paul nguyen annotated bibliography task 2 a

8/17/2019 Paul Nguyen Annotated Bibliography Task 2 A

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DDD10001 Major Research Assignment – Part 1

ARTICLE PLAN

Student Name: Paul Nguyen 101093315

Option: 1 Modernism, modernisation & modernity in Australia.

Title: Modernisation of Australian Architecture during the interwar period.

Key Concepts:

General layout.

Analysis of the transition of early victorian architecture.

To the early 1900s

What type of architecture was around.

Australia’s response to the post world war & the great depression

What the time was like and how architecture reacted.

Then to the 1920sHow the architectural clmiate was like.

What type of buildings were popping up

Where did the styles come from. What type of influnences.

What type of styles where especially prominent.

Then to the 1930s

How archtecture was

What type of buildings were present.

Then to what became after the the 1930s

What type of buidlings arose.

What became of the architecture in melbourne.


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Ideas for layout and presentation: (primary resources of interest, scans of text or images/layout examples etc)

Week 5: Defintions.

Art Deco on the other hand was fashionable, popular and widely understood by the public almost everywhere. ‘Moderne’ refers to design that had some modern

qualities, modern materials, a lack of ornament, but was either too luxurious and expensive to fit with Modernist theories or modern in materials and function, but

retaining elements of expressiveness that didn’t conform to modernist ideas.

r. In turn American production designers in the film industry used Art Deco style to create a sense of modern luxury that in turn spread out across the world to

influence consumer goods and communications of all kinds.

Art Deco became the language of cosmopolitan modernity during the inter war period. Cosmopolitan metropolises developed lively consumer cultures, a vibrant

nightlife and a sophisticated film industry with the assistance of advertising and magazines. Art Deco introduced a language of modern progress and

consumption. It promoted ideas of leisure – the cinema and fashion and the modern woman.

Australian design of the inter-war period was affected by the seesawing economy that lurched from booms to busts. Because Australia had a small population

(only 6 million in 1936), a huge foreign debt from World War II and few exports apart from farm products, our economy became destabilised. After the Wall Street

crash of 1929, Australia followed the United States and much of the developed world into the Depression. In the boom times of the 1920s confidence led toextravagance and the adoption of Art Deco. On the other hand, hard times led to the acceptance of modernism and sober moderne design. In Australia in the

1930s we see more austere design. The Australian economy was badly hit by the Depression. The government was slow to act and put off devaluing the

Australian pound. Workers were laid off and unemployment dropped in 1930 and continued falling until 1932-33 when it reached 30%. Since there were no

unemployment benefits, people relied on charity and then small government hand-outs. There was widespread poverty, homelessness, and malnutrition. Above:

Australian modernism, the Great Depression and social reform: Housing Investigation and Slum Abolition Board photographs.

Many young Australian architects travelled to Britain and Europe and after graduating in the 1920s and 1930s. Many of them worked for a while in England and

some went to the United States for industry experience. After Hitler rose to power in 1932, many avoided Germany and explored Czechoslovakia, Scandinavia

and the Netherlands. Of those who went to Europe many visited the Netherlands to see the work of Willem Dudok, in particular his town hall complex at

Hilversum. Dudok wasn’t closely associated with Mondrian, van Doesburg, Vantongerloo and Rietveldt (the artists and designers associated with De Stijl), but he

explored Modernist ideas and usefully for Melbourne architects, was accomplished in designing for brick – the common material of this city.

Moderne refers to a design that had some modern qualities, it might have used modern materials, it might have displayed a lack of ornament or decoration,

but it was either too luxurious and expensive to fit with modernist theories of social good, efficient production or it might have been modern in materials and

function, but retaining elements of expressiveness and historicism that didn’t conform to modernist ideas.


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Moderne comprised different styles and looks, the most influential of which was Art Deco. Art Deco emerged as a design movement of considerable force in

1925 with the Exposition of Modern Decorative Arts in Paris - the intention of which was to establish French leadership in producing luxury goods (decorative

arts) and in matters of style, fashion and taste.

Art Deco was a decorative arts movement that began as a luxury craft-based style before spreading to the US and across the world as a popular mass-market

style, appearing in places as diverse as Shanghai and Melbourne. Art Deco was not avant-garde nor ideological; it was fashionable, popular and widelyunderstood by the public throughout the world. It was moderne rather than modernist, and concerned with style, look, individualism, commercialism and

conspicuous display/consumption. It was the language of mainstream popular fashion - cinemas, shops, graphics, jewellery, fashion and ornaments. Art Deco

became the language of film and media, fashion and consumerism and in this it encapsulates moderne. In stark contrast to modernism it was utopian,

historicist, eclectic, decorative, commercial.

fter World War I there was considerable excitement with the idea of modern progress - especially industrial - and the process of modernisation that was

changing the world, making it modern, urban and cosmopolitan. Some artists, writers, architects, designers and filmmakers were enthusiastic about the

changes and took an ideological avant-garde position to drive change. As modernists they were futuristic; arguing that design should express the spirit of the

era, and they embraced the idea of a utopian machine-age future and of design as instrumental in constructing it.

