In celebration of design, we take a closer look at four of the most significant architectural achievements in modern history.
Fallingwater in Pennsylvania
Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1935 and built between 1936 to 1939, Fallingwater stretches out over a waterfall, seamlessly integrating itself into its surroundings. The owners, the Kaufmann family, lived in the city but loved to spend vacations in the mountains and enjoy the natural environment. When their old summer camp home at Bear Run proved to be too noisy and old, the family sought the help of Wright, who in turn designed the house in such a way that makes the nearby waterfall a part of the whole unit. As a result, only two colours were used on the structure: light ochre for the concrete and Cherokee red for the steel.
Photo from www.wright-house.com
Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao
Frank Gehry’s 1997 creation marries limestone, glass, and titanium into one harmonious and imposing entity in the middle of Spain’s fourth largest city. The structure captures both the identity of the Guggenheim museum and the vibe of the Basque country. Taking into consideration the city’s history of being a warehouse district, Gehry created a modern structure that interprets Bilbao’s industrial background. At the same time, the thin titanium tiles covering the exterior of the building comes from the architect’s childhood fascination with fish scales.
Photo from www.guggenheim-bilbao.es
Villa Savoye in Poissy
Built between 1928 and 1931, Villa Savoye is one of the most renowned structures of the International style. Le Corbusier and his cousin Pierre Jeanneret’s design combines aesthetic value with function, as it was made to look different from every side. The stilts holding up the house are meant to separate it form the earth. The dynamic transitions between floors is enforced through the spiral staircases and ramps, whilst the modular design extends even to the built-in furniture inside.
Photo from www.archikey.com
Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris
The concept for the Centre originated with former French President Georges Pompidou, who wanted to establish a cultural centre in Paris that will serve as an important marker of the city. Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers’ design eventually won the global competition that was held to find the right designers for the structure. The result is a bewildering interpretation of constructivism. The exterior leaves the inner infrastructure exposed, showing all the mechanical and structural systems. Inside, the Centre houses the Musée National d’Art Moderne and the Bibliothèque publique d’information.
Photo from www.paris.stouring.fr