Few Steps To Modernism

Few steps to modernism

During the 1920s and 1930s the skyscraper became a potent an uniquely American symbol of modernity. The penthouse apartment in Manhattan was a success and the outline of the New York skyline was recognisable worldwide. It showed strength, power, faith in the future, and rejection of the constraints of the past.

The early few skyscrapers were commercial buildings built between 1884 and 1939, in the American cities of Chicago and New York. The Traditional building in United States were made up of low-rise buildings. This happened with the economic growth after the Civil War it increased with use of Urban land.

The skyscrapers were helped by the use of technology by constructing with fire proofed iron-framed structures with deep foundations, electricity even improved this further by having electric lightings and elevators. The first skyscrapers was 138 foot (42m) Tall Home Insurance Building (1884). 

They burst rapidly and by the 1888 they were being called skyscrapers.

The iconic  Flatiron Building, New York.

                              

The Chrysler building in New York is 

1,046 feet (319 m). This was build in the Art Deco era, this skyscraper is also inspired by the step pyramids.

It is mostly inspired by the Gothic Revival building and the Egyptian pyramids.  The Egyptian used falcons in there paintings and buildings. 

Egyptian falcon

Gothic Revival building

Todays photo of New York bird eye view

The skyscraper was an influence to other designers as we can see here a book case ´Skyscraper` Paul.T.Frankl (American, Vienna 1886 - 1958) Los Angeles California 

(1902- 1905)

Paul.T.Frankl (1902- 1905)

Peter Van Beckum (2013)

Referencing :

The Metropolitan Museum of Art.. 2000. Met Museum of Art LogoThe Metropolitan Museum of Art. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.metmuseum.org/collections/search-the-collections/482533. [Accessed 07 December 13].

jennyp12. 2011. Venustatis, Firmitatis, Utilitatis. [ONLINE] Available at: http://jennyp12.wordpress.com/2010/05/14/gothic-architecture/. [Accessed 07 December 13].

GoddessGift. 2001. Egyptian Gods and Heroes. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.goddessgift.net/gods-and-heroes-egyptian-statues-wall-reliefs.html. [Accessed 07 December 13].

Peter Van Beckum . 2010. PETER VAN BECKUMFURNITURE MAKER. [ONLINE] Available at: http://petervanbeckum.blogspot.com. [Accessed 07 December 13].

ziggy sipz. 2009. foto community . [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.fotocommunity.com/pc/pc/display/19635654. [Accessed 09 December 13].