Modernism in architecture, as discussed by Sarah Williams Goldhagen in her article Something to Talk about: Modernism, Discourse, Style, may often be interpreted as flat roofs, transparencies, and most often compositions controlled by geometric shapes (Goldhagen, 1). Cold, aloof, void of ornaments. Asymmetrical, and a play of elements and volumes. Open, light-filled, and the feeling of spaciousness.
Modernism, as the name itself suggests, goes against traditional and historical means, and was based on innovative technologies – the influence of industrialism. It’s associated with the emphasis of form following function, the rational use of materials, and the elimination of ornaments. In Britain, the term Modern Movement has been used to describe the rigorous modernist designs of the 1930s to the early 1960s.
Through modernism too came about the popular phrase, “Less is More” by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Mies, one of the pioneers of architectural modernism, has produced many phenomenal modern architecture buildings. A perfect example of modern architecture, and of which has been the model for many designers in the future run, would be his Barcelona Pavilion.
The pavilion was the face of Germany after WWI, matching the nation’s progressively modern culture that was still rooted in its classical history. The pavilion’s design is based on a formulaic grid system developed by Mies, and every aspect of the Barcelona Pavilion has architectural significance that can be seen at the advent of modern architecture in the 20th Century. The Barcelona Pavilion served as a bridge into his future career, as well as architectural modernism.
Works Cited:
Kroll, Andrew. “AD Classics: Barcelona Pavilion / Mies van der Rohe” ArchDaily, 2011. https://www.archdaily.com/109135/ad-classics-barcelona-pavilion-mies-van-der-rohe
Goldhagen, Sarah Williams. “Something to Talk about: Modernism, Discourse, Style.” Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians, vol. 64, no. 2, 2005, pp. 144–167.
Gianakos, Jules. “AD Classics: De La Warr Pavilion / Erich Mendelsohn and Serge Chermayeff” ArchDaily, 2011. https://www.archdaily.com/165747/ad-classics-de-la-warr-pavilion-erich-mendelsohn-and-serge-chermayeff
“Modernism.” Explore Architecture, RIBA, 2019. https://www.architecture.com/explore-architecture/modernism
Amienah Simangoon 