What is life? Exploring Mies van der Rohe’s concept of architecture as a life process From his popular motto ‘less is more’ to his concept of architecture as ‘the spatially apprehended will of the epoch’, the aphorisms of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (1886-1969) remain one of his most memorable legacies. Despite being less well known, other such statements promoted by Mies are also important to clarify the philosophy that sustained his works. This paper investigates one of these less known yet highly revealing statements: ‘Building-art is only understandable as a life process’. Considering the broader context of Mies’s discourse, philosophical readings, and architectural projects, this paper argues that Mies used the term ‘life process’ to refer to a larger changing reality that united the material and the spiritual realms of life. According to Mies, the recognition of this material-spiritual unity …show more content…
Mies continued to promote both this project and this concept of architecture later on, such as in the seminal monograph that accompanied his solo exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 1947. He also reaffirmed this concept during a talk at the Architectural League of New York around 1960. Towards the end of this talk, Mies received the following comment: ‘I’m not sure what we’ve been talking about all evening … I’d like to know what your definition of architecture might be … I’m sure your definition would be better than almost anyone’s here’. Mies replied, ‘I’ll tell it in German. It is too difficult for me … Baukunst ist raumgefaßter Zeitwille … Why don’t you write it down and then try to translate
Behind every building, there is an idea. No architect can deny that both Frank Lloyd Wright and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe developed and introduced a style of architecture that has left a lasting influence on design and concept. Their philosophy of modernism has similarities that can be seen throughout the design of their structures, however, their, contrasting views of modernism is distinguishable in Wright’s Falling Water and Mies’ Farnsworth house. Their choices of the building site, material, and idea behind the structures separate the two architects and their philosophies.
This essay will focus on how those works are informed by both regional and international course. In this context, Sydney Ancher and his strong Miesian simplicity as well as Peter Muller’s affinity with Frank Lloyd Wright’s organic architecture principle.
This concept of space being defined pertains to the ideas of modernism in reference to the importance of space, and exactly how to efficiently utilize it. Similar to that seen in the courtyard in front of Wiess Law, the large open space helps create a more communal and interactive area for the visitors to be more aware. Such as Mies embraces the idea of creating areas for individuals to become more contemplative about their surroundings, William Watkin had similar ideas when designing the original building and its landscape. This concept coincides with the building itself and its architectural
“Architecture should not be seen as representing a magical transition from the worldly to the heavenly, as had been implied by the Baroque Style, but rather as a medium that told nothing less than the story of the “origins” of mankind.” (Ching 610)
"Our relationship to almost every building changes over time, and for all kinds of reasons". (Goldberger, 2009).In everyday experiences when we confront a building, it is rare for our non-related architectural perceptions and thoughts to disappear from our mind, no matter how intense our interaction is. This happens when a piece of architecture functions just as a background mood in our consciousness, however closely we encounter the object. This can be explained as the effect of time on our relationship to architectural works in everyday experiences in modern and post-modern eras. This can bring an advantage of numbing a negative feeling towards a piece.But our relationship with buildings
Frank Gehry’s deconstructivism evolution is showcased by the use of non-traditional materials, conscientious detail to the building’s intended use which elevates his architecture into
In Corbusier’s architecture he sought to refine the buildings to a perfect standard in with the aim of benefiting society on whole. Corbusier firmly believed in the power of architecture to effect the lives of people, in his collection of essays on modern architecture titled Vers une architecture (Toward[s] an Architecture) Corbusier claims architecture to be “A product of happy peoples and a thing which in itself produces happy peoples.” Through his publication of L’Espirit Nouveau, and through his works as an architect and artist Corbusier implemented the orderly, rational and logical aesthetics that he believed would lead towards a better world for his adopted nation of France, and the world, addressing issues of the time such as housing.
Leon Krier was criticised for publishing a costly monograph on Albert Speer’s architecture (1985)in which, while acknowledging the crimes of the Nazis and the man, Krier nonetheless claimed the book’s only subject and sole justification was “Classical architecture and the passion of building” (cited by Jaskot, ‘Architecture of Oppression’, 2000). Discuss this claim, the controversy and the issues (historical, philosophical and ethical and possibly others) they raise. Can architecture, Classical, Modern or otherwise, be autonomous from politics and valued independently of the circumstances of politics and history that adhere to it?
Theastre Gates' minimalist exhibition, How To Build A House Museum, is a historic event for the Art Gallery of Ontario. Commonly regarded as a somewhat conventional gallery, Gates' immersive work is a monumental step towards engaging the AGO with contemporary artists lives and works. As we walk into the fifth floor, the audience feels as if we have crossed through time to another space, similar to the transportive journey that listening to music or being in a club takes you on. Gates uses his art to evoke that same form of escapism. However, once your mind feels relaxed and is open to take in the exhibit, Gates throws a multitude of historical graphs, personal items and architecture layered in meaning onto you, as a reminder that this whole
As writer, interior designer, educator, and American architect Frank Lloyd Wright once said, “The mother art is architecture. Without an architecture of our own we have no soul of our own civilization” (BrainyQuote). The purpose of this paper will deal with the description of...
Architecture should be nurturing, responsive and alive, dynamically shifting spatial balances, organically expressive forms, subtly luminous colors and biologically healthy. To achieve such life-enhancing architecture, it has to address all the body senses simultaneously and fuse our image of self with experience of the world. By strengthening our sense of self and reality, architecture serves its all-important function of accommodation and
In the World Like Colossus, the author mentions various types of architect’s version of the truth or the gaze. Each architect, while not directly saying, implies that their truth is absolute. This brings to question is there is such a thing as one universal truth to the way we see and experience architecture; whether it’s through Le Corbusier’s sketching or Mendelsohn’s photography, immersing yourself in the experience or taking a quick view of it. I think the diversity of each architect’s viewpoint negates the idea that one should be a “universal truth”-- instead we should embrace the different opinions of each traveler to form a more holistic approach to whatever truth we may
Mies van der Rohe is one of the most prominent figures in modernist architectural history, the man who popularised some of the most influential phrases of the era, e.g. “less is more”, and strove to push his ideas and philosophies, not just on what he thought a building should be, but of what he thought architecture itself was. He changed the cityscape of America, showing the world a style that was simple and elegant, with such a controlled palette of expressions that shone through in its geometric beauty.
Architecture is often mistaken as purely an art form, when in actually it is where art and engineering or art and practicality meet. For example, painting is an art, when preformed well it yields a beautiful picture that evokes a deep human reaction and brings pleasure to its viewer, however this painting provides no function, it cannot shield us from the rain or protect us from the wind or snow, it is purely form. An insulated aluminum shed provides shelter and protection from Mother Nature; however, it is a purely functional building, it was drawn by an engineer, not conceived by an artist to have form. The culmination of form and function is Architecture, the Greeks and Romans fathered this idea and Palladio’s study of roman architecture taught him his valuable truth.
Architecture can be viewed with two different types of properties. Properties that can be seen like shapes, their composition, the spaces they create and, the colours and textures that make up their appearance. These properties are considered to be visual while other properties are considered to be abstract. These properties can only be described using words; the meanings behind the architecture and the stories that can be told about it. The context, its cultural background and its function also affects how we view architecture. The question is, what