Neo-Corbusianism Flashcards

Neo-Corbusianism Overview

• Architectural movement from the 20th century, influenced by Le Corbusier's Purist Modernism pre-WW2.
• Emphasizes aesthetic, formal, and organizational models from early modern architecture.

Traits of Neo-Corbusian

• Characterized by geometric clarity in plans and elevations.
• Features elevated living spaces for improved views and accessibility.
• Includes free-form accent walls, enhancing visual dynamics.
• Utilizes freestanding screens to frame exterior views.
• Dominated by pure white forms, often accented with primary colors.
• Incorporates pilotis to elevate structures, maintaining a relationship with the ground.
• Designed with geometric solids and forms, emphasizing clean lines.
• Common architectural elements include strip windows and ramps.
• Pipe railings are a recurring feature, providing subtle contrasts.
• Blurs boundaries between interior and exterior spaces.

Structural Characteristics

• Structures often employ Domino system or column-and-beam grid frameworks.
• Rigorously composed plans emphasize geometric systems for organization.
• Designed as servant/served hierarchy, ensuring efficient circulation.
• Compositions manipulate light through interactions of voids, planes, and solids.

The New York Five

• A collective term for five influential architects in New York during the late 1960s and early 1970s.
• Gained prominence through the MOMA exhibition in 1969 and the publication "Five Architects" in 1972.
• Each architect's work was heavily inspired by Le Corbusier's theories from the 1920s and 1930s.

Notable Members of The New York Five

• John Hejduk
• Michael Graves
• Peter Eisenman
• Charles Gwathmey
• Richard Meier

Critique of The New York Five

• Criticism stemmed from their disconnection with traditional siting concerns and usability of their designs.
• Accused of elitism by treating architecture as high art, distancing it from daily life experiences.

Iconic Work: Hanselmann House

• The design consists of a double square in plan and a double cube in volume.
• Distinction between open and enclosed spaces enhances spatial experience.

Peter Eisenman's Philosophy

• Connections between architecture and philosophical or literary narratives inform his designs.
• Earlier works derived from transformations of forms reflecting relationships between language and structure.

Architectural Impact of House II

• Noted for resulting in poorly constructed and user-unfriendly designs.

Architectural Concept of House VI

• Characterized by reverse symmetry, showcasing a unique approach to spatial organization.

Richard Meier's Design Style

• Known for white Neo-Corbusian structures that integrate enameled panels and glass.
• Designs emphasize linear relationships involving ramps and handrails, creating visual coherence.
• Despite similarities, Meier’s projects showcase diverse variations within a consistent theme.