The Architectural Style You (Will) Love
The Influence of the International Style on Modernist and Mid-Century Modern Architecture
In the previous chapter of our pamphlet on the origins of Mid-Century Modern, we explored how the Bauhaus school established foundational values for future architectural styles. We will now move on to the International Style, a prominent example of this progression.
The International Style's principles of minimalism, functionality, and the honest expression of materials significantly influenced modernist and mid-century modern architecture. Its spread in the United States was facilitated by key exhibitions, the migration of European architects, and the economic and industrial context of the mid-20th century, leading to its enduring impact on the American architectural landscape.
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Origins and Principles
Emerging in the 1920s and 1930s, the International Style drew inspiration from Bauhaus principles, emphasizing functionality, simplicity, and the use of modern materials like steel and glass. This approach introduced revolutionary construction methods, marking a significant evolution in modern architecture.
Characterized by an aesthetic that leaned heavily on the machine age, the International Style departed from ornamental designs, favoring the straightforward expression of structure and materials. Key proponents, including Le Corbusier, J.J.P. Oud, Walter Gropius, Jean Lurçat, Gerrit Rietveld, and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, played pivotal roles in defining its characteristics and ethos.
Le Corbusier's "Five Points of Architecture" became a foundational aspect of the International Style. These principles emphasized the use of pilotis (supporting columns) to elevate buildings, functional roof gardens, open floor plans, horizontal windows, and free façade designs independent of structural constraints. Simultaneously, Mies van der Rohe's minimalist approach—encapsulated in his famous dictum "less is more"—further defined the style's aesthetic, emphasizing open spaces and the industrial beauty of bare structure and materials.
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Introduction to the American Audience
The 1932 exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, organized by Henry-Russell Hitchcock and Philip Johnson, formally introduced the International Style to a wide American audience. This exhibition was critical in shaping the discourse of contemporary architecture for decades, presenting works that epitomized the new direction and attitude of modern architecture. Notably, the exhibition showcased works by European architects but also signaled the transition of modernist architectural energy to the United States.
In America, the International Style coincided with the economic and social changes of the 1930s, particularly the New Deal. This period saw a proliferation of construction and industrial design that aligned with the International Style's emphasis on efficiency and industrial aesthetics. The style found expression in various building types, from skyscrapers to public works and private residences.
Influence on Modernist and Mid-Century Modern Architecture
The impact of the International Style on contemporary design was profound. Its principles of functionality, clarity of structure, and minimalism continue to influence modern architecture. The style's legacy is evident in the continued appreciation for unadorned surfaces, open living spaces, and the harmonious blend of form and function. It paved the way for later movements and styles, ensuring that the ideals of the Bauhaus and early modernists continued to resonate in the design world.
The International Style significantly influenced modernist and mid-century modern architecture, particularly in the United States. Its emphasis on minimalism, functionality, and the use of industrial materials resonated with the modernist ethos of creating designs that reflect the spirit of the age.
Mid-century modern architecture, which emerged in the mid-20th century, drew inspiration from the International Style, particularly in the integration of indoor and outdoor spaces, open floor plans, and the emphasis on simplicity and functionality.
Factors Contributing to the Spread in the USA
The spread of the International Style in the USA can be attributed to several factors. The 1932 exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, organized by Philip Johnson and Henry-Russell Hitchcock, played a pivotal role in introducing the style to a broader American audience.
Additionally, the migration of European architects to the United States during and after World War II brought the principles of the International Style directly into American architectural practice. Architects such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius, who were instrumental in defining the International Style in Europe, continued their work in the USA, influencing a generation of American architects and contributing to the style's widespread adoption.
The economic and industrial boom in the United States during the mid-20th century also facilitated the adoption of the International Style. Its emphasis on efficiency, standardization, and the use of modern materials like steel and glass aligned well with the industrial capabilities and economic aspirations of the era. The style's adaptability to various building types, from residential homes to large commercial skyscrapers, further contributed to its widespread acceptance across the country.
The International Style's adaptability to various building types, ranging from residential homes to large commercial skyscrapers, significantly contributed to its widespread acceptance across the United States.
In residential architecture, the International Style introduced clean lines, open floor plans, and functional spaces that appealed to modern sensibilities. Architects employed innovative concrete systems and modular designs, allowing for mass production and cost efficiency in housing. This approach aligned with the mid-20th-century demand for economical and efficient homes, facilitating the American Dream of homeownership.
In the commercial sector, the International Style's emphasis on functionality and minimalism resonated with corporate America's desire for modern, efficient workspaces. The use of steel and glass allowed for the construction of towering skyscrapers with open, flexible interiors. Notable examples include the Seagram Building in New York City, designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Philip Johnson, which became a prototype for modern office buildings.
The style's versatility extended to public and institutional buildings as well. Its principles were applied to universities, government complexes, and cultural institutions, creating cohesive and functional public spaces. For instance, the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston features additions designed by Mies van der Rohe that exemplify the International Style's application in cultural architecture.
Conclusion
This adaptability across various building types made the International Style a practical choice for architects and developers, leading to its widespread adoption and enduring influence on the American architectural landscape.
In our next chapter, we'll delve into the aesthetics of Mid-Century Modernism. We'll examine how this style, influenced by its predecessors, brought a fresh perspective to architecture and design, leaving an indelible mark on the visual landscape.
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I love this piece and it correlate with research I have done on the mid century journey in Colorado Springs. Our local at risk architecture designed by Jan Ruhtenberg unearthed his ties to Bauhaus, Mies van der Rohe, Philip Johnson, MoMo and his significant contributions to furniture design, but also the attempt to wipe him out of history because of sexual orientation. Hope to read about him someday and that his architecture will survive.