The development of the use of reinforced concrete in Modernism and its expression Essay

The development of modernism art and architecture in the late 19th – early 20th century had a considerable impact on the development of art and architecture in the 20th century. At the same time, the rise of modernism was accompanied by the emergence of diverse movements within modernism, which brought in new trends in the development of the modernist art and architecture. In this respect, it is possible to refer to the development of architecture, where the influence of modernism was particularly strong. At this point, it is possible to single out reinforced concrete in modernism as one of the mainstream trends in the development of the architecture of the 20th century. In fact, the development of the reinforced concrete in modernism allowed constructing principally new buildings, including skyscrapers. The emergence of reinforced concrete in modernism opened the way to the new era of huge buildings and skyscrapers which were solid and reliable that made them very convenient for people. In such a context, the development of reinforced concrete in modernism defined, to a significant extent, the development of architecture in the 20th century but, by the end of the century, reinforced concrete in modernism as well as modernism at large faced its decline, while postmodernist trends has started to emerge instead but they still had their roots in modernism, including reinforced concrete in modernism.
The origin and history of reinforced concrete in modernism
In fact, the rise of reinforced concrete in modernism dates back to the late 19th century modernism, when modernism had just started to appear as a new movement in art and architecture. Roots of reinforced concrete in modernism originate from the modernist movements of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In this respect, specialists distinguish two main tenets of modernism were that of ‘form follows function’, also described as functionalism, and rationalism, the expression of a steel or concrete structure in a building’s outward form.
In fact, functionalism and rationalism became the two mainstream trends in the development of reinforced concrete in modernism. To put it more precisely, reinforced concrete in modernism focused on the functionality of buildings to maximize the conveniences for people living or working in the buildings. The buildings constructed in tFhe style of reinforced concrete in modernism provided numerous conveniences to people but they were not posh buildings as buildings of the classical style for instance. In stark contrast, they were constructed to perform specific functions to make them convenient to use by people. In such a way, the functionality were prior to aesthetic beauty of buildings constructed in the new style of reinforced concrete in modernism.
At the same time, rationality is another remarkable feature of reinforced concrete in modernism. To put it more precisely, reinforced concrete in modernism was characterized by the high degree of rationalism which manifested itself through the use of materials, which were relatively cheap and solid. In such a way, architects had managed to reach the high degree of reliability of buildings constructed in reinforced concrete in modernism. On the other hand, the relatively low costs of construction of tall and huge buildings attracted not only architects but also customers to this style in the 20th century architecture. Steadily, the functionality and rationalism became the dominant trends in the modernism and modernist architecture. In such a way, the development of new trends in the modernism contributed to the rise of reinforced concrete in modernism as the mainstream trend in architecture.
In fact, the rise of reinforced concrete in modernism reinforced concrete in modernism had changed the traditional architecture consistently. At this point, specialists argue that by 1910, a six-storey office block had been created in Leeds using reinforced concrete, whilst other large buildings began to employ fan-forced ventilation. At this point, it is worth mentioning the fact that many buildings constructed in reinforced concrete in modernism comprised glass and steel mainly, such as the Fagus Factory by Walter Gropius, construction of which began in 1911, the same year in which reinforced concrete was used by Loos at Vienna to create The Steinerhaus. In such a way, architects had managed to decrease costs of construction and made the construction reliable and solid. As a result, buildings became more functional because they were larger and more solid than their predecessors. Naturally, the functionality and rationalism made reinforced concrete in modernism one of the mainstream trends in the development of the 20th century architecture.
In such a way, the early 20th century faced the first manifestations of reinforced concrete in modernism. Buildings constructed in the new style of reinforced concrete in modernism were quite different from traditional buildings because they were consistently larger and taller and they had a solid and concrete structure and form. They looked like and actually were solid buildings constructed on the ground of reinforced concrete style in modernism. At this point, it is worth mentioning the fact that the rise of reinforced concrete in modernism was closely intertwined with works created by Corbusier. To put it more precisely, Corbusier was one of the major contributors to the development of modernism and reinforced concrete in modernism in particular.
Specialists place emphasis on the fact that Corbusier built houses in Paris of concrete beams, with exposed brick for the internal walls, the latter perverse in a modernist building, although relatively cheap. In actuality, it is possible to trace the development of reinforced concrete in modernism throughout the 20th century from the beginning till the late 20th century. The rise of reinforced concrete in modernism is traditionally associated with the 1910s – 1920s.
