| Title |
A Comparative Study of the Houses of Mies van der Rohe and Le Corbusier |
| Abstract |
There are probably no architects of the 20th Century who had more influence on modern architecture than Mies van der Rohe and Le Corbusier. Although the two architects share one thing in common, namely, both are master of modernism, each has developed unique architecture of his own. The objective of this study is to investigate the characteristics of their works through a comparison analysis of the ideas, design principles and architectural language reflected in the works, focusing on the houses. this study will also aim to provide a foundation for a new design that harmonizes the design principles and architectural language of the two.
Through the study the following common points and differences were found between the houses of the two.
A) Common points: Both architects avoided ornamentation in houses while placing weight on the functions of houses and they tried to plan rational floor plans by separating the wall from the structure. B) Differences: ① The houses of Mies express the structure in a straightforward manner, while those of Corbusier are formative houses focusing more on shapes. ② The shapes of the houses of Mies are limited to basic shapes, quadrangle while those of Corbusier employ various geometric curves. ③ Using steel and glass, the houses of Mies are light and transparent. On the contrary, using concrete, the houses of Corbusier are somewhat bulky with Three-dimensional changes. ④ The houses of Mies show the value of moderation based upon the classical principles of design, while the houses of Corbusier show the value of moderation based upon geometry. ⑤ The houses of Mies feature horizontal interiors with flexibility. However, Corbusier's houses have vertical interiors with some changes in the cross sections. ⑥ In terms of material, the interiors of Mies' houses employ materials with various tones and textures, while interiors of Corbusier's houses are painted in simple white. Summing up these characteristics, it could be said that the houses of Mies have logical and rational beauty, whereas the houses of Corbusier have more emotional beauty. |