Architecture_as_an_expression_of_the_times Farnsworth_House

a winter view of house in 1971, showing original insect screening of porch, , roller shades added owner after curtains damaged flood waters.



the house in 2006

the farnsworth house addresses basic issues relationship between individual , society. mies viewed technology-driven modern era in ordinary individual exists largely beyond control. believed individual can , should exist in harmony culture of time fulfill himself. career long , patient search architecture true expression of essential soul of epoch, holy grail of german modernism. perceived our epoch era of industrial mass production, civilization shaped forces of rapid technological development. mies wanted use architecture tool reconcile individual spirit new mass society in exists.

his answer issue accept need orderly framework necessary existence, while making space freedom needed individual human spirit flourish. created buildings free , open space within minimal framework, using expressed structural columns. did not believe in use of architecture social engineering of human behavior many other modernists did, architecture represent ideals , aspirations. mature design work physical expression of understanding of modern epoch. provides occupants of buildings flexible , unobstructed space in fulfill individuals, despite anonymous condition in modern industrial culture. materials of buildings, industrial manufactured products mill-formed steel , plate glass, represent character of modern era, counterbalances these traditional luxuries such roman travertine , exotic wood veneers valid parts of modern life. mies accepted problems of industrial society facts dealt with, , offered idealized vision of how technology can made beautiful , can support individual. suggests downsides of technology decried late 19th century critics such john ruskin, can solved human creativity, , shows how in architecture of house.

reconnecting individual nature 1 of great challenges of urbanized society. 60-acre (24 ha) rural site offered mies opportunity bring man s relationship nature forefront. here highlights individual s connection nature through medium of man-made shelter. mies said: should attempt bring nature, houses, , human being higher unity . glass walls , open interior space features create intense connection outdoor environment, while providing framework reduces opaque exterior walls minimum. careful site design , integration of exterior environment represents concerted effort achieve architecture wedded natural context.

mies conceived building indoor-outdoor architectural shelter simultaneously independent of , intertwined domain of nature. mies did not build on flood-free upland portions of site, choosing instead tempt dangerous forces of nature building directly on flood plain near rivers edge. philip johnson referred type of experience of nature safe danger . enclosed space , screened porch elevated 5 feet on raised floor platform, above 100 year flood level, large intermediate terrace level. house has flooded substantially above living level floor level twice, in 1956 , 1996 (both in excess of fema 500 year flood levels), causing significant damage utilities, wood veneers, glass , furnishings. site experienced heavy rains , floodwaters rising within 2 feet of main floor in august 2007, setting curators scrambling protect house , contents further rise in flood level.

the house has distinctly independent personality, yet evokes strong feelings of connection land. levels of platforms restate multiple levels of site, in kind of poetic architectural rhyme, not unlike horizontal balconies , rocks @ wright s fallingwater. house anchored site in cooling shadow of large , majestic black maple tree. mies did, entrance located on sunny side, facing river instead of street, moving visitors around corners , revealing views of house , site various angles approach front door. simple elongated cubic form of house parallel flow of river, , terrace platform slipped downstream in relation elevated porch , living platform. outdoor living spaces extensions of indoor space, screened porch (screens gone) , open terrace. yet man made remains distinct natural geometric forms, highlighted choice of white primary color.