Week 13-Modernism in America (Part 2)

 This week in History of Interiors we learned about modernism in America (Part 2). In the 1950’s and 1960’s mid-century modern architecture and interior design became popular.  

In architecture this meant clean lines using glass with open floor plans, flat roofs with angular details with asymmetrical profiles made up of bi-levels, this style brought the outdoors in.  

This style used earthy warm tones while also using a few fun trendy colors such as turquoise. Furniture was commonly made from plastics and similar materials to create all sorts of fun shapes.  

One man who is well known from this movement is Joseph Eichler, inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright, he was a real-estate developer, creating subdivisions filled with mid-century modern type houses. Building over 11,000 homes all made post and beam construction, glass walls, concrete floors that had open floor plans, with Low slope or A-Framed roofs.  

 
(Joseph Eichler House) (Modern Day Application- A Frame)

There were several furniture designers during this period, one of which was Eero Saarinen, who we talked about last week. He worked with Charles and Ray Eames and for Knoll, creating the tulip chair. While he used a significant amount of glass in his architectural designs with sweeping curves, he was never fully committed to one style, rather letting his clients have more influence. In creating furniture, he used modern materials, with primary colors to create sculpture like pieces.  

The design firm Knool was established in 1938 by a husband-and-wife duo, Hans and Florence Knoll. This company still exists today and is known for their office systems, furniture, textiles, and commercial accessories.  

Next, the couple that truly introduced me to architecture- Charles and Ray Eames, whom I did my precedent project building (Eames House) on freshman year. Charles was an architect and industrial designer, while Ray was originally an artist and film maker. Together the couple designed furniture, emphasizing ergonomic factors, as well as having a large influence on the average American home. They loved to experiment in their furniture designs, using molded plywood and fiberglass, as well as plywood and aluminum.  

(Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman) (Modern Day Application)

Herman Miller is a design manufacturing company, established in 1905, known for office furniture, office equipment, and modern home furnishings, they partnered with amazing designers such as the Eames. George Nelson was one of the directors for Herman Miller and created over 80 different pieces of furniture for the company.  

 

One Step Further: 

My one step further for this week is going to be about Charles and Ray Eames. Together they were an iconic duo who accomplished so much together. One of their most famous architectural works is known as the Eames house but is actually referred to as “Case Study House #8” which they built for themselves after their daughter left the home. This house was an experiment using cheap but strong materials and techniques and experiences derived from WWII. This was a two story, two building structure, the larger one they lived in and the second one served as an art studio. The steel structure was put up in merely 16 hours, while the couple spent the rest of their lives in that home.