Contemporary Contemporary ArchitectureArchitecture

2008 STI2008 STIUniversity of MinnesotaUniversity of MinnesotaBill WaiteBill Waite

Start of Contemporary Start of Contemporary ArchitectureArchitecture

In 1796, Charles Bage In 1796, Charles Bage created a “fireproof created a “fireproof design” of cast iron and design” of cast iron and brick.brick.

The Crystal Palace by The Crystal Palace by Joseph Paxton 1851. Joseph Paxton 1851.

Criticism of Criticism of contemporary design contemporary design was common starting in was common starting in the 1960’s.the 1960’s.

Contemporary design is Contemporary design is more widely accepted more widely accepted today.today.

Number of Stories and Number of Stories and MaterialsMaterials

Materials typically include a variety of Materials typically include a variety of metal, glass, and stone.metal, glass, and stone.

Polymers and other “green” materials are Polymers and other “green” materials are being used.being used.

The majority of residential structures are The majority of residential structures are 1 to 3 stories.1 to 3 stories.

Industrial and commercial structures Industrial and commercial structures have a wide variety of levels.have a wide variety of levels.

CharacteristicsCharacteristics

An adoption of the An adoption of the machine/industrial machine/industrial aesthetics aesthetics

Rejection of Rejection of ornamentation ornamentation

Long straight linesLong straight lines

Principles of DesignPrinciples of Design

Transition- one material to another (metal Transition- one material to another (metal to glass)to glass)

Unity- repeating shapes and surfacesUnity- repeating shapes and surfaces Proportion- windows and beams can Proportion- windows and beams can

overpower the scale of other elementsoverpower the scale of other elements Emphasis and Subordination- focal Emphasis and Subordination- focal

points can vary from metal columns to points can vary from metal columns to large glass walls.large glass walls.

Contemporary Contemporary ResidentialResidential

Provide owners the Provide owners the chance to develop chance to develop unique structures.unique structures.

Opportunity to Opportunity to incorporate a wide incorporate a wide variety of shapes and variety of shapes and materials.materials.

Found most commonly Found most commonly on coastal areas, but on coastal areas, but may be currently found may be currently found in many regions.in many regions.

Where This Style is Where This Style is Found,Found,Not Just on the CoastsNot Just on the Coasts

- The expansion of the - The expansion of the Milwaukee Art Museum Milwaukee Art Museum

by Santiago Calatrava.by Santiago Calatrava. - The current expansion - The current expansion of the Art Institute of of the Art Institute of Chicago, designed by Chicago, designed by Renzo Piano.Renzo Piano. - The expansion of the - The expansion of the Walker Art Center in Walker Art Center in Minneapolis by Herzog Minneapolis by Herzog and de Meuron. and de Meuron.

Contemporary Architect Contemporary Architect

Charles-Édouard Charles-Édouard Jeanneret-GrisJeanneret-Gris, who , who chose to be known as chose to be known as Le Le CorbusierCorbusier ( (October 6October 6, , 18871887 – – August 27August 27, , 19651965), was a Swiss-born ), was a Swiss-born contemporary architect.contemporary architect.

Designed structures that Designed structures that reflected various stages reflected various stages in his life.in his life.