architecture of the machine age.”It was among the first architectural styles to be widely embraced on all inhabited continents. It goes well with the majority of current exterior 3D rendering trends for commercial architectural designs.Because it blurs the lines between internal and external areas, this style of architecture is frequently referred to as “minimalist.”The following are some characteristics of international style:The rectilinear formsOpen interior spacesFaçades that are asymmetricFlat roofsWindow ribbonsGlass curtain walls for privacyLight, taut planar surfaces devoid of applied ornamentation and embellishment and;The cantilever construction’s apparently weightless nature are the most defining features of International Style structures.The typical building materials used in the international style are:SteelGlass, andReinforced concrete, which is typically less noticeable.Examples of International Style in Architecture The impact of international style can be seen in many structures constructed between 1930 and 1950, especially educational institutions. One such example is the use of open floor plans in residential architecture. Not in the US, but it was well-known for its European home style.Although wealthy individuals hired architects to design homes in foreign styles, the US working class was not fond of the design. But it turned into one of the themes influencing residential architecture going forward.The following are some examples of buildings constructed in the international architectural style:1. The Bauhaus School Location: Dessau, GermanyArchitect: Walter GropiusThe Bauhaus SchoolThe Bauhaus Building in Dessau, Germany, which was completed in late 1926, is regarded as a foundational piece of European modernism and an early illustration of the international style.The architect, Walter Gropius, who was the director of the Bauhaus school at the time, set out to construct a practical structure that would embody the school’s aesthetic and goal. The structure, constructed of glass and reinforced concrete, which were innovative materials at the time, is noteworthy in addition for the work that was done there.Masters there contributed significantly to the fields of art, design, and architecture in the early 20th century. The public is welcome to tour the structure, which currently serves as the headquarters of the Bauhaus Dessau Foundation.2. Villa SavoyeLocation: Poissy-sur-Seine, FranceArchitect: Le CorbusierThe Villa SavoyeThe Villa Savoye in Poissy, France, on the outskirts of Paris, was initially constructed as a country getaway for the Savoye family. Today, it is a well-known example of the international style. Le Corbusier and his cousin Pierre Jeanneret, two legends of modernist architecture, created the mansion.The building, which was constructed between 1928 and 1931 using reinforced concrete and glass, exemplifies Le Corbusier’s “five points” architectural style, which are: raising the structure above the ground to create a garden below; having a useful roof with a terrace for nature; having a free floor plan without load-bearing walls; having large horizontal windows for light and air; and having ornamentation-free facades free from supporting considerations.3. Barcelona Pavilion Location: Barcelona, SpainArchitects: Lilly Reich & Ludwig Mies van der RoheBarcelona PavilionThe barcelona pavilion, created by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich for the 1929 international exposition in Barcelona, Spain, is a remarkable example of modernist architecture and is frequently discussed in design history. The building, which was used for the formal inauguration of the German sector of the exhibition, is renowned for its extravagant use of travertine, marble, and red onyx despite its modest design.The building blurred the lines between internal and outdoor space, appearing to float above the water basins at its base yet maintaining a solid sense of grounding because to its opulent and heavy materials. The original building was demolished in the early 1930s since it was meant to be temporary because it was a component of the exposition; however, a group of Catalan architects rebuilt it in the 1980s, and it still exists today.4. Paimio SanatoriumLocation: Paimio, Finland.Architect: Alvar AaltoPaimio SanatoriumThe Paimio Sanatorium, created by finnish architect Alvar Aalto, debuted in 1933 following his victory in an architectural competition in 1929. For its architectural approach to recovery, the old tuberculosis hospital in Paimio, Southwest Finland, won praise from critics both domestically and internationally.Aalto enjoyed referring to the structure as a “medical instrument,” one that was carefully planned to meet the demands of the patients. The communal-style structure was a human response to disease, with features like “silent washbasins” to prevent disturbing the occupants, huge balconies that could hold beds, and a top terrace for patients to socialize and enjoy sun and fresh air. Since 2014, the building—which is owned by Turku University Hospital—has served as a for-profit facility for children’s rehabilitation.5. PSFS BuildingLocation: Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaArchitects: George Howe and William LescazeThe PSFS BuildingLocated in Center City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the PSFS Building (now the Loews Philadelphia Hotel) is the first international style skyscraper built in the United States. William Lescaze and George Howe, the architects, built the building in 1932 for the Philadelphia Saving Fund Society, rejecting the excessive ornamentation and massive domes of typical bank design.Lescaze’s exposure to European modernism influenced the design of this progressive skyscraper, which included the newest innovations in technology at the time, like air conditioning and radio receptionists. The PSFS Building, regarded as the country’s first modern skyscraper, with an executive boardroom and additional amenities for the board of directors on top of a base with a marble façade and light-filled rentable space. Now a symbol of Philadelphia, the tower is topped with a unique sign bearing the letters of the Philadelphia Saving Fund Society.6. The Haus am Horn Building Location: Weimar, GermanyArchitect: George MucheThe Haus am Horn BuildingThe first structure to be constructed using the Bauhaus design principles was the Haus am Horn residential dwelling in Weimar, Germany, which Georg Muche created for the Bauhaus Werkschau (literally, “work show”) exhibition in 1923. Drawing from the Bauhaus tenet of learning by doing, Haus am Horn was the product of many students’ contributions to the construction project.Among them were László Moholy-Nagy, who designed the lights, Marcel Breuer, who created the