They sought new materials, new technology and new approaches to designing new kinds of commodities, spaces and communications.

They rejected the past, arguing that design should capture the spirit of the time - in this way they were anti-historicist.

Some of the avant-garde modernist design movements such as De Stijl in the Netherlands and the Bauhaus in Germany were little known by ordinary people at

the time. These movements were highly intellectual responses to modern times and to the rebuilding after World War I. European modernist designers

included Le Corbusier, Eileen Gray, Sonia Delaunay, the Bauhaus and De Stijl.


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Paragraph

Heading

Main idea/ideas Suggested Examples Suggested Illustrations/Images

INTRODUCTION The Inter War Period of 1919 to 1939 of Australia,

although at times dark was an exciting period for

Australian architecture. The period saw pivotal moments

in Australian history such as the Federation, Great

Depression and World War One. It is through thesemoments that Australia came to yearn for a progressive

and positive outlook on life. It was then that modernism

came into hand and provided a means to a fresh start.

With the arrival of the industrial age came a rush of

technology and materials, and so the architectural

landscape began to transform once again. Modernism

was seen as the new so called "big city"way of life and as

a result began to shape the forms of buildings within

Melbourne. Influences from Europe and America began to

sail across the seas within the minds of both Australians

from abroad and foreign architects. The Inter War was an

exciting time that allowed for the development of

modernism within Melbourne. With a hopes of a fresh

start, Australian architecture had been waiting for a time

with such opportunities to grow.

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Paragraph 2:

The Time It

Was

● This paragraph provides the context of the time.● The Great Depression.

● The Federation.

● In the wake of the federation, Australia was then

encouraged to find its own architectural style and so

flora and Fauna were largely used for decoration.


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● Furthemore architects attempted to design in context

to the climate.

● Post-war period and how it affected the Australian

economy.

Paragraph 3:

1900s Initial Architecture

● Beach house.

● Edwardian houses otherwise known as federation

houses drew inspiration from both Victorian & Queen

Anne houses. Terracotta roofs half timbered gables,

casement windows and interspersing of brick and

stucco.

● The general layout of the house was very similar to

that of victorian houses. Although ornamentation was

broadly used, it was nothing compared to its previous

years.

● Queen Anne. one example.

● Neo gothic type architecture. Old arts building.

University of Melbourne Old Arts

Building. Example of neo-gothic

Architecture.

Federation house in Cairns ,

Sam Hood (1872-1953), Family withcar & Queenslander house , 1920's.

Fig 1: Queenslander house.

Fig 2: Old Arts

Fig 3; Federation house.


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Paragraph 4:

Technology and

Materials of thetime.

● Steel

● Concrete

● Glass

● Freeing the architect from previous physical

limitations.

Paragraph 5:

1920s

● Discussion of the lack of development due to the

losses of the first world war.

● Capitol house & theatre

● Lack of ornamentation, exterior.

● Breakthrough building with interiors that have not

been art-deco style.

● Use of technology steel & concrete. and lighting

colored lighting

● Bungalow houses began to pop up arrive. of

californian influence with the arts & crafts movement

of the time, was simple house. Influence came from

the influence of American lifestyle. Easy to build as

the houses were very simple. increased use of

verandahs & open houses to express the relaxed

style. single storey and based on the hall way.

sweeping roof lines. and the provision of sleepouts

for hot summer nights.

● Capitol house & theatre

Fig 4. Capitol House.

Paragraph 6 ● Europe & America

● Willem Dudoks

● Gropius Influence.

● Australians abroad.


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Where did the

influences come

from?

● Migration

Paragraph 7

1930s

● Modernist elements were being adopted during the

time.

● Streamlined cornices, stepped chimneys, steel

framed windows.● Principles of Modernism. Highlight each and analyze

buildings

● Functionalism

● Mention of Willem Dudoks

Mercy Hospital.

Functionalism

Manchester unity buildingThe exterior facade is clad in

biscuit coloured terra cotta faience.

The faience is intricately moulded

to produce

continuous narrow columns and

shafts rising up the facade,

serving to emphasise the verticality

of the building.

Neo- Gothic architecture

The Manchester Unity Building is

aesthetically significant for its intact Art Deco interiors.

The intricate plaster panel cornices

and ceilings,

the use of marble, and the inlays to

the lift cars and

sliced timber veneers in the

boardroom all display a high

standard of artistic workmanship

that is without par for a

building of this period.

