Week 10- Other Modernisms, Modernism in America


This week we talked about modernism in america and how it further developed after WWII. Originally, modernism started in Europe, and it spread to the united states because a lot of architects fled during the war. This created a shift from theoretical design to more practical design. America focused more on new materials and functional everyday life. One of the most interesting parts of this period is how they used modern ideas to fit american culture. They focused on using open floor plans and connecting to nature, which led to pretty minimalist and simple designs that felt comfortable to live in. New materials and technology developed and created more room for experimentation. Popular materials included glass, steel, and concrete. Some major designers of this period were Frank Lloyd Wright, who designed fallingwater. Fallingwater is a great example of modern architecture that connects to nature. He believed strongly in organic architecture, where buildings should work with the environment, not against it. Also, Richard Neutra and Rudolph Schindler were important names in this period for their work.


Favorite Examples:

Fallingwater: Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright directly over a waterfall and connected to nature. 

Glass House: Designed by Philip Johnson. Uses glass walls to create transparency and openness

The Tulip Chair: by Eero Saarinen. Smooth and sculptural form. Simplified into one clean shape.



Current Examples: 

Eames Lounge Chair: still made and widely sold today. Uses molded plywood and leather.


Noguchi Coffee Table: glass top and sculptural wood base. Used in modern interiors

Eichler Homes: thousands of homes were built mid-century with glass walls, open floor plans, and indoor/outdoor connections. 

Knoll Showrooms: modern furniture and minimal design


One Step Further:

For my one step further, I'm going to further discuss charles and ray eames. They made modern work accessible to everyday people. They focused mainly on comfort and used materials like molded plywood and fiberglass. The furniture they designed was not just functional; it was very beautiful. I appreciate how their designs are simple yet very thoughtful.


Reflection:

This period was awesome because it's very practical. I really appreciate practical design that connects to everyday life. Instead of just focusing on decoration, designers started thinking about how people actually use spaces. The furniture and housing of this period are just fascinating. Personally, I am drawn to the clean and functional spaces of this period. So, I really appreciate how modernism creates spaces that feel inviting in this way.

Comments

  1. Professor VanderNoordaaMarch 29, 2026 at 9:28 AM

    Allyssa,
    I loved your description of this design period. It was practical and beautifully executed. The furniture was sculptural and unique. The fact that this furniture is popular today supports it's brilliant design. 50/50 points

    ReplyDelete

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