furniture, and Benita Koch-Otte and Erich Brendel, who designed the kitchen that would later become the model for the incredibly influential Frankfurt Kitchen. With World War I’s energy shortage in mind, the house was designed to be as energy-efficient as possible. Its exterior is composed of reinforced concrete, and its insulation is a peat-based substance known as “Torfoleum.” Since the house is now a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Bauhaus and its Sites in Weimar, Dessau, and Bernau, it is still open for tours today.Influential Architects of the International Style in Architecture A number of very talented and creative architects from the 1920s were among the first practitioners of the international style, and they went on to have a significant impact on their industry. Among these great figures were:1. Le CorbusierOne of the finest architects of the 20th century, Le Corbusier (Charles Edouard Jeanneret), reduced architecture to its most essential practical elements: the window, ramp, stair, and column. He was particularly interested about replacing load-bearing walls in a building’s façade in order to optimize the amount of light that entered the structure.His somewhat utopian ideas, which are frequently distinguished by the extensive use of reinforced pre-cast concrete, helped to establish the foundation for brutalist architecture, an extremely practical although poorly-time-tested form of campus and urban design. The Villa Savoye (1929–30) in Poissy-sur-Seine, France; the Semi-Detached House (1927) in Weissenhofsiedlung, Stuttgart; and Unite d’Habitation (1958) at Interbau Fair, Berlin, are a few of his most well-known creations in international style in architecture.2. Walter GropiusThe renowned Bauhaus design school, located in Berlin, Dessau, and Weimar, was founded by Walter Gropius. After immigrating to the United States in 1937, he established The Architects’ Collaborative (TAC) and rose to the position of Head of Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design.His preference for simple interior spaces can be seen in several of his notable international style buildings, including the Fagus Factory (1911–25) in Alfeld on the Leine; the model factory for the Deutscher Werkbund Exhibition in Cologne in 1914; the Bauhaus School building (1925) at Dessau; the Graduate Center (1950) at Harvard University; and the Pan Am Building (1963) in New York.3. Ludwig Mies van der RoheThe third and last leader of the Bauhaus movement, Mies van der Rohe, immigrated to Chicago in 1938 and took a position as director of architecture at the Armour Institute, which is now the Illinois Institute of Technology, or IIT. He also launched a successful architectural practice of his own.Because of his boundless enthusiasm and inventiveness, he was a widely respected mentor to a new generation of students and working designers at major companies like C.F. Murphy & Associates, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, and others by the late 1940s.The glass and steel skyscrapers of the IBM Building (1971) (now 330 North Wabash) in New York, the opulent Seagram Building (1958) in New York, and the Lake Shore Drive Apartments (1948–51) in Chicago are the most recognizable examples of the Second Chicago School of architecture (c. 1940–75) that he and his followers created.4. Jacobus Johannes P. OudJacobus Johannes Pieter Oud, who co-founded the De Stijl movement in 1883, contributed to the movement’s adoption of more rounded and flowing geometric forms.He created many apartment complexes in Rotterdam as the housing architect, adopting an austere yet practical style. His graceful and geometrical international style was later displayed at the 1960s Bio-Children’s Convalescent Home, which was built close to Arnhem.5. Richard NeutraNo other architect of the 20th century more perfectly embodied the term “International Style” than Richard Neutra (1892–1970), who became well-known throughout the world as a supporter of contemporary design. He had a significant impact on American architecture, especially in California.He arrived in America in 1922 and worked for a short time at Taliesin for Frank Lloyd Wright (1867–1959) as well as Holabird and Roche in Chicago. His first book, Wie Baut Amerikal, was inspired by this experience and was released in Stuttgart in 1927. In retrospect, one of his most significant designs from his career was the Lovell (Health) House (1929) in Los Angeles, which included balconies suspended from the roof frame by steel cables.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on International Style in ArchitectureWhich Three Principles Define the International Style in Architecture? The international style in architecture is based on three guiding principles: innovation, functionality, and aesthetic value.How Did the International Style in Architecture Evolve? The constraints of the style started to bother some critics and architects by the time the 1970s rolled around. Glass and metal “boxes,” which had previously been avant-garde and visually beautiful, started to look stale and conventional. Architects set out on a new adventure of ornamentation and creative design once more. Their architectural designs became increasingly inventive, incorporating contemporary materials and ornamentation. This architectural movement eventually became recognized as postmodernist architecture.Is it Possible for Interior Design Projects to Integrate Aspects of International Style in Architecture? Certainly. Modern architects select certain common elements of the international architectural style for interior design projects. To add simplicity and put more focus on practical patterns, they make use of flat roofs, neutral-colored facades, and expansive glass areas. In interior design and architecture, this is how foreign style can be included.What is the Alternative Name for the International Style in Architecture? The phrases Italian rationalism or even the international style that emerged throughout Europe are commonly referred to as rationalist architecture and modern movement, although the former is more commonly used in the English-speaking world.Which Two People Contributed Most to the International Style in Architecture? Le Corbusier and Mies van der Rohe collaborated to create the international style in architecture, which became the dominant movement in interior and architectural design in the middle of the 20th century. Recommended PostsBrutalist Architecture: A Guide to Raw AestheticsOverview of Expressionist ArchitectureExploring De Stijl Movement in ArchitectureConclusion We hope this post has helped you learn more about this amazing architectural style.Total0Shares Share 0 Tweet 0 Pin it 0 Share 0 Articles
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