3 THE MASTERS OF MODERN ARCHITECTURE FROM 1900 TO 1970 Historical overview Many architectural historians see modern architecture as based mainly on and the of , such as iron, steel and glass, which led to the invention of new building techniques. Other historians consider modern architecture a of taste, a reaction against the eclecticism and stylistic excesses of the Victorian Age and Art Nouveau. technological and engineering developments availability new building materials matter The Big Five By the 1930s, the most important figures in modern architecture had established their reputations. The Big Five are commonly recognized as in the USA, and in Germany, in France and in Finland. Frank Lloyd Wright Walter Gropius Ludwig Mies van der Rohe Le Corbusier Alvar Aalto General characteristics Modern architecture is usually characterized by the principle that , by an emphasis of horizontal and vertical lines, the creation of ornament using the structure of the building, the simplification of form and elimination of unnecessary details and the concept that “ ”. The most commonly used materials were for the façade, for exterior support and for the floors and interior supports. materials and functional needs determine the result form follows function glass steel concrete The key event ‘ ’ is the title of an exhibition that took place in . The exhibition introduced an emerging architectural style characterized by simplified geometry and a of ornamentation, known as the . While this innovative style was never dominant in residential buildings, it became the only acceptable design solution in institutional and commercial architecture from 1932 to the mid-1970s. The style became most evident in the such as the and the , both in New York City. Modern Architecture: International Exhibition 1932 at the MoMA in New York City lack ‘International Style’ design of skyscrapers United Nations Headquarters 1 Seagram Building Organic architecture During the middle of the 20 century, some architects began experimenting in forms that harmonized with the natural landscape. Frank Lloyd Wright, , and were three of the most prolific and important architects and designers in this movement called . th organic Oscar Niemeyer 1 Alvar Aalto Eero Saarinen ‘Organic Modernism’ WARM UP Are there any buildings where you live that can be considered “modern”? What are its/their main characteristics? MORE The UN Headquarters is located in an international territory in Manhattan. It is 154 m. tall and was designed by the Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer and the Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier. 1 DO Surf the net to get more information about Oscar Niemeyer. 1