Modern Architecture’s Ideological Basis

The early 1900s in Western society saw a transition into a concept of thinking and methods of

living enabled by a progressive period of industrialization. The transitional period towards

Modernism emphasizes freedom of expression and social purpose for individuals, which

translates into equally expressive and individualistic architecture. These shifting beliefs were

reflected in architecture, in buildings such as the Winslow House (1893) by Frank Lloyd Wright,

the Glasgow School (1905) by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, and the Post Savings Bank(1904) by

Otto Wagner.

The Winslow House (1893)

The design of the Winslow House (1893) by Frank Lloyd Wright reflects the egalitarian culture

of a modernized society. The house is designed as a space for an ordinary family rather than for

the state or religious organizations. The purpose of construction reflects the rise of the middle

class, wealth rise, and a desire for architectural expressiveness and individual tastes within

personal living spaces. For the design of the house, Wright drew influence from Japanese

architecture, which he witnessed firsthand at the reconstruction of the Ho-o-den Temple by the

Japanese government at the Chicago World's Columbian Exposition of 1983 (Frampton 58).

Wright took the concept of the tokonoma, a central ceremonial space, and reflected it into the

fireplace's design as the home's ceremonial core. The fireplace became the core of a constantly

changing space, where screens, instead of partitions, were used to accommodate the living

spaces for multi-purpose use (Frampton 59). The use of screens and the design of the space to

be fluid allows for freedom in the use of the space, whether it be leisure activities or
entertainment, creating a space that allows for the individualistic expression of the family living

there. Additionally, Wright's decision to design with flat surfaces and unpainted wood, leaving

out excess ornamentation such as varnish and sculptured wood, emphasizes the space to focus

on human use rather than imparting outdated traditions or Classical values (Frampton 59). In

the Winslow House, values of individualism and freedom of expression are reflected in

everyday living spaces that can be adjusted to the user's needs and designed without

ornamentation so that the individual may bring their values and ideas to personalize their

spaces. The transition to Modernism also entails the individual's freedom to think non-

traditionally, learning from the values of cultures outside one's nation, which we see in the

Japanese architectural tendencies that influenced the house's layout.

The Glasgow School (1905)

Another architectural example that reflects the individual's experience and freedom of

expression is the Glasgow School (1905) by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. The structure's purpose

is relatable as an art school for the general populace. Mackintosh drew influence from John

Ruskin and gothic revivalism, which focused on design relatable to the everyday person in its

simplicity. With rational design decisions that supported simplistic architectural expressions and

without the need for traditional, excessive ornamentation (Nay).

The school's design is relatable to the typical individual in its simplistic design. Materials of

steel, glass, and stone used to construct the building are primarily industrial (Frampton 74).

Industrial materials relate to the working middle class, or "common man," many of whom

worked in the industrial economy during this period (Nay). Additionally, the structure reflects

Mackintosh's individualistic desire to express volumes of space. He does this through the
relationship between structure and light. Mackintosh designed the west façade of the school to

feature gridded, vertical oriel windows that expressively allow light to fill the volume of the

library space (Frampton 75). This design reflects a rational consideration of the individuals using

the space, for example, a student's experience walking the school's library and their visual

perception of the space. The Glasgow School reflects modernist values of rationality concerning

human use of buildings while also being a medium for the individualistic expression of the

architect.

Post Savings Bank (1904)

Lastly, Otto Wagner's design of the Post Savings Bank (1904) in Vienna is an example of

rational, simplistic architecture designed for the common folk. The structure is constructed with

progressive modern industrial materials of steel and glass that reflect the products of the

industrial economy that the bank's patrons may have worked within. The design of the bank is

directly influenced by the ordinary men and women who would use the bank, with a simple,

structured layout that is easy for anyone new or revisiting patron to navigate, with the rise in

new wealth of the middle class (Merrill). The building is designed to be an open space with

high, curved glass ceilings allowing for natural light to fill the space (Frampton 83). This design

considers the individual's experience within the space, creating a more comfortable and

welcoming environment. The lack of ornamentation and honesty in decoration, such as the

exposed bolts and aluminum caps, reflects the transition from traditional cultural and social

values (Nay). The exposure of structural elements allows Wagner to contribute expressiveness

within the design, but with the rationale that this expressiveness was meant to serve the
present realities of the space. The Post Savings Bank exemplifies expressive design filtered

through rational consideration for human use, enabled by new industrial materials.

The early 1900s marked a transition towards Modernism, emphasizing freedom of

expression and social purpose for individuals. This shift in thinking was reflected in the Winslow

House (1893) by Frank Lloyd Wright, the Glasgow School (1905) by Charles Rennie Mackintosh,

and the Post Savings Bank (1904) by Otto Wagner. These buildings reject ornamentation and

traditional cultural and social values dictated by state and religion. Instead, transitional

modernist structures reflect modern values of individualism and freedom in expression and

social purpose. The architecture of this time captures this revolutionary period of

empowerment of individuals within the growing middle class.

Bibliography

Frampton, Kenneth. Modern Architecture. A Critical History. Third ed., Thames & Hudson Ltd,
2000.

Nay, Eric. “Modernism’s Origins.” Sept 14, 2022, OCAD University, Toronto. Class lecture.

Nay, Eric. “Materials & Crat.” Sept 21, 2022, OCAD University, Toronto. Class lecture.
Merrill, Dr. Elizabeth M. “Otto Wagner, Postal Savings Bank.” Smarthistory,
https://smarthistory.org/otto-wagner-postal-savings-bank/.