1.

Differentiate the design philosophies of the modern architects

Louis Sullivan
Louis Sullivan is well-known for his principle in design, “form
follows function”. He believed that beauty and functionality of design
should always go together. He had a love for nature and reverence for
the beauty of the natural world which was reflected in his works. He
dismissed traditional boundaries in architecture and wanted to create
a unique American style. His signature exquisite and elaborate
ornamentation does not rely on a pattern. It is a combination of simple
geometric shapes and is organic nature inspired which gives off an
overall unique design. Together with Adler, they showcased modern
functionality and ornate decoration in their works. He wanted to
illustrate endless possibilities of simple designs. He refused to change
his techniques so that his designs would sell. He believed that when
an artist did not limit himself to imitations of other art forms, unimaginable originality and beauty
would be produced.
Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright worked under Louis Sullivan that left
an impression on him. He believed in free architecture. An
architecture that belonged where you see it standing and was a
grace to the landscape instead of a disgrace. His personal creed
based on hard work, love of nature and fierce independent of
thought. He practiced Unitarianism and he drew inspiration from
this freethinking spirituality that sees God in everything and of
the magnificence of nature. His earlier designs were of massive
symmetry and classical yet stylized. He utilized open plan spaces
before they even existed. His designs eventually became more
daring. Pointed roofs flattened out and windows widened. Cellars
and attics vanished. Houses spread out low to the ground. The
houses with these designs were called Prairie Houses. Curtains, blinds, paintings, and ornaments
were eliminated. His philosophy was that architecture and nature should coexist. He believed
that the house and the hill improve each other to become a unity. With this belief, he later
developed organic architecture. Organic architecture is not only the use of organic materials and
blending of a building into a landscape, it should show how we should live, in sympathy with
nature.
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe revolutionized city
skylines with his signature steel and glass structures. He
had no formal training in architecture. His work
epitomized the International style. His famous principle
was “less is more” and is known for his minimalist design.
He believed buildings should convey the essence of the
time it was built in. He was not interested in previous
civilization but the current one that he was living in. He
believed detailing was key to the quality of a design. His
work exudes clarity, simplicity and honesty. He did not hide
structural elements and called his buildings ‘skin and
bones’.

Le Corbusier
Charles Edouard Jeanneret-Gris
commonly known as Le Corbusier is the greatest
architect of the modern period. He advocated the
idea that architectural design should be separate
from historical references and associations. He
believes that the only focus must be on creating a
machine to live in. Thus, he created a solution for
making buildings out of a series of standardized
elements which could be combined in different
ways. The basis was a concrete framework. He
also introduced urban planning theories posing
that different functions of a city should be
separated from one another. He introduced his
own “Five Points of Architecture”. First of these
points is to lift he building over pilotis or concrete stilts to allow green continuity. Next is free
floor plans, that is flexible and could adapt to changing lifestyles. Another is free façades, where
the structure is seperated from it and it is without structural function. Horizontal windows, also
one of these points, allow a room to be lit equally. Lastly, roof gardens were also advocated by
him. This allows a building to give back the space it takes up on the ground.
REFERENCES:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ia4WG7TSkew
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1O7ax1KhJNM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9DsUHAuva8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRsbG1clo0c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTd786vh_Kg
https://architizer.com/blog/inspiration/collections/corbusier-videos/
https://www.engelvoelkers.com/en/blog/luxury-living/architecture/le-corbusiers-style-and-
design-philosophy/
http://www.architecture.org/learn/resources/architecture-dictionary/entry/ludwig-mies-van-
der-rohe/