Design Movements from 1920 to 1950
In this course we will learn about the design movements from 1920 to 1950 in between the World War I and World War II.
In this MOOC, we will try to understand the design movements from 1920 to 1950 in between the World War I and World War II.
Political Conditions from 1918 to 1945
The end of World War I saw the European nations exhausted, an entire generation of young men dead on the battlefield, and political conditions vastly changed from those before the war. The German, Austrian and Russian monarchies had been driven from power and replaced with democratic or revolutionary governments. It was against this background that the victorious powers attempted to bring permanent peace to Europe. The victors of the war were quick to blame Germany for starting the war and resolved to punish her, and this is exactly what took place at the Treaty of Versailles in 1919. The treaty was harsh on Germany mostly because France and Italy were angry with them.
Britain
After World War I, Britain faced several problems. One of the most serious was unemployment, with approximately 2 million people. This resulted in the rise of the Labour party. The Labour party created a modern welfare state in Britain, creating an old-age pension, medical care, public housing, and unemployment relief. The British industries, now antiquated and falling behind, were selling less as the United States stepped up to the industrial plate. Finally, the Great Depression caused massive problems in Britain.
Causes of the Great Depression
The Great Depression occurred because of several reasons. Low wages at the time resulted in less purchasing power. An agricultural depression and falling prices resulted in increased agricultural output but decreased demand. Overproduction in the factories, and over-expansion of credit, as well as the U.S. stock market crash of 1929 also contributed greatly.
It was around 1920’s, after the first world war, Modernism started taking roots.
Beginnings: 1920’s Modern Movement Architecture
Modernism was in its infancy in the 1920s. Ideas about the role of architecture and the architect were being expressed by its pioneers, Walter Gropius and Le Corbusier. Their focus in the early years was on sleek lines, simple shapes and experiments with materials (i.e. reinforced concrete) and methods of construction (curtain walling).
Although such experiments were carried out before the First World War their impact was taken up more fully after 1918. Both Le Corbusier and Gropius publish manifestos on architecture, encapsulating ideas of modern construction (i.e. standardisation and mass production) and socially orientated architecture which could apply to all. This was particularly relevant after the First World War, as there was a shortage of housing across Europe. In Germany and Holland, new housing estates were built along Modernist lines.
Spreading the Word: 1930’s Modern Movement Architecture
From the late 1920s to the early-mid 1930s English translations appear of key texts by these two architects. ((Le Corbusier Towards a New Architecture (1927) and Walter Gropius (The New Architecture and the Bauhaus (1935)). European architects fleeing Nazi persecution came to England and put their Modernist ideas into practice and Modernist ideas were fed into the architecture schools. At the Architectural Association, for example, young Denys Lasdun is studying and later designs 32 Newton Road. Berthold Lubetk also comes to London from Paris and sets up his architectural practice Tecton and designs Highpoint. The Canadian architect Wells Coates designs the Isolkon flats in Hampstead and America Rudolf Schindler (originally from Austria) designs a modernist beach house in California.
Acceptance: 1940’s Modern Movement Architecture
During the 1940s simple forms and new methods of construction were ideally suited to wartime conditions, producing highly practical buildings, air hangers, bus stations, etc. Gropius’s ideas on standardisation included prefabrication were remarkably revelatory; as such techniques became widespread after the Second World War.
Establishment: 1950’s Modern Movement Architecture
By the beginning of the 1950s, Modernism had become the style associated with the twentieth century and used in all manner of buildings.
Be the first to add a review.
