How Technology Has Impacted Modern Architecture as Illustrated in Mies Van Der Rohe Farnsworth House

Introduction

A major question in modern architecture is how technology plays into architectural form. Does technology validate a building as modern architecture? Can modern architecture exist without technology? My answer to both questions is no. This paper will analyze modern architecture and the role technology plays in creating it. Examining the Farnsworth House by Mies van der Rohe will help support my claim.

How Technology Has Impacted Modern Architecture as Illustrated in Mies Van Der Rohe's Farnsworth House

Architecture exists as a fingerprint of the society from which it grows. It is a physical, spatial, experiential interpretation of realities we've created around us. Technology is what our present world revolves around, so of course, it plays a prime role in modern architecture. However, the presence of technology does not render a structure as architecture until the form it creates has evolved past a mere physical entity into an experiential existence. The Farnsworth House is one of the purest forms of modern architecture I know today. The energy behind Mies van der Rohe's work is free from the restraints of a specific order, led only by structural clarity and simplicity. One of his most famous statements, "less is more," is fully realized in the Farnsworth House.

The House consists of parallel floor and ceiling planes measuring 29x77 feet, sandwiching a steel skeleton enclosed by a continuous glass-plane skin. This is levitated five feet above ground by eight face-mounted H-section columns extending to the roof edge. A smaller terrace plane is placed asymmetrically to the side. This levitates between the house floor and the ground via six H-section column stubs, two of which are shared with the house. The exterior floor planes are made of gravel-filled steel drain pans topped by open-jointed paving. Interior floor and roof are steel-framed. Welds are ground smooth and then painted white. Other than a free individually symmetrical structure placed just off-center, the interior plan is open, letting light travel completely through the structure.

A perfect balance of symmetry and asymmetry is created through these pieces. Ornamentation does not exist, as his goal is to emphasize architectonic qualities without the 'fluff'—no distractions. Every element of the structure is constructed to craftsman quality. Everything from the manufactured beams to the method of connecting the pieces is absolutely modern. The application of these simple modern construction methods allowed this architectural creation to exist. This is where technology evolved into architecture. The levitation, continuous planes of glass, and minimalist organization of the interior all contribute to a sense of weightlessness and connection to the surrounding nature. Each line and plane is created specifically for this piece of architecture. Having absolutely no formal relation to previously composed architectural orders and with its key focus toward spatial definition, abstraction, and proportions, the Farnsworth House is emphatically modern.

The Role of Technology in Modern Architectural Design

The Farnsworth House demonstrates the harmonization of form, function, and construction into a successful architectural existence. I often see buildings today whose design is blinded by practicality. Even while they incorporate very similar technologies, their design goes no further than filling a need for particular space, leaving the essence of architecture off the palette. Technology lets us build pretty much whatever we want; kind of like a synthesizer lets a musician create sounds that were never possible before. With that next level of construction in our reach, we've been able to achieve a new level of architectural experience and expression.

Conclusion

The Farnsworth House by Mies van der Rohe serves as a quintessential example of how technology impacts modern architecture. It proves that technology is not just a tool but a fundamental aspect of architectural expression, providing new possibilities and enriching the built environment. By embracing technology, modern architecture can transcend mere functionality to create spaces that are both innovative and profound.

References

• Colquhoun, A. (2002). Modern Architecture. Oxford University Press.
• Frampton, K. (1992). Modern Architecture: A Critical History. Thames & Hudson.
• Johnson, P. (1979). Mies van der Rohe. The Museum of Modern Art, New York.
• Lambert, P. (2001). Mies in America. Whitney Museum of American Art.