Expressionist Style Architecture, What is Expressionist Style
Expressionist Style Architecture speaks to what is expressionist style architecture and to define expressionist style.
It is another approach to modern architecture which was popular in the United States and Canada from the 1960s through the 1970s. It rejects the sometimes rigid of the International style to exploit the sculptural and expressive possibilities of new construction techniques.
Typical of this style of architecture are dramatically curved concrete or brick walls, cantilevered roofs and the use of laminated wood in idiosyncratic shapes. This style has its roots in the European Expressionist movement of the early twentieth century. At that time architects like Antonio Gaudi (1852 to 1926), Hans Poelzig (1869 to 1936) and Eric Mendelsohn (1887 to 1953) were experimenting with the ability of new materials especially concrete, to produce dramatic and often eccentric structures.
These early efforts were interrupted by the Second World War but presaged later designs by Le Coubusier (1887 to 1976). The work of these Europeans as well as the ground breaking architecture od American Frank Lloyd Wright, inspired architects of the postwar period.
In Canada, the freedom of expression made possible by this approach to design allowed architects to relate their designs to the drama of our geography and climate as well as to incorporate specific culture values. The liberation of design from supposedly universal values inspired architects throughout Nort and South America who were seeking to push design beyond its Euro-centric limitations.
This empowered Indian, Metis and other architects to infuse their designs with the cultural norms of their own communities. Since this style shares with Brutalism an emphasis on structural engineering and a similar handling of materials, some buildings exhibit qualities of both styles.
As defined by “Wikipedia” architecture is defined as:
"Architecture" can mean:
A general term to describe buildings and other physical structures.
The art and science of design and erecting buildings and other physical structures.
The style and method of design and construction of buildings and other physical structures.
The practice of the architect, where architecture means the offering or rendering of professional services in connection with the design and construction of buildings, or built environments.
The design activity of the architect, from the macro-level (urban design, landscape architecture) (to the micro-level (construction details and furniture).
The term "architecture" has been adopted to describe the activity of designing any kind of system, and is commonly used in describing information technology.
In relation to buildings, architecture has to do with the planning, designing and constructing form, space and ambience that reflect functional, technical, social, environmental, and aesthetic considerations. It requires the creative manipulation and coordination of material, technology, light and shadow. Architecture also encompasses the pragmatic aspects of realizing buildings and structures, including scheduling, cost estimating and construction administration. As documentation produced by architects, typically drawings, plans and technical specifications, architecture defines the structure and/or behaviour of a building or any other kind of system that is to be or has been constructed.
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