Modernism
Following
the first world war a philosophical movement erose, called modernism. Modernism
was a reaction to a number of technological developments and a sudden change
which the western society experienced during the industrial revolution and
after the first and second world war. Europe was traumatised after the war, it
needed change. Modernists grasped this opportunity to forget historical design
or rather reinterpreted. One of the pioneers of modern architecture once stated
three simple but yet effective words that define the movement, which was “less
is more” (Mies Van Der Rohe). These
words will move on to be one of the key principles of modernism. Many designers
and Architects were influenced by this movement and started emphasising on the
essential components such as space, lines, light and sound.
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe was a German architect who is well know for his famous quote that defines modernism 'less is more', he is widely known as a pioneer together Le Corbusier, Walter Gropius and Frank Lloyd Wright for modern architecture. As stated in the intro many modernist felt the time for change after the first world war, one particular modernist was himself, a man who created an influential twentieth century architectural style that innovated many artist and designers including myself. His buildings featured simplicity and clarity as he often used modern materials such as industrial steel and glass. He called his building skin and bones as he frequently applied minimal framework to his structures, he emphasized on balance and free open spaces.
The Barcelona Pavilion is one of the great examples of Rohe's work. It was inaugurated by the king of Spain in 1929, It was built for a fair and demolished nine months later as the fair ended. It was later rebuilt in 1929 by a group of Catalonia architects and was funded by a German Republic.
The Pavilion demonstrated Germany's will to show to the world a new reassuring image of their country after the war. Its design clearly defines modernism, simplicity, open and nothing to hind. It was also a show house to show the new style of Germany's new building style, it was also built with German industrial products. In this pavilion and in many other works he made it highly evident he was a admirer of ancient Greek architecture as he undermines the contrast between the greenery around the building and the geometrical buildings he installed. Another evident feature that Mies was highly influenced by ancient architecture is that the pavilion is purged and elevated from the ground by a solid base block. This style was used in ancient temple podiums.
The pavilion is designed in a modern, functional manner, but still creates beauty with its simplicity. another factor that helps it be more pleasing to the eye is the variety of materials he uses in this building. He uses a variety of marbles, travartines and also different colored glass. On the other hand he uses pebbles to create contrast with its smooth surroundings. Although he applies all these materials to it he still manages to avoid the busy atmosphere, the reason is because he uses natural colours and avoids any vibrant colours.
As a school assignment we are constructing our own Barcelona pavilion using 3Ds Max, we also try to apply the same exact materials that are visible in the real structure. Below is a visual of the pavilion:
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