Macrobertson highschool.

Served as a new home for the

Melbourne Girls' High School,

later named in the honour of Sir

Macpherson.

Fig 5. MacRobertson High School

Fig 6. Mercy Hopsital


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Norman Seabrook which took

influence from britain..

recent work abroad. Worked under

dutch architect

Willem Dudok.

The building served as an

influencial introduction ofmodernism. representing the

acceptance of modernism

also included well designed

building layout with sectioning

The planning of the school was

refined in terms of its

conceptual clarity, its traffic

efficiency, and the skillful

zoning of the various activities

within the school,and established a new standard to

be emulated in the many

schools produced in the following

decades.

Significant in the sense, first

introductions of cream

brick de-stijl Architecture of Dutch

modernist

Wilhem Marinus.

Flat roofed, cream brick Design,with steel frames,

windows painted vermillion and

glazed blue sill bricks and its

composition that relied on

arrangements of interlocking

Fig 7. Manchester Unity


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form inspired by the dudocks

Hilversum town hall

of the late 1920s.

Paragraph 8Post War 1950s ● What occurred after the inter war period?●

●

●

●

Example . Wilson Hall.Square cuboid structure, shows

influences of modernism.

Simple structure. Utilizes steel

frames with brick in fills

Functionalism.

heat absorbing glass.

danish Danish architect Arne

Jacobsen’s influence.

Fig 8. Wilson Hall

CONCLUSION ● Summary of Changes from the 1900s style houses

● Discussing how the changes occurred.

● What type of changes occurred.

● How did the australian public respond?

●


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ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

Articles (minimum 2)

Johnson, P. (2012) Nationally significant 20th-century architecture Seabrook and Fildes . Available at:

http://www.architecture.com.au/docs/default-source/vic-notable-buildings/mac-robertson-girls-high-school.pdf?sfvrsn=0 (Accessed: 1 May 2016).

This article provides the architectural history of the Macrobertsons high school that was built during the 1930s. It describes how modernism was graduallybeing accepted into society and how it was first building to do such thing. In addition, the article also gives insight how functionalism was being

incorporated into design, through aspects such a building layout. Zoning efficiency and traffic layout. Most importantly, the article also mentions of the

influence of the Dutch architect Willem Dudok. This is particularly significant as it further hints at how Australia came to be influenced by modernism.

Stephenson & Meldrum (2012) Nationally significant 20th-century architecture. Available at:

http://www.architecture.com.au/docs/default-source/vic-notable-buildings/mercy-hospital-(former).pdf?sfvrsn=0 (Accessed: 1 May 2016).

This article provides information on the 1930s Mercy Hospital. It gives us yet another insight into how Australia was influenced by modernism from Europe

and America. The article describe how the architect Arthur Macpherson travelled abroad and was inspired by the functionalism and design of foreign

hospitals. The article discusses how the hospital was one of the first hospitals to be designed under modernist ideals. In addition, it also discusses how the

modernist ideals were suited to the programmatic nature of hospitals.

Johnson, P. (2012a) Nationally significant 20th-century architecture . Available at: http://architecture.com.au/docs/default-source/vic-notable-buildings/vic-sanitariumhf.pdf?sfvrsn=0

(Accessed: 1 May 2016).

Again this article adds further to the fact of Willem Dudok influence on Australian Architecture. The article also illustrates Australia was influenced by the

European architecture of the time. There is also mention of the De Stijl Movement and Walter Gropius influence on the structure. This article provides a

direct insight into the role of modernism in Australia during the 1930s.

Books (minimum 2)

Johnson, D.L.L. (1981) Australian architecture 1901-51: Sources of modernism. Australia: Sydney University Press.

Maidment, J. (ed.) (1990) A Wonderful Little House. Melbourne: University of Melbourne.

This text provides a very concise introduction to the suburban architecture throughout the first half of the 20th century. The book provides a detailed description of each phase of australian

architecture, ranging from the early victorian styles of the 1900s to the growing modernism of the 1930s and then to the aftermath of second world war in the 1950s. In addition, it also

provides several illustrations to provide examples of australian homes during the time. The book is useful as provides a solid groundwork in order to develop an article on the transformation


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towards modernism during the 1930s. Although the text provides only a glimpse of how suburban architecture was behaving in the 1930s, it is very useful for gaining a better understanding

of how architecture was evolving in australia.

Stephen, A., Goad, P. and McNamara, A. (eds.) (2008) Modern times: The untold story of modernism in Australia . Illustrated Edition edn. Sydney, N.S.W, Carlton, Vic.: Miegunyah Press.

