1. Theory and Philosophy of Modern Architecture
The Roots of Modern Architecture

2. The Roots of Modern Architecture
Defining Modern Architecture
The Beginning of Modern Architecture
Transformations of 3 contexts:
Cultural Transformations: Neo Classical Architecture ( )
Territorial Transformations: Urban Development ( )
Technical Transformations: Structural Engineering ( )

3. Defining Modern Architecture
General meaning– new, non-traditional, current, contemporary
“Modern Architecture”
Specific meaning– a particular period, ideology or styles (formalism, functionalism, international style, etc.)
“Modern Architecture was the expression of a variety of new social visions challenging the status quo and suggesting alternative possibilities for a way of life” (Curtis, 1987).

4. The Beginning of Modern Architecture
“The historical process which led to the creation of the modern movement in architecture …had no clear beginning which can be pinpointed with precision.” (Curtis, 1987)
Described differently by different historians (themes, styles, years, periods)
Started with the beliefs and ideas long before the forms and styles
Started as early as late 17th- century (the challenge to the Vitruvian proportion and the split between engineering and architecture) (Frampton, 1987)

5. The Roots of Modern Architecture
The Changing [Social] Contexts
Ideology and Philosophy
Technology
Markets
Clients

6. Cultural Transformations: Neo Classical Architecture (1750-1900)
The loss of confidence in Renaissance tradition and the supporting theories
Development of history and archeology disciplines leading to the view of equal value among epochs, traditions and styles
The [new] belief: architecture should express their times

7. New Ideology
“Suppose that an architect of the twelfth or thirteenth century were to return among us, and that he were to be initiated into our modern ideas; if one put at his disposal the perfections of modern industry, he would not build an edifice of the time of Philip Augustus or St. Louis, because this would be to falsify the first law of art, which is to conform the needs and customs of the times”. (Violet-le-Duc, 1863)

8. The New Paradigm: Primitive Hut
“All the splendors of architectural process ever conceived have been modeled on the little rustic hut… It is by approaching the simplicity of this first model that fundamental mistakes are avoided and true perfection is achieved”.
Laugier, 1977
A shift of taste from the Rococo
A Return to basic and natural rationale

9. The New Ideology: Newton’s Cenotaph (Boullee, 1784)
Pure geometry with emotions (space with light)

10. Cultural Transformations: Neo Classical Architecture (1750-1900)
The increase in man’s capacity to exercise control over nature
Fundamental shift in the nature of human consciousness (reason over belief)
The search for the “new true form”
[Some] Revival of the past styles (Greek, Roman, Gothic)

11. Cultural Transformations: Neo Classical Architecture (1750-1900)
Disrupted the world of craft
Collapsed vernacular traditions
Created new economic structures and center of power
New clients (the middle class)
Belief in a just and rational society
Utopian concept

12. Utopian Concept: The Architect’s Dream (Cole, 1840)

13. Territorial Transformations: Urban Development (1800-1909)
Advanced industry
Population increase (longer life expectancy)
Mass production/ higher efficiency
Concentration of production in the city core
High density residential close to production (no public transportation; need to stay close)
Slum and the substandard neighborhood (higher density on the old infrastructure)

14. Territorial Transformations: Urban Development (1800-1909)
Upgraded working-class housing
New housing scheme (stacking apartments in pairs around a common staircase)
Improved infrastructure and living conditions (legal acts)
New industrial prototypes
The open spaces and parks
English picturesque landscape and neo-classical country houses

15. City Living Condition: Over London by Rail (1872)

16. Territorial Transformations: Urban Development (1800-1909)
Mass transportation (railway, underground, streetcars)
Metropolitan region
New town concept
Linear city concept (dependent on mass transit)
English garden city concept (complete functions and avoid transportation)

17. Riverside, Chicago (Olmsted, 1869)
Early suburbanization

18. Riverside, Chicago (Olmsted, 1869)
Natural neighborhood outside the city

19. New Town Concept: The Garden City (Howard,1898)
An economically self sufficient community

20. Technical Transformations: Structural Engineering (1775-1939)
Industrial revolution
Changed production based, modes and locations
The production of new materials (cast iron, reinforced concrete, glass)
Iron construction in railways, bridge and industrial buildings
The split of architecture and engineering
The importance of the role of engineer
New and unprecedented buildings (exhibition halls, offices, factories)

21. Crystal Palace Under Construction, London (Paxton, 1851)

22. Brooklyn Bridge Under Construction (1877)

23. Tin Mine Winding Engine at East Pool Mine, England (1887)

24. Conclusions
Three major transformations led to new contexts  new world
Enlightenment: new view toward history and styles
The search for new form
Rationalism
Industrial revolution
Technology: Engineering
New materials
New clients

25. References
Curtis, W. (1987). Modern Architecture Since nd Ed. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall.
Frampton, K. (1987). Modern Architecture: A Critical History. London: Thames and Hudson.
Kruft, H. W. (1994). A History of Architectural Theory: from Vitruvious to the Present. New York: Princeton Architectural Press.