unit summary [reflections]

The reflections unit was about deciding the best way to move into the future. Do we continue to recreate the past or do we completely move away from that in new ways? This unit saw designers choosing either of the directions; some used a combination of both. The rapidly changing times of the 18th and 19th centuries were a double-edged sword. Many designers took advantage of the forward thinking innovative atmosphere and pushed into the future in unprecedented ways. However, when things change too fast, it is natural to feel uncomfortable and to revert to what is familiar. These types of designers use forms and techniques they already knew.

An important part of this unit was getting back to the roots. You have to know where you came from to get to where you’re going. Frank Lloyd Wright conveyed this with the design of his personal home. It went back to the basics as far as composition is concerned. The façade features a steep triangular roof, bands of windows, and a door. Wright finds ways to connect with roots with many of his other designs. For example, at Fallingwater, he connects with nature and the surroundings by using local stone and building directly into the landscape. The same is true with other designers. A reconnection with nature seems to be a recurring idea. Designers pay attention special moments within nature and use those as inspiration for elements within their designs.

At the time of our nations formation, there was a struggle establishing an identity and developing a unique architecture. Designers worked hard to change European forms and styles to reflect who we were as a nation. An example is the Trinity Church of Boston, The Romanesque-inspired style used in this building soon became a unique American style used for civic buildings throughout the country. The most successful styles, such as Art Deco over the International Style, caught on because they were adaptable and they reflected the existing architecture.

When thinking about the reflections unit, it is also helpful to think about the word literally as well. With the new technology of mass production, glass and iron became heavily used in new buildings. Glass was no longer an exclusive material, but something that could be used frequently. The glass represented a new era, looking back the past but also moving to the future.