Gaudi's Curved Curb Appeal
pedrera/pictures_Mila_540x405_Mila.jpg&w=540&h=405&ei=T35yT6X7GYrLgQeSwqBp&zoom=
1&iact=hc&vpx=555&vpy=244&dur=722&hovh=194&hovw=259&tx=161&ty=105&sig=1002457435
71181786446&page=1&tbnh=151&tbnw=212&start=0&ndsp=10&ved=1t:429,r:7,s:0
"As they studied Greek, Roman, and Gothic architecture, they came to understand by the end of the nineteenth century that these ways of building had begun first as vernacular expressions, which had then been clarified and stylized, becoming cultural expressions rich in meaning." (Roth p 511)
It has been pointed out (through our teacher) that great nations stand on their architecture.
- During the turn of the century, design styles were growing from the conception of older norms.
- One architect that stood out greatly during this time was Antoni Gaudi who lived from 1852 to 1956.
- He developed an architectural style in Barcelona through the use of molded forms on curved structural walls and thin masonry vaults.
(This image was found: http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&sa=X&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&biw=1366&bih=557&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=q3cWjGLe5rM4lM:&imgrefurl
=http://www.earchitect.co.uk/barcelona/casa_mila_la_pedrera.htm&docid=A2Kr8Zx9VY5gYM&im
gurl=http://www.earchitect.co.uk/images/jpgs/barcelona/casa_mila_gaudi_7.jpg&w=700&h=560&ei=
T35yT6X7GYrLgQeSwqBp&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=373&sig=100245743571181786446&page=
2&tbnh=160&tbnw=195&start=10&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:10&tx=111&ty=85
"Gaudi created an architecture rooted in Catalonia's Moorish and medieval past --as architecture ablaze with colored tile, exploiting the thin, curved, tile vault constructeion for which Catalonia has long been famous." (Roth p 513)
- This particular style of fitting forms on the facade borrowed heavily from that of the Moorish tradition with ceramic tiles.
- But Gaudi did not simply borrow from this source, he also borrowed heavily from nature.
- he observed the natural world around him and used these close observations to implement natural styles in his design.
(This picture was found at: http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&sa=X&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&biw=1366&bih=557&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=koHuE7OY54IpiM:&imgrefurl=http://
chonav.wordpress.com/2010/07/19/why-i-fell-inwithbarcelona/&docid=xCt9myv2WeTKoM&imgurl=http://chonav.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/casa_
mila_03.jpg&w=1024&h=768&ei=T35yT6X7GYrLgQeSwqBp&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=343&vpy=245&du
r=1763&hovh=194&hovw=259&tx=164&ty=139&sig=100245743571181786446&page=4&tbnh=155&tbnw=
215&start=41&ndsp=16&ved=1t:429,r:12,s:41
"Gaudi's fusion of organic naturalism and the structural logic of curved vaults is demonstrated in the large apartment block, the Casa Mila, he designed for Dona Rosario Mila on the Paseo de Gracia, Barcelona, 1905-1910." (Roth p 513)
- Gaudi planned the structure with the idea of a plan stem and cliffside as his inspiration.
- The curvature of the exterior walls are meant to mimic the weathered sea cliffs outside of Barcelona, with details like wrought iron balustrades imitating tangled kelp seaweed.
- Around the interior courtyards, he designed walls that liken a plant's vascular network.
This may have been the case back then, but all over the world, designers and architects have been and are designing more organic and natural looking structures. The idea being to blend into the surroundings better, and this should be gaining more and more exposure in the coming years as well, as we continue to make transitions into not only environmentally sound structures, but more environmentally aesthetic structures.
*Roth, Leland M.. Understanding Architecture: Its Elements, History and Meaning. New York, NY: Icon Editions, 1993. Print.
GREAT JOB! I love Gaudi. . . what do you think the people in the surrounding buildings thought at the time that he made these architectural statements?
ReplyDelete