Modern times is a collection of 25 essays and more than 250 images related to modernism during the period of 1917 to 1967. It encompasses the many art forms that are influenced by the

modernism of that age. Themes include architecture, art, photography, perceptions of the body and film. The book is centred around how modernism influenced the many facets of

australian society and how Australia responded to this movement. In addition, the book also provides contexts towards the period with mentions of the Great depression and post World War

one Australia. I would focus on the "City living" and "Culture" sections as they provide a valuable insight into the perception of modernism in Australia.

Miles, M. (2015) The language of light and dark: Light and place in Australian photography . Canada: McGill-Queen’s University Press.

Edquist, H. (2008) Pioneers of modernism: The arts and Crafts movement in Australia. Australia: Melbourne University Publishing.

Websites (minimum 2)

Australian architecture (2016) Available at: http://www.australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/austn-architecture (Accessed: 1 May 2016).

Useful overview on the different forms of architecture in the varying Australian landscape. The site provides information on how Australian Architects

responded to the Federation and how a new Australian landscape identity was formed. From the rural symbolism to the suburban & city transition of

identity. Furthermore, it also explores how homes were made during the first half of the 20th Century. This article is particularly useful as it provides insight

homes were beginning to be built in terms of function highlighting a growing modernist influence on the australian landscape.

Victoria, C. and Contributors, C.C. (2014) Built environment - culture Victoria. Available at: http://www.cv.vic.gov.au/stories/built-environment/ (Accessed: 1 May 2016).

This site is especially useful as it provides a brief but informative illustration the many styles of Architecture before the Interwar period.The gives

information on architectural styles such as Queen Anne, Federation, California Bungalow and Edwardian styles. This is very helpful as its allows us to the

truly see the transformation from this to the early 1920s architectural styles.

Thompson, J. (2015) Art deco architecture style in Australia. Available at: http://www.domain.com.au/advice/art-deco-architecture-style-in-australia/ (Accessed: 1 May 2016).

This article targets how Australian Architecture was influenced by the Art-Deco style during the interwar period. The website gives a detaileddescription of

how Australia embraced the Art Deco style. Furthermore, the website highlights characteristics of Art Deco and how it transformed from organic forms to


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more geometric forms. In particular, the website also includes examples Art Deco homes throughout Melbourne & Sydney. This website is useful as it

gives a detailed illustration of Art Deco within Australia.

Australian Institute of Architects (2016) Architecture in the State of Victoria. Available at:

http://architecture.com.au/events/state-territory/victorian-chapter/victorian-architecture (Accessed: 26 April 2016).

Australia, M. (2015) What is modernism? • modernist Australia. Available at: http://modernistaustralia.com/what_is_modernism/ (Accessed: 26 April 2016).

Victoria Albert Museum Online (2013) Modernism - Victoria and Albert Museum. Available at: http://www.vam.ac.uk/page/m/modernism/ (Accessed: 30

April 2016).

Images (that are included in ‘suggested illustrations/images’ table above, no annotations necessary, order by fig/image number)

Fig 1 &3 . Australian architecture (2016) [IMAGE] Available at: http://www.australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/austn-architecture (Accessed: 1 May 2016).

Fig 2. OLD ARTS UNIMELB (2015) [IMAGE]. Available at: http://www.ifsa-butler.org/images/stories/sig/program-cities/ume/Old-Arts-Quad-u.jpg (Accessed: 1 May 2016).

Fig 4 Griffin, W., Kemter and Peck & Burley (2012) Nationally significant 20th-century architecture.[IMAGE] Available at:

http://architecture.com.au/docs/default-source/vic-notable-buildings/vic-capitolhouse.pdf?sfvrsn=0 (Accessed: 1 May 2016).

Fig 5 Johnson, P. (2012) Nationally significant 20th-century architecture Seabrook and Fildes . [IMAGE] Available at:

http://www.architecture.com.au/docs/default-source/vic-notable-buildings/mac-robertson-girls-high-school.pdf?sfvrsn=0 (Accessed: 1 May 2016).

Fig 6. MERCY FORMER HOSPITAL (1937) [IMAGE]. Available at: http://applications.doi.vic.gov.au/ImageFactoryWeb/getfile?path=2005-10-07/H01954/1mercy_hospital_may01.jpg/vhr.jpg

(Accessed: 1 May 2016).

Fig 7. Dimech, A.M. (2016) Manchester Unity [IMAGE] Available at: http://www.adonline.id.au/buildings/manchester-unity/ (Accessed: 1 May 2016).

Fig 8. WILSON HALL (2015) [IMAGE]. Available at: http://lostoncampus.com.au/img/poi/l/outside-of-wilson-hall-31743.jpg (Accessed: 1 May 2016).

paul nguyen annotated bibliography task 2 a

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