Jennifer Donnachie

MODERNISUM: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly

I intend to investigate Modernism and more particularly housing and town planning in Europe after the war. It is called ‘the good, the bad and the ugly’ as I intend to consider the ideas and fanciful plans that the modernist architects had, the flaws in those plans that had dyer consequences for the community’s that were placed in them, and the often referred to as the ugly scare that has been left on our urban landscape. 

INTENDED RESERCH

I will look at the post war building boom and intend to use my previous field work on Cumbernauld as well as new field work as well as archival research. I will investigate the thought proses behind the tower block as well as the (long life of the) prefabs that were only ever designed to stand for ten years.

I am writing a paper in to the connection between post war modernist architecture and modern artists like Martin Boyce, Toby Paterson and Rachel Whiteread, to see wither there work is merely superficial or has deeper meaning behind it. This paper I hope to help me understand what modernist architecture means 60years on. 

In the paper I also discuss the some of the architectural giants of the time such as Frank Lloyd Wright and Le Corbusier. I will further look in to the influences they had over what we expect from our towns and homes today.

I will consider the utopian socialist aspect of the architect’s grand plans and ask if expecting everyone to voluntarily move to new locations was morally right, and look at the types of propaganda that aided the mass migration. I will also ask the fundamental question of why was there such a need for change.

METHODES AND MATERIALS

I will use methods and proses that I have used before such as printing, vacuum forming and 3D work. I will consider the use of glass and steel as these were essential to building at the time.  Cement is also a vital material and I intend to learn a lot more about it a viable material to work with.

EXPECTED OUTCOME

I intend to have gathered a large amount of source research as well as have a substantial body of development work, which reflects the subject above.

I intend to have produced two or three end works in 2D or 3D which will ether reflect the good, the bad, the ugly or a combination of all three.