Modern Architecture and Design

The modern architecture became the force behind the new age Industrial Design. The spirit of liberal thinking in art and design influenced the common people around the world. While architecture adopted the style and spirit of architecture in ‘straight lines’ to spearhead a new kind of aesthetic expression, other consumer products flowed closely the same path.

Therefore, design professionals remained closely associated with the architecture professionals. The Bauhaus became the fountainhead of the movement. Hence, we need to understand- What is architecture?
Architecture is the conscious design of the form and appearance of a building in such a way as to provide predictable reactions in those who see or use it.

‘Sculpture is the mother of architecture.’

Without aesthetic appeal, architecture will be called ‘building’. Every building has to express itself beyond its structural elements, and material considerations. Hence, all architectures are building but all buildings are not architectures. Every building has to excel beyond its structural limitations to a level in order to be called as architecture.

Although architecture encloses real space, often there is an attempt to create a special effect of space in an illusionary way. Monumentality, using negative or positive space (mass and void), surface treatment, tactile quality, etc is some of the features that architecture can produce to create especial effect. Hence, architecture and product design shared similar philosophy and exercises.