Eliot Noyes and 20^th Century Architecture

 

Modern Architecture:

20^th-century architecture, or the so-called modern architecture, followed a minimalist style of construction, mainly based on the philosophy of “form follows function” (Craven, 2018). The maxim was first coined by Louis Sullivan and meant the rejection of ornament in design and the introduction of simplicity. The use of steel and iron, first highlighted by Viollet-le-Duc, and new foundation techniques such as metal skeleton frames, were prominent. Tall buildings and skyscrapers, improvement in safety systems based on techniques developed by Elisha Otis, and newly available technology progressed in America. Simplicity-based architecture also flourished in Europe and Russia after the first world war. It was led by notable architects such as Le Corbusier in France, Melnikov in Russia, and van der Rohe in Germany.

Eliot Noyes:

Eliot Noyes was a notable American Harvard-trained architect and designer. Born in Massachusetts, Noyes initially wanted to be a painter, before setting his mind towards architecture when he was 19 years old. He received his architecture degree from Harvard in 1938 and is considered as one of the notable American architects of the modern era. He worked with the ‘Harvard Five’ as a member, which was a group of Harvard-architects working in Connecticut (Earls, 2006). His design philosophy was that of functional modernism, like that of the many notable architects of the 20^th century. His work was inspired by the works of other famous architects such as Le Corbusier, Breuer, and Gropius, and he displayed simplicity in his works.

The major achievement of Noyes was that he established harmony between design strategy and business strategy, such as by designing the Selectric typewriter for IBM in 1961. The product was hailed as an “instant classic” for its shape and beauty (IBM historians, n.d.).

“He enlisted pioneering designers, notable Charles Eames, Paul Rand, Ivan Chermayeff and Tom Geismar, to help him bring out about innovative architectural, graphic and industrial design. He was personally responsible for the design of some notable twentieth-century classics, such as IBM’s Selectric typewriter and Mobil Oil’s service stations and petrol pumps. His own work includes architectural projects, such as the award-winning Noyes’ family residence in Connecticut” (Bruce).

Noyes remained as the IBM design director until his death in 1977.

Noyes’ key to a good design could be summarized as follows:

1. Fulfills its function
2. Respects its materials
3. Is suited to the method of production
4. Combines these in imaginative expression (IBM historians, n.d.)

“In a sense, a corporation should be like a good painting; everything visible should contribute to the correct total statement; nothing visible should detract. Thus, a company’s buildings, offices, graphic design, and so forth should all contribute to a complete statement about the significance and direction of the company” – Eliot Noyes.

Differences Between Modern and Contemporary Architecture

When modern techniques of architecture and design were introduced in the 20^th century, advanced technology came into play, along with less space for creativity and emotions. Contemporary architecture comprised of a lot of ornaments and designs, such as the Edwardian or the Victorian architectural style. There was more space for creativity, and people had a better emotional connection with buildings. However, modern contractors and architects tried to develop a certain harmony among the inside and the outside environment, so that people could feel more closer to nature. The modern architecture is expensive since better quality materials and more advanced techniques are being used. Unlike modern architecture, older styles of architecture used less expensive materials, but that have proved to be durable and long-lasting.

Eliot Noyes based his philosophy of design on the works of Le Corbusier, a French architect. Corbusier’s design philosophy was to employ “rectilinear forms, open interiors, and ‘weightless’ structures” (Engel & Volkers, n.d.). Similarly, the philosophy of less is more, seen in the works of van der Rohe, is also a key display among the modern works of architecture. However, the works of Colin Rowe, display a better harmony between the modern and the classical works of architecture. In 1988, however, Rowe confessed that he found the classical architecture “gratifying and refreshing, as the spectacle of Modern Architecture becomes more depressing” (Martinez, 2011).

There is no doubt that a lot of modern works in the field of architecture are less creative and colorful as compared to the works from the Renaissance and provide a lesser pleasant thought. However, modern times require modern measures, and the works of modern architects have helped develop a better outcome based on the principle of ‘like dissolves like,’ in the sense that buildings and other architectural works have been based on the principals they offer. As Eliot Noyes thought, a building should represent what it does, or, more precisely, the functions that it works on.

Conclusion:

There is no denying that art is subjective and that an artist offers everything they think is ‘art,’ and that they contribute to whatever field they work in little by little. However, some artists are capable of understanding in a better way the needs of the hour. Architects are artists, and with time, like art, architecture has also changed. Architects of the 20^th century have helped shape a mindset through the use of their art, and Eliot Noyes’ thought that “a corporation should be like a good painting”, shows that there is somehow a huge connection between architecture and the human mind.

References

 

1. Bruce, G. (n.d.). Eliot Noyes.
2. Craven, J. (2018, December 22). Modern Architecture and Its Variations. Retrieved from Though Co.: https://www.thoughtco.com/modernism-picture-dictionary-4065245
3. Earls, W. D. (2006). The Harvard Five in New Canaan:.
4. Engel, & Volkers. (n.d.). LE CORBUSIER’S STYLE AND DESIGN PHILOSOPHY. Retrieved from EngelVoelkers: https://www.engelvoelkers.com/en/blog/luxury-living/architecture/le-corbusiers-style-and-design-philosophy/
5. IBM historians. (n.d.). Good Design is Good Business. Retrieved February 05, 2020, from IBM: https://www.ibm.com/ibm/history/ibm100/us/en/icons/gooddesign/transform/
6. IBM historians. (n.d.). The Selectric Typewriter. Retrieved February 05, 2020, from IBM: https://www.ibm.com/ibm/history/ibm100/us/en/icons/selectric/team/
7. Martinez, M. (2011, June 13). Classical vs Modern Architecture. Retrieved from DBIA: https://www.dbia.com/classical-vs-modern-architecture/
8. Wikipedia contributors. (2019, December 17). Eliot Noyes. Retrieved from Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Eliot_Noyes&oldid=931215279