Zurich, home of Le Corbusier

Zurich is the “New Paris” . Zurich is amazingly clean and has beautiful Architecture, Flowers in all the public spaces, and transit runs like a well wound watch!

First of all, Le Corbusier Charles-Édouard Jeanneret, known as Le Corbusier, was a Swiss-French architect, designer, painter, urban planner, writer, and one of the pioneers of what is now called modern architecture. He was born in Switzerland and became a French citizen in 1930.

Truly the father of Modern Architecture, his last project is in Zurich.

The Pavillon Le Corbusier on Lake Zurich is considered an architectural jewel. The building was initiated by Heidi Weber, who commissioned Le Corbusier and oversaw its completion in 1967. It is the last building designed by the important architect and his only building made of steel and glass. After extensive renovation, the structure now shines in new splendor and invites visitors to take a unique “architectural promenade” through its various floors. Since 2019, the pavilion is run as a public museum by the Museum für Gestaltung Zürich on behalf of the City of Zurich

The Pavillon Le Corbusier

Other works by Le Corbusier that you could view.

As you can see, very modern, yet designed years ago! Le Corbusier believed that architecture was a comprised of function, form and light! somethings never change. The only thing I would add to that is texture and color!

The Glass House's glass.....

The Glass House by Philip Johnson is an iconic home of his in New Canaan Connecticut. Even before he began designing buildings, Philip Johnson (1906–2005) was influencing architecture. At age 26, the Cleveland native and Harvard graduate became the first director of the department of architecture at the Museum of Modern Art. During his tenure at MoMA, Johnson promoted the work of modern architects including Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius, and along with Henry-Russell Hitchcock, he curated the controversial 1932 show “Modern Architecture: International Exhibition,” which introduced America to European modernism.

The Glass House

What was particularly impressive about Philip Johnson was the size of glass that was used back in the 40’s. I’m curious about what type of glass was available then, as only recently have glass manufacturers offered large format glass. Current Glass manufacturer’s I have dealt with have 70 square feet as their largest offering, yet the glass in the Glass House is larger than that!

Here are at least three common glass types.

• Tempered Glass

• Reflective Glass

• Insulating Glass

I was informed during our visit to The Glass house that the glass is not tempered. Tempered means that the glass is made in such a many that it will break in tiny pieces as opposed to breaking in half, for the purpose of safety.

The glass was certainly not reflective from the outside, or no one would be able to see in. However, interestingly enough, there was reflectivity inside, at night, which was disturbing to Philip Johnson, and in order to eliminate that, down lights were installed on the outside, and evidently that eliminated the condition!

At that time, insulated glass was not made.

Therefore, the glass was a common plate glass, very large and thus must have been a huge expense, not a surprise. Johnson had all of the funding needed to build such an iconic house.

The mullions that are in between the glass are steel, and are also the fabric and structure of the home.

While we were there, we noticed some breakage in the glass which will certainly be repaired, if it has not already. Would love to know the price per square foot on that!

More research will continue to find that actual source and cost of the Glass House’ glass.

At that time, 1940’s more common glass types were perfume bottles, coke, cookware, doorknobs, pitchers, dinnerware……

So the fact that the Glass House’ glass was so expansive and used on each of the four exterior surfaces was Modern in of itself!

Detail of large glass

Palm Springs and Mid Century Modernism

Palm Springs is the home of midcentury style. And the pinnacle of Mid century modern style is in fact an English country estate, reimagined for the American desert….what I am referring to is the home called Sunnylands. Designed by Quincy A Jones, and interiors by William Haines, this masterpiece is a have to see!

It is impeccably restored, and tells the story of design of that era. The furnishings, the colors celadon and peachy peach, the indoor outdoor feel and basically teaches a good lesson on how to live right in the desert.

I particularly was entranced with how the Architecture of this home is as Contemporary as todays homes. In fact, it is where true Modernism started in many ways.

The furnishings are are very Mid Century Modern.

Sunnylands Center

Palm Springs in its Glory!

Sunnylands back yard

Sunnylands Visitor center

Proportions and Paris

Arguably the most-visited museum in the world, the Louvre is a rambling, glorious palace that includes three wings, a dungeon, and IM Pei’s glass-and-steel pyramid at the main entrance. Exploring all of its millennium-spanning collection of 35,000 pieces would take years, if not a lifetime.

But did you know that the roof leaks something awful?

However, the French always have the correct proportions in their architecture. Take a look at the windows, the way they are 1/3 ,2/3 in such a manner that it just “feels right”. The reason behind this is that the classical architectural “orders” are very present in the design and there is a hidden formula to all of this. The Classicalist understands and believes that these proportions make the architectural elements are the reason why one feels comfortable or at ease when in the presence of classical architecture.

Not only do the French do Architecture well, but the formulas continue to shoe design, sculpture and even a smattering of mushrooms and flowers, just hanging out in the marketplace!