Features of reinforced concrete in modernism
In this regard, the development of reinforced concrete in modernism was characterized by specific features, which made reinforced concrete in modernism distinct from other trends in modernism and early 20th century architecture. At this point, it is possible to refer to Modernism Five points of architecture defined by Le Corbusier, which can be clearly traced in his works as well as in works created by other architects, who were devoted to reinforced concrete in modernism.
First of all, one of the major features of reinforced concrete in modernism is the pilotis, or ground-level supporting columns, elevate the building from the damp earth and allow the garden to flow beneath. Another remarkable feature of reinforced concrete in modernism is a flat roof terrace reclaims the area of the building site for domestic purposes, including a garden area. As a rule, buildings constructed in reinforced concrete in modernism style had such roofs and were quite widely-spread. The third feature of reinforced concrete in modernism is the free plan, made possible by the elimination of load-bearing walls, consists of partitions placed where they are needed without regard for those on adjoining levels.
Furthermore, horizontal windows provide even illumination and ventilation. Horizontal windows were accompanied by the freely-designed facade, unconstrained by load-bearing considerations, consists of a thin skin of wall and windows. In this regard, it is important to point out that the development of reinforced concrete in modernism became the characteristics of modernism and architecture of the 20th century.
Improvements in reinforced concrete in modernism
In the course of the 20th century, reinforced concrete in modernism kept progressing. In fact, buildings constructed in reinforced concrete in modernism were built in the pragmatic and practical style. Reinforced concrete in modernism focused on the introduction of innovations that matched the needs of the architecture and provided architects with practical tools to make their buildings more efficient and practical aspects of the buildings. In this regard, it is important to place emphasis on the fact that reinforced concrete in modernism used new materials which were safer, more reliable and cheaper compared to conventional materials. The scientific progress contributed to the wider introduction of new materials in terms of reinforced concrete in modernism because this style focused on the rationality and functionality of buildings.
Examples of reinforced concrete in modernism
At this point, it is possible to refer to some examples of reinforced concrete in modernist buildings. Modernism Villa Savoye Le Corbusier. This was one of the earliest examples of reinforced concrete in modernist buildings constructed in the early 20th century. However, the style used by Corbusier has proved to be very efficient and attracted the attention of professional architects as well as the public. In fact, in the course of time, the advantages of reinforced concrete in modernism compared to traditional styles in architecture became obvious and reinforced concrete in modernism emerged as the mainstream style in the 20th century architecture. At any rate, this style was economically profitable for constructors and developers and allowed cities to keep growing fast. In such a way, reinforced concrete in modernism became the mainstream trend in the development of the 20th century architecture and affected consistently the development of architecture not only in the 20th century but also in the 21st one. In such a way, the development of the architecture in the 20th century affected consistently the modernist style.
Furthermore, it is possible to refer to One Peachtree Center in Atlanta is an example of a concrete bundled tube design. Similarly, the One Magnificent Mile building in Chicago is another example. In fact, these buildings were different from the development of other styles in modernist architecture.
At the same time, reinforced concrete in modernism was characterized by the solidity of the construction and unity of forms of buildings. At this point, it is possible to refer to one of the experts in reinforced concrete in modernism, who argued that
“The structure is a concrete box of 8″ walls, with concrete floors and roof, concrete beams, concrete columns, concrete stairs–no steel. It consists merely of bars embedded in concrete, with the ends interlaced, making actually a complete concrete monolith of the entire building, covered on the exterior with a veneer from four to six inches thick of white marble for the lower three stories, glazed gray brick for the next eleven, and glazed white terra cotta for the top story and cornice . . . There are no shrinkage cracks and the building (has sustained) the highest winds, there is not even a perceptible tremor, and that too with concrete walls only eight inches thick in unbroken slabs sixteen feet square, a portion of which on the second floor carries a bank vault weighing nearly a hundred tons.”
However, the late 20th century was characterized by the steady decline, which was the result of the general decline of modernism. In fact, the late 20th century marked the end of the era of modernism. Instead, postmodernism has started to emerge. However, the architecture of postmodernist architecture incorporated many elements of reinforced concrete in modernism.
Conclusion
Thus, taking into account all above mentioned, it is important to place emphasis on the fact that the development of reinforced concrete in modernism marked the totally new trend in the development of architecture in the early 20th century. The emergence of reinforced concrete in modernism contributed to the appearance of large and tall buildings, which were quite different from conventional buildings. Buildings constructed in terms of the reinforced concrete in modernism were solid and consistently taller compared to conventional buildings. In addition, reinforced concrete in modernism was characterized by the unity of forms and practical orientation of buildings. What is meant here is the fact that the main point of constructing buildings in reinforced concrete in modernist style was to meet practical needs of people and to make buildings convenient for work and life.