Modern Movement In The Architecture Of The Twentieth Century

Modern movement in the architecture of the twentieth century

Architecture lives a radical change when the twentieth century arrived, the trends used until that time were ornate and not very functional according to the mentality that began to change in the new students. It goes from seeking ornamental beauty, to seek as its main objective, functionality.

Within the modern movement different trends are born, all under the command of a rationalist and modern thought, leaving as mentioned above, to the function as the main objective of architecture. Therefore, the most emblematic motto of the modern movement is known as "the form follows the function". The architecture that occurred as a solution to the disasters left by world wars, the cities saw the need for an architectural reconstruction, lacking ornamental elements, austere, functional and mainly economic. Consumerism and industrialization that began its boom at the same time, generated new needs towards populations that had development potential.

The modern movement arrives with trends such as rationalism implemented by Bauhaus, the latter being the most important institution of the twentieth century, following the functionalism by Le Corbusier, as well as the birth of the neoplasticism of Mies van der Rohe, reaching the majorexponent and representative of modern architecture known as international style.

Among the main characteristics of the modern movement, very simple, but significant elements can be found in the face of the functionality of the spaces, the use of horizontal windows, curtain walls, the thin walls and plans began to contemplate, the use of new prefabricated materials whereThey manage to see the industrial advances of that time.

Among those that most predominated are steel, glass and concrete, the facades mostly had a flat surface, however, some rounded corners can be seen in constructions belonging to this movement, the fact that the greatest formal simplicity is soughtIn a space he put aside any element element, following the idea that a space was functional.

In search of a solution to the population growth that increased increasingly to greater quantities thanks to industrialization, commerce and economic growth CIAM (International Congress of Modern Architecture) A group of architects was responsible for defining approaches for modern architecture. Among the solutions appears Le Corbusier with his “ideal city” program where he incorporated the principles of functionality and economy. Plans that served as inspiration for the organization of several cities, but was never completely implemented.

While the modern movement offered practical and economic solutions to the disasters that war had caused, as well as the use of industrial advances offered an effective result to these projects, the population was not in the face of this new architecture. It is said that citizens were "boring" of the "black boxes" that were replicated in the largest cities in world power countries.

There were many answers and opinions against these styles. In 1960 postmodernism was born as an alternative response, identified as a movement that clearly opposes the modern movement. Where the typologies of the past are located as the main characteristics of the buildings, recovering the ornament in their new designs as well as the freedom of colors in their facades and interiors, in this case, the flat or formal facades are rejected by retaking aspecies of neo-eclecticism adapting modern forms with elements used in buildings throughout history shaping a monumental building.

Such is the case of the AT&T building in New York City in 1978 by Philip Johnson, the use of pink granite instead of the curtain wall that could be easily identified in international -style buildings, using auctions in the part, are used on their facades, using auctions in the partSuperior being one of the main characteristics of this movement.

As in any architectural tendency, the modern movement had several criticisms, the most mentioned and of more weight, was that they left aside the human element as a main factor in many of their works, for complying with design elements or its "simplicity",They put aside the study of the human factor. There are several cases that can be taken as an example of this inefficiency. Therefore, birth of postmodernism is recognized as a monitoring of the modern, but with a more humanistic influence following the rational and functional regimes.

conclusion

Architecture, although, is recognized as the person in charge of solving human problems, being constantly evolving and development always depending on industrial and technological advances, constantly fulfilling the needs of a globalized world. It can be considered that modern movement and postmodernism are a clear example of this dependence.

The work of the architects, engineers and urban planners of the twentieth century is an example of architectural evolution. They emerged as a solution to postwar disasters, however, they were very criticized. The theories and research implemented in the constructions of this era left a concern and desire to improve techniques, currently thanks to the industry and technology, this objective can be achieved more easily, without leaving aside the human factor as a main element in aspace.

The solutions that were offered in these movements are insufficient for the current era, the population percentage, consumerism, industrialization, dependence on technological and needs in general have changed, however, most modern works remainicon and example for many architects of the 21st century.