Architecture the 1920s & 1930s – the birth of Modernism

The radical architects of the post-World War One years aimed for simplicity. Buildings were reduced to simple geometric outlines, and prefabricated components were used to make building labour easier where possible. The style became known as modernism since these were buildings for a new era.

Theoretical School

The Bauhaus design school in Germany was at the epicentre of modernism. It was formed in 1919 by German-born architect Walter Gropius (1883 – 1969) to train artists in industrial design, but it became notable for its students’ beliefs. One of the key Bauhaus ideals was that form should follow function or that an object’s or building’s appearance should be determined by its use or purpose.

Simple Flavors

Famous modernist architects such as Le Corbusier, Walter Gropius, and German-born Mies van der Rohe’s work was certainly frill-free. Buildings had flat roofs, prefabricated aluminium window frames (a cheaper alternative to labour-intensive wood), and concrete walls. The form was harsh, with geometric elements like cubes and rectangles dominating.

Machines that allow people to live

Buildings had become as sleek and utilitarian as the machine, a postwar icon of speed and progress. The machine symbolised democracy because mass production meant that items could be created cheaply, making them more accessible to a broader range of people.

Le Corbusier

The machine fascinated one of the most radical architects of the day, the Frenchman Le Corbusier (1887 – 1965), who famously remarked, “A house is a machine for living in.” He made extensive use of reinforced concrete in the construction of his structures. This eliminated the need for interior walls to support the weight of the floors and roofs, allowing for large windows and open-plan interiors.

A Friendship with Salvador Dalí

Le Corbusier’s relationship with surrealist artist Salvador Dalí was notably ambivalent. Despite considering Le Corbusier a “friend,” Dalí harshly criticized his architectural works, describing them as “the ugliest and most unacceptable buildings in the world.” However, upon Le Corbusier’s death in 1965, Dalí placed flowers on his grave, stating, “On the one hand I detested him, but on the other hand I am an absolute coward.” (ArchDaily)

The Tragic End

Le Corbusier’s life ended under poignant circumstances. Against medical advice, he went for a swim in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of his summer home in southern France on August 27, 1965. He suffered a heart attack while swimming and drowned. His body was discovered by bathers later that day. (ArchDaily)

Sources

Gaff, J. (2000) 20th-century Design:  20s & 30s between the wars. Gareth Stevens Publishing.

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