International Style

During the 1920's and 30's there was a movement in the architectural world to categorize what was known as the Modern Movement into a more concrete and encapsulating style. The process led to many spin offs of what we call Modern Architecture. I recently had the pleasure of renovating the bathroom in one such property and hence I thought I would share some pictures from the project, as well as learn a bit about the style in general.

International Architecture, since its inception after the First World War, sought to change what was deemed as architecture. The International style desired instead of continuing what was common practice, buildings made of square or rectangular rooms stacked on top of

one-another or beside each-other, to do away with Nationalism and class-driven affectations. They wanted architecture that reflected any person, and in every culture. This new architecture would be built on axes and flow, openings of space and ample light, all of course making full use of the natural land features. The movement was spearhead by architectural visionaries such as Le Corbusier, a trained Cubist painter, (see chapel at right), now famous, Frank Lloyd Wright (see home bellow), and an avid glass worker and architect Philip Johnson (see glass house).

From the minds of these forward thinkers, buildings began to be seen as volumes of space opening unto bright and modern urban spaces. International architecture was not simply a style but an agency in creating a new society.

International Style could be categorized as a philosophy of architecture, in that they have a set of core believes that dictate the intended aim of the final project. These tenets are (1) the expression of volume rather than mass, (2) balance rather than preconceived symmetry and (3) the dismissal of applied ornamentation. From these precepts a fury of beautiful homes and buildings were constructed, combinations of the traditional and International began sprouting and most relevant to our case regional variations came about. The home I was privileged to work on is Northwest International architecture.

Here are a few shots of the home.