Technological Determinism In Twentieth-Century Architectural Theory & Design

Introduction

The articles Towards a New Architecture 1923 by Le Corbusier and COMPLEXITY AND CONTRADICTION IN ARCHITECTURE by Rober Venturi 1966 both shift attention towards the major issues and trends in the old architecture of the 20th century. The authors speak about the incompetence of the architecture inherent in the art of that time. The author states that complexity and non straightforwardness in architecture are not acknowledged like in other fields. Meanwhile, industry, like architecture, was ruled by a new spirit. Economic laws governed the thoughts and acts of architects at that time.

Analysis

The articles provide insight into the problem of house and architectural design in the early and mid-20th century. Le, in 1923, describes the technological determinism in 20th-century architectural design as overwhelming; it was like a flood that rolled on towards its destination and helped the designers to adopt new tools and techniques using technology. The equilibrium of society pretty much depended upon the architectural design. The 20^th century was the period of renewal that brought a revolution of values and revised various elements of house designs.

The 20th century was a great era of constructing mass houses and buildings that were filled with innovation and new designs using technology; experiments were done in many ways to create unique buildings on mass production. The spirit of constructing the mass production of houses was increasing. The author called this idea of producing mass houses the “house machine,” which was morally healthy for the development of society and beautiful in the same way. The instruments and technological tools added to the beauty of design as well, which was an overall great experience. The artists were able to use their creativity and animation, which were added to serve the pure purpose of building great architecture.

The author speaks about airplanes, which were a creation of the 20th century; they were a sign of advancement toward modern industry. The scientists wanted to succeed at any cost with their new flying machine called an airplane. It was an invention that was not only daring but also mobilized, which was created with a great spirit. Inventing airplanes was the same as the advancement of architecture. The airplane was built with a logic to fly, it was not supppsoed to fly like a bird or a hawk; the successful realization was the real problem and finding its solution was inevitable. Engineers in that era were mostly busy with creating bridges, liners, mines, and railways in the 20th century; the success of airplanes showed that they succeeded in their mission to find the solution to the flying problem. To invent a flying machine that would enable every human being to remain in the air for the next ten years was simply amazing to everyone.

Robert Venturi added his points in 1966 that he liked the contradiction and complexity in architecture in the 60s. However, arbitrariness and incoherence were the problems that needed attention; modern architecture was filled with complexity and ambiguity. Complexity and contradiction were issues that were not acknowledged in architecture, unlike many other fields. The traditional elements like firmness and delight add complexity to the architecture automatically. Therefore, the result was the difficulties in the urban architecture plan. The author says that hybrid elements of modern architecture added to its complexity and ambiguity. It was not direct and clear, rather it was equivocal and inconsistent. The complex architecture has an obligation towards the totality. The author suggested that architecture should use convention and be vivid. Unfortunately, the architects did not have the power to replace the honky tonk elements in the architecture. The plan was to combine the new and old techniques to become part of a long-term plan. The methods that the architects had at that time must be accepted by them.