What is Modern?
What is modern? What does it mean to you? I think people are asking and struggling to answer this question all the time. Of course one may start with technology and engineering, back to when the International Style emerged from an ability to construct from the steel grid and allowed for features like ribbon windows. I’m going to keep it simple and tell you what modern means to me today, as I was reminded by the homes I toured last weekend.
Modern is about space and proper proportion, not square footage. That is something developers and realtors have lost in their quests for maximizing profit. I mean, the teardown/spec house going up next door to me has a “tasting room” in the plans. Are they going to be growing grapes in the remaining undeveloped five square feet on the lot and start a vineyard? Next to the tasting room is the media room and all the other useless, out of scale, pretentious noveau-riche stupid crap that no one needs, like a garage with no turning radius to actually manuever a car into it. But I digress, sorry, it’s the bulldozer noise and dirt all over my car making me pissy. By the way, thanks to Kevin the Project Manager for bringing me a car wash gift certificate today. I’m sure he went home to his wife last night and said “I can’t believe I have to go buy this bitch neighbor a car wash gift certificate tomorrow - my job sucks.”
Back to the M.A. tour: In the homes I saw, there were magnificent two-story living rooms with proportions that would have made Palladio swoon (see above). In exchange, many of the bedrooms were small by today’s McMansion standards. By “small” I mean there was plenty of space for a bed, two nightstands, and a dresser. How much more space do we really need in our bedrooms? My last bedroom was very small and cozy, and I actually preferred it to my new larger bedroom. In a smaller bedroom, one is much more motivated to edit, organize, and keep things neat.
Modern means considering the site and microclimates. This means that views and light led the architects most of the decisions, and that the context was considered. Natural light was maximized where needed, diffused where it would make the homes too hot or bright. Views were considered and showcased, and circulation followed. Each staircase led you in a thoughtful way to a considered view and destination. The staircases themselves were a big part of the rooms, and had no need to be hidden away.
Modern means developing a symbiotic relationship between indoors and outdoors, and blurring the lines between the two. The indoors led to the outdoors, and vice-versa. This is not the usual cliche of “bring the outdoors in” by painting a leaf on a wall, but rather deliberately providing beautiful outdoor spaces in the form of balconies, patios, and roofdecks. These spaces were as carefully considered as the indoor rooms.
Modern means thinking very carefully about the palette of materials and textures. Materials are not an afterthought; they help guide design from the first sketch. From poured concrete floors to rubber roof deck tiles, every material was carefully considered. Materials ranged from sustainable hardwood from Brazil to recycled glass tiles. Minimal decor helps the architectural details stand out, whether it’s a metal banister or a 1/2 bath sink faucet.
Modern means thinking about environmental impact. Of course, sustainability was a large contributing factor in design, from using recycled concrete blocks from the old Fulton County Stadium to manipulating sunlight to light a bathroom from above; from using local materials whenever possible to providing drought-tolerant gardens. Furthermore, many of the spaces had many uses, or were flexible enough to incorporate potential future uses. For instance, some were residences with live-work space, some were offices with living space, and one mostly office space doubled as a guest house when necessary.
Modern means having an eye for the big picture, and being aware of how the present relates to the past. I could really see the astute design eyes these owners had. While they may have had a few budget-busting dream pieces, they stood side-by-side with IKEA pieces. Old and new accessories, found art and modern art, and antiques and Marimekko prints were all mixed with aplomb.
So, we’d love to hear from you. What does modern mean to you?Â
• Villa Savoye photo from out of print book, le corbusier from Hamlyn Press
• First staircase photo from the Modern Atlanta Home Tour booklet; photographer unknown, architect Todd Bertsch.
May 20th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Modern to me is simplicity two tones of color with one strong accent color or two strong contrasting colors. Interesting pieces that speak to you when you look at them! They say I’m memorable. I love modern design its stimulating like no other style out there in this big world of design. I wish more people understood that modern is not bizarre it is not odd peculiar or ugly. If modern is done right it is the most beautiful sophisticated fabulous style in the world today!!!!!
May 27th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Modern with a capital M refers to Modernity - the international style as described above.
modern with a small m - is a mishmash of Contemporary (capital C) ideas filled with subjective interpretations of what Modern is.
As a landscape architect, I would have to say the best interpretation is one that is antithetical to Modernity, where the separation between man and nature is subverted, where the aesthetic of modernity is merged with a non-dualistic philosophy. Or at least that’s how I justify my student loans…
May 28th, 2008 at 8:26 am
Hi Jennifer. I got ya on the first part, but you lost me on the second part in Archispeak. Did you just take Beth Meyer’s theory class or something?
I am having deja vu to the lecture on Modern vs. Moderne.
Becky
June 5th, 2008 at 7:18 am
Hi Becky-
Our architect (TaC Studios) pointed us in the direction of your blog. I see you came through and enjoyed our house on the Atlanta Modern Home tour (East Ave house). Thanks for the nice comments you made. TaC did an amazing job creating it and our builders, Pinnacle Custom Builders, did an awesome job making it into a reality (and we worked hard on it too :)). If you want some additional pictures of our house, I can email them to you - just let me know. Thanks again!
Kip