Modern Architecture and Design- an introduction History of Art

What is Art History?

What do I already know about architecture? Start simply.. What do I already know about architecture?

“Architecture is the art we live in.” Discuss the following statements to help us gain a context for our International style artists. F.L Wright called architecture, “The mother art.” “Without an architecture of our own, we have no soul of our own civilisation.” Can you think of any modern architectural buildings (they might just be famous ones!) where you think these three statements might apply?

Key terms See NCEA sheet of key words Art and Design Terms Architectural Terms Art terms

Key terms- Media and Process Processes (Construction) Tools Structural materials Cladding materials Frame/ support Ornament/ embellishment (Process leads to construction) Planning/ preparation Architect/ builder Decisions behind the how/why Technologies used to design

How does architecture differ to art?

Function: What is the building or piece of art being created FOR? Function is the answer to WHY the architect has designed the project in a particular way or designed it in the first place, or the reason that an artist has created their art work.

Meaning Meanings refer to the ideas, messages, and/or themes conveyed through the features of art works. Features may include: technical devices, formal elements, subject matter, iconographic motifs, symbols, emblems, and action or performance elements.

Style Style refers to the characteristics of an art work that, when combined, distinguish the style of an artist, art movement, period or place. These characteristics may include ways of using line, colour, tone, light, form, composition, space, scale, shape, mass, texture, ornament, and media.

Contextual example (case study) Can you define context? Explain how context might aid our understanding of art and architecture.

Can you identify this building? Where is it? What is it? In a few sentences describe what you think about it’s appearance.

The Supreme Court of NZ FUNCTION: In 2004, the Supreme Court replaced the Privy Council as New Zealand’s final Court of Appeal. This court would express New Zealand in the 21st C and recognise New Zealand as an independent nation with it’s own history and traditions. The architects wanted to “borrow from the best architectural and legal traditions and represent them in an expression of open justice for a new era.” Now that you know what the architects were trying to achieve, let’s examine some images and see what we can identify examples to support the architects’ vague plans.(They weren’t really vague…!) Do this in pairs and write the examples down in your notes.

The Supreme Court of NZ The facts The Court officially opened in January 2010. The Architects were Warren and Mahoney, Wellington. It sits adjacent to the old High Court building. The Supreme Court is based in the CBD and is very close to the waterfront, the harbour and Parliament. The ‘client’ was the Ministry of Justice. The building won a series of awards in 2011 and 2012 for it’s architecture.

Processes Wanted the building to represent NZ in the 21st C but also be sympathetic to the Victorian High Court next door, and the NZ legal tradition. Desire to incorporate both similar and contrasting elements of the existing building such as keeping ‘top lighting’ the same but using new aspects like the exterior bronze screen. Influenced by the Maori concept of Pohutakawa and Rata trees symbolising shelter and leadership. Bronze screen depicts these trees intertwining. This also links to NZ’s unique natural heritage. Suggestion that Justice is ‘open and transparent’ – glazing allows people from the street to see all the way to the judges bench. Different technologies and time period of both buildings is represented and preserved.

Media Copper panel of the ovoid courtroom. Interior lined with silver beech panels-emulates the form and texture of the the Kauri tree cone. Diamond pattern of panel references tukutuku (woven panels) from within marae. Recycled scrap metal (bronze and copper) used to create the Pohutakawa and Rata tree exterior. 8 metres high, 88 panels, 90 tonnes.

Environmental features/ sustainability Displacement ventilation allows fresh airflow. Solar panels heat water. Glass used provides solar control and thermal insulation. Bronze screen gives solar shading, glare control and protection. Many of the old High Court’s materials and decorative features were recycled, restored or reinstated.