Contemporary Design Peer Reviews

Riann's blog really summed up this entire section. The pictures she provided from nowadays have a great touch of contemporary/ post modernism design mixed with elements of todays design style.

Tiziri's blog was very interesting! She focused in on one of the New York Five Architects, Michael Graves. She provided many photos and additional information about the amazing architect and designer.

Contemporary Design

Postmodernism/Contemporary Design began in the 1960's and ended in the early 2000's. Five influential designers have been grouped together and referred to as The New York Five. These five post modernism and contemporary architects are Michael Graves, Charles Gwathmey, Richard Meier, Peter Eisenman and Frank Genry. Graves (1934-2015) embraced decorative detail and strong color and forms. He designed products for Target and his first post modernism building was the Public Service Building in Oregon. Gwathmey (1938-2009) was an architect and educator who is most famous for designing the Gwathmey Residence and Studio in New York. Meier (1932) is an artist and architect that uses geometric shapes and the color white. His most famous designs are the Getty Center and the Douglas House. Eisenman (1932) designs with fragmented exterior and unpredictable design. One of his most famous designs is the Museum of Galicia in Spain. Lastly, Genry (1929) is a Canadian/American architect who designed the Guggenheim Museum, the High Stickling Back Chair and the Wiggle Chair. Each of these designers have each left an influential mark in architecture and interior design history.

Public Service Building, Graves
 



Target Designs, Graves
 





Gwathmey Residence, Gwathmey
 





Douglas House, Meier





Museum of Galicia, Eisenman

Wiggle Chair, Genry

Extra Credit: Additional information about Charles Gwathmey
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gw1PgQ8bfyI




Bucket List

I thought the Denmark presentation was very interesting. And it's especially interesting if the happiest people in the world live there! The first building they discussed was Blue Planet which is an aquarium. Secondly, the Copenhagen Opera House which was built in 2004 has limestone, marble, and 24 caret gold leaf ceiling. Ordupgaard features black lava concrete in an organic shape along with glass. The 8Tallet is in a figure eight setup and has apartments and parks. Next, the Danner House which was built in 1875 is brick with arches and influenced by the Spanish Barque design style. Lastly, the Musikkens Hus was built in 2010 and has multiple concert halls made of concrete and glass. Overall, Denmark seems like a very interesting place full of happy people.

Blue Planet
 

Copenhagen Opera House


 

Musikkens House

Extra Credit: Additional information about Denmark

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAAsfu2Oy3Q

 

Mid-Century Modernism Peer Reviews

Riann gave a brief overview of the mid-century modern era with many interesting photographs. I also really liked the video she provided about Eero Saarinen.

I enjoyed all of the photos that Stephanie provided! The modern applications are very interesting to see how designers mix and match the pieces from that time period and todays design style.

Mid-Century Modernism

The Mid-Century Modernism style started along the West Coast and had characteristics such as flat, angular roofs, wide open floor plans, and asymmetrical profiles. This style was also the first to use bi-level structures. A variety of furnishings were used during this time period such as plastics, resin, metal composites, laminates and fiberglass. All of these materials helped to fuel boundless creativity. The color palette varied from earthy warm colors such as olive green, burnt umber, pumpkin and mustard yellow to trendy colors such as pink, gray, turquoise, black and yellow.

 

 

Many well known pieces of furniture were also created during this time. Eero Saarinen created the womb chair, the executive chair and the tulip chair and table. Charles and Ray Eames created the compact sofa, the molded plywood chair and table, the conference table, the molded plastic chair and rocker, the walnut stools, the wire table and chair and the elliptical table.

Saarinen, Tulip Chair and Table

 





Eames Molded Plastic Chair
 





Modern take on Eames Molded Plastic Chair with the Mid-Century Modernism color palette



 

Extra Credit: Tour of a Mid-Century Modern home in California

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls3WvDpTAOs

Herman Miller Peer Reviews

I really liked how Haley H went into a lot of detail about the company and the services that come with the furniture. Also, she gave detailed information about each designer and some of their creations.

I enjoyed Stephanie's blog and the pictures she provided. The photos of today's uses were really interesting and I like the new Action Office design from Herman Miller.

Herman Miller Guest Speaker

Our guest this week was Darrell from Herman Miller. Herman Miller is a furniture manufacturer of historic pieces and new designs. The company started in 1906 and has recently received many awards of excellence. When the company first began as Michigan Star Furniture, their slogan was "Cheap & Medium Priced Furniture". Now, cheap furniture is not how Herman Miller should be defined. They produce quality pieces that can get quite pricey. In 1919 D.J. Depree became the president when his father-in-law loaned him the money to buy the company. He named the company Herman Miller after his father-in-law. Interestingly, Herman Miller never actually owned Herman Miller, he was just the one to loan the money. The company chose many designers to create custom pieces such as Gilbert Rohde, George Nelson, Ray & Charles Eames, Alexander Girard, Robert Propst and Bill Stumpf. Many famous pieces came from these designers such as the Marshmallow Sofa, the Coconut Chair, the Chaise Lounge Sleeper, the Eames Lounge Chair & Ottoman and the Aeron Chair. Because many of these designs are incredibly popular, there are many knock offs. However, if there is a Herman Miller medallion on the piece itself, then it is authentic. Herman Millers Design Yard and Green House are both located in Michigan and recently have bought out other companies such as Geiger, Nemschoff, Maharam and Design Within Reach.

Past Photographs:

D.J. Depree


The Coconut Chair





Present Photographs:





Herman Miller Green House



Herman Miller Aeron Chair


Extra Credit: Herman Miller Design Yard Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NR-R9r5n5NM