The 19th-century architecture was significantly affected by architectural movement and exotic foreign styles which resulted from the new technology of the modern age (Idriss 15). Various architects used different engineering methods and materials to realize the construction of most outstanding buildings in the era. The leading types of 19th-century architectural styles include; Gothic revival (1836-1870), and Richardson Marsha field (1885). The 19th-century architecture is characterized by the development of a variety of historical styles and introduction of new materials and structural methods. These architects also embraced traditional styles of architecture in the construction of their buildings. As a result of industrial revolution several materials were made available to the designers including; glass cast iron and steel.
The evolution of architecture took place between late 19th century and early 20th century, marking the period of a new era in building and construction. The styles used in these buildings were independent and did not borrow from previous building forms. Changes in construction methodology including the invention of skyscrapers were a characteristic of this period. The Art Nouveau movement introduced curvilinear lines and sophisticated styles of decorative elements. The design of residential structures was also significantly influenced by the various architectural innovations of this period. American architect Frank Lloyd created prairie style. The houses had gently sloping roofs with deeply overhanging eaves. Among the architectural structures developed at this time include; Art nouveau (1893), Prairie school (1906-09), berlin AEG turbine factory (1908-09) and Bauhaus Dessau (1925-1926).
This paper analyses the development of modernism in architecture from the middle of 19th century to the period of Bauhaus. Individual architectural structures in this period will be discussed to understand the period and style of the given architectural structure.
House of Parliament
Following the destruction of the old parliament, there was a need for construction of a new parliament and architects Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin had the responsibility of designing and building the new house of parliament (Richardson 345). The engineers diverted from neoclassic architects that were typical for all government buildings and embraced Gothic Revival design of the house. New building materials such as cast iron enabled the gothic revival design to stand out as the best design of that era. The parliament was long and horizontal with Victoria tower at one end and the famous clock tower on the other side. The parliament building was symmetrical with repetitive ornamentation attributes of classical architecture. The building greatly resembled a medieval church or a castle fortress. The parliament had decorative patterns, lancet windows, and finials. The design used in the construction of the house borrowed enormously from previous architecture and decoration patterns.
Richardson wholesale store
The growing demand for strong, large buildings that can hold a lot of items in a small place resulted in changes in architecture. Furthermore, the increasing need for fireproof buildings was also led to massive changes in building industries. Henry Hobson Richardson's wholesale was designed to tackle the problems. The building was enormous, having many flows and a large number of windows that bring light into the various rooms. The structure of the building constitutes several steel metals encased in masonry walls. The combination of steel and masonry walls protected the building from the fire as this structure could resist fire. Several windows were used in the construction for decorations and to allow passage of light into the building, and this was boosted by the use of steel in the construction of the building. The design of the building shows close parallels with Renaissance palace and Romanesque Revival style without using the ornamentation of classic buildings like the parliament.
The Richardson building supports itself by the interior framing of wood and iron. Its exterior design was done with stone work bringing an image of the Romanesque Palazzo. The exterior design also included well-crafted windows that surrounded the entire building. From its external appearance, the building would give an impression of having four levels, yet it had seven floors and a sunken basement. This building combined heavy massing and repeated round arched windows a character of Romanesque style with graduated horizontal building subdivision a characteristic of Renaissance palazzo. The Richardson Marshall Field Wholesale introduced new building materials and a new perspective of how structures can be designed and used in the construction of buildings for future generations.
Tassel house in Brussels
Hotel Tassel is among the most outstanding pioneering work in architecture at the end of 19th century (Sharp 30). This structure was one of the first initiators of Art Nouveau. The building had an open plan, diffusion of light and fantastic curved lines of decoration include in the structure of the building. Horta achieved a remarkable sense of unity with a greater focus on the tiniest of details of the building ranging from door handles or bells to the furniture used in such premises. These building used new materials in construction including steel and glass. The introduction of modern technical utility made such buildings outstanding during late 19th century. The Hotel Tassel used the principle of the double house connected via a glass covered circulation area. The interior design of this building benefitted from a variety of inventions. Motifs were designed to flow smoothly from the well fabricated mosaic floors to the beautifully painted walls, including wrought ironwork and custom furniture. This model represented human creativity and genius and illustrated the effect of Art Nouveau style on art and architecture.
Prairie school
Prairie school design which is one of the outstanding architectural works in early 20th century, represented by its integration with surrounding landscape, flat roofs and horizontal lines (Hertzberger 25). Sometimes hipped roofs with broad eaves were incorporated. Also, windows were assembled at horizontal bands, solid construction, craftsmanship and restraint in the use of decoration was evident from the architecture of this building. This structure was a new method of building houses and was independent of historical and revivalist influence. The Prairie school used handcrafting and craftsmanship to design its products. The horizontal orientation of prairie school was meant to provide a unique identity of American design. The above design set a platform for future architects like Bauhaus, Minimalist, and De Stijl. Through the architecture of Prairie school, the relevance of landscape on the design of buildings was brought up, and this influenced future constructions.
AED turbine factory
The AED turbine factory in Berlin does not entirely avoid traditional architecture. It's solid gable and corner walls clearly depict a classical temple. The building's industrial nature required a different approach to fulfilling its spatial and functional requirement. The materials used for the construction of this building included; steel and glass. The design by Behrens was later embraced by other architects in designing of various industrial setups. Werkbund opted for technology in creating objects and buildings that are required by the society. A steel frame and thick masonry massing were used during the construction of the factory. A combination of huge corners, horizontal bands, and overhanging roofs was also used for lightness and mass. The use of stanchions taper and finish bond on massive hinges further signifies embracing of new technology in building.
Bauhaus Gropius building
The Bauhaus building differentiated the different functional areas in a school including workshop, administration block and the school. The Bauhaus building provides a clear indicator of modern architectural movement with its functionalism, innovative use of raw materials and wall glass facades. Also, the building also had horizontal windows, no decorations like the earlier constructions and the concept of space dominated its constructors. The components used in the construction of this building include; reinforced concrete, rolled steel and plate glass in a variety of large sizes. The walls had a smooth white plaster with their base rough and gray. The windows were steel and the walls made of lime plaster. The Magnesians floors were helpful in the construction of the corridors and stairs, and offices had different colors. Incorporation of a central heating zone with radiators was also used in the construction of the building.
Work cited
Hertzberger, Herman. Lessons for students in architecture. Vol. 1. 010 Publishers, 2005.
Idriss, Nadia. "Architecture As An Expression Of Identity: Abbas Hilmi Ii And The Neo-Mamluk Style." (2010).
Richardson, Carol M. "Edward Pugin and English Catholic Identity: The New Church of the Venerable English College in Rome." the Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians 66.3 (2007): 340-365.
Sharp, D. (2002). Twentieth-century architecture: A visual history. Images are publishing.
