The Emergence of Modernism

The Emergence of Modernism began in 1900 and lasted about 50 years.  It was during this time that advances were made with structures such as skyscrapers, trains, photography, and movies.  Art Nouveau and the Prairie Style contributed to this Modernist movement.  With the machine as the source of inspiration many of the designs were beginning to look industrial, cold, and clean.  No ornamentation was included in these designs and most of the style was very functional.  Some of the most important pioneers during this time included Frank Lloyd Wright, Walter Gropius, Ludwig Mies Van Der Rone, and Le corbusier.

Frank Lloyd Wright was the 1st major modern architect in America and from this time.  He was born in Wisconsin and later went on to designing buildings all over the Chicago land area.  In addition to being an architect, Wright was also an interior designer, writer, and educator.  He designed over 1000 structures along with 532 works.  Frank Lloyd Wright worked under Adler and Sullivan for a while but left to start his own business in Oak Park, IL in 1893.  It was then that Wright began his new style of architecture which was called "Prairie Style".  He made sure that there was unity in his planning, materials, structure, and site.   The architecture was very organic and Wright made sure to consider the effect on man and the environment.  Some of Frank Lloyd Wright's more well known structures include The Robie House, The Winslow House, Unity Temple, The Rookery, and Falling Water.

Past

Present

Extra Credit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1MNySVj0S0