Action Verbs Week 12

SPECUALTE : COMPOSE : ENERGIZE : SHAPE : STRETCH

Moving into a modern era, which was sort of confusing at the time, given that designers were designing across a wide range of styles, it made quite an impression on the world of architecture as we know it today. As designers began to speculate how and to what extent they wanted “their” modern styles to reach, they actually turned out to be very diverse and unique. Everyone at the time was designing their own version of what they thought was the modern style. Some designers mixed classical forms with baroque details, and some went straight to geometric and simple lines. There was no doubt that modernism in its beginning stages was anything short of an explosion of a variety of ideas.

Utilizing some classical detailing, it was now time to reinvent and introduce the true meaning of what modern architecture was about. This meant going back to geometric forms as well as to simple basics which architecture finds its foundation. The goal of some designers was to achieve fluidity as well as good shape. With post impressionism right at the beginning of the 20th century, the flattening of space and surface became a technique that many designers were trying to incorporate. Branching out and exploring the world also became popular so with that shape was now as if not more important than ever. Structures came to borrow on the human form when it comes to skin and bones. Buildings such as the Casa Mila and the Sagrada Familia by Antonio Gaudi both encompassed the feeling of nature and a certain smoothness that you could quickly associate with the human form.

There was definitely something about lines that interested many designers and also kind of became a muse. Clean lines were used to show simplicity and plainness as well as solidarity. However they also gave way for the designers to be able to create a stretch throughout their designs. For example, Victor Horta designed the Hotel Tassel with the idea of lines becoming a very important detail within the structure. It clearly shows that lines not only connect everything but they bring certain wholeness to the space. Lines were used within the floor and wall patterns so that these elements could work together in order to be functional as well as attractive to the eye. Even the surface ornamentation was made to look stretched over the façade.

Lines also did something else for the designer as well as the viewer; they energized the space so that even though it may have looked simple, a person could still feel positive energy radiating from the design. I guess I would most closely relate this energy to meditation. It could also be applied to motifs for decoration. If a space was highly decorated it could have a lever of energy that it gave off to person or a group of people. It could also have a different level of energy even if the space was monotone and plain with maybe just a couple of embellishments. It’s true when people say that sometimes accessories can make or break and outfit. That same expression could very well be used for architecture as well as interior design.

Design was clearly evolving now that it was the time for moving forward and exploring all sorts of styles. To compose one style was and say that it defined modernism was not unlikely. What composed the modern style in itself was the fact that movies, automobiles, exotic locations, and also fashion had a huge impact on design. People now were being exposed to Hollywood and the speed of the cars which in turn showed up in the way people wanted their homes and structures to look. It was all about composure and the way people wanted to be perceived.

Reflection:
This week the action verbs were not hard to describe and connect together. Thinking about architecture and design, both interior and exterior, I found it interesting that so many actions take place within design. To compose and idea is to use all previous knowledge and make it make sense so that the product that we come up with for a design is not confusing. This product should have characteristics in itself that one can point to at a moment’s notice. For instance it should have certain energy and be able to energize the audience so that it will have a place in ones memory as well as history. It should not only use lines to stretch over the surface but also throughout time. It’s okay to use a mixture of styles to create something new, I doubt that modernism has to only deal with things that look futuristic and sharp. Shape should be a very important question to consider when designing because, after all, good shape is what usually attracts people. Even though people often times speculate what good shape can be, I think that it is whatever a person decides is whole and full of life.