For the United States the Twenties was a time to flourish and enjoy
the common wealth, but unlike everything else, architecture was in a
creative slump. many artists were having difficulty in depicting a
"style" for the new era. Many new technological advances were
occuring through the steel industry and the discovery of glass. The
architects of this period wanted to incorporate those advances in
their designs, thus bringing forth an experimental period. With
architects from different backgrounds and cultures working to produce
a masterpiece the International Style was created.
The International Style was the most common and wide-spread type of
architecture found in the twenties. This style dominated architecture
until about 1950. Buildings of this time were characterized as having
"...geometric shapes, white walls , and a flat roof with a garden,"
("Architecture ". World Book CD-ROM). They were constructed of
reinforced concrete (concrete with embedded metal rods to add
strength). Typical buildings had large windows, which created a
light, airy feeling and the exterior had little or no ornamentation.
("Architecture". World Book CD-ROM). Architects were able to
acheive the light airy feeling found in the buildings because of the
new inventions of industrial materials and the technical
advances.
The 1920's brought forth many new technological advances. Builders
could now use steel, iron, and glass. Alloys, or blended metals, were
discovered and produced, and the elevator was invented. These new
materials had great and long lasting influences on modern
architecture and are still used today. Architects were able to use
steel beams to reinforce concrete, allowing them to build taller
structures, known as skyscrappers. Elevators were installed to
replace stairs. A gradual modernization of technical systems took
place. Plumbing and heating/cooling systems were improved and the use
of electricity became more popular. ("Architecture". Grolier
CD-ROM). For the architects of the 1920's "climate could be
disregarded, for mechanical heating and cooling devices make a
building independent of its region...". (Hamlin, 633) Because of
these new advances architects were able to experiment with options
they were never given before.
Despite the difficulties and dry periods the archtects experienced in
the twenties, a new style was born. The International Style dominated
the field for many years. New technological advances such as glass,
air conditionioning, and the elevator were incorporated into the
design and structure of buildings, giving them a new look. The
Twenties were a difficult period for architects, but they managed to
find survival in an international way.
"Architecture." Groler Encyclopedia, CD-ROM. Grolier
Electronic Publishing INC., 1995.
"Architecture". World Book Multimedia Encyclopedia, CD-ROM.
World Book Inc. Chicago, IL., 1995.
Hamlin, Talbot. Architecture Through the Ages.. New York:
Putnam, 1953.
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