Fourth Class

In this class we learn more about De Stilj. The thing that I like about De Stilj is that it has it very own style. Each planes of the composition that are found in the De Stilj style architecture could be differentiated by the use of different colors. It also very much similar to the De Stilj style paintings, this could make the person who sees the architecture recognized immediately that it is ‘De Stilj’. To me De Stilj is very much following the same principles as the modern architectures. It consists of only pure geometrical forms and pure color, the primary colors. This shows that they are very straightforward and honest like what the modernist trying to show. We also learn about Mies Van de Rohe, what I like about Mies is that he plays with planes. After seeing his architecture I realized that even though the planes are very simple but with good arrangement it can really made a very interesting forms and structure. Also I like the way that we can see the truth in Mies architecture, there are no pretending, all the truth about the construction are shown, there are nothing hiding behind!! With close look at Mies building we can see all the details about the construction, we can see which all are the structure that carrying the loads and which doesn’t, also how different parts of the buildings are joined together, and what is the material that were used in the building. In the last session of the class we see the examples of the architecture in the Holliwood side of America. In the film there is one part that an advertising film of a house were film. We can see that in the recording film, it trying to capture the image of the life style of the people living inside the house. It more about creating an ideal lifestyle for the people!! This is very much different from the modernism that takes place in the other side of America which we have seen earlier, which doesn’t focus much about the lifestyle of the people living inside, but more on theoretical way, by trying to show the truth.

Third Assignment

In this lecture we learn more things about Le Corbusier and modernism. We see the connection between the architecture and the art that Le Corbusier had brought out. We see that in Villa Savoy, Le Corbusier has made the plan to look like a painting. I found this very interesting. It shows a new experimentation of integrating the art and architecture together. This would improve the quality of the architecture both in term of the visual appearance and the inner quality, through giving the quality of an art into architecture. Also we learn about five principles of architecture that Le Corbusier has proposed. Many of these principles could still be applied in today’s world, and there are also many modern architecture that still use some of these principles. The five principles are

1 Free standing support pillar

2 Free floor plan independent from support

3 vertical façade that free from support

4 Long horizontal sliding windows

5 Roof Garden

The example of the use of these principles can be seen clearly in Villa Savoy(1). We also see the further development of Le Corbusier architecture styles, the building is not just a box any more it contains more complicated forms. He uses the five principles of architecture. Also we can see a clearer division between the class and individuality inside the building, it is not about just “Averageman” anymore, we can see this in the building “Brazilian Pavilion” (2). The façade has more complicated forms, these forms are created by following the inside space of the building. This shows that inside the building there are different forms, different plans and program, which expressed the individuality, and division between the classes, and moving slightly away from machine age and mass production. To me I think this shifting would make a better improvement, it makes the building to be more practical. Also the invention of the concept of sharing of the facilities inside the apartment, proposed the new way of improving the facilities and living in the modern age. This introduces the theme of ‘Sharing” into the society. Its not any more that everyone has everything equally, but it is about sharing and joining together. Even though some of these developments would be contradicts to Le Corbusier initial proposal, but I think it is a development toward something more practical and a better view of future, so I think this development is very positive to the quality of Le Corbusier buildings.

(1)

(2)