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Architecture and Design Databases

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Architecture History & Precedent Research

Architecture Precedents Research Tips An plan and elevation drawing of Villa Roma by Andrea Palladio. Written by, Andrea Palladio, Italian, 1508-1580; Illustrated by, Christoph Krieger,German, b. Nuremberg (?), d.Venice ca. 1590; Illustrated by, Johann Chrieger, German, active 16th century; Published by, Dominico de' Franceschi, Italian, active 1557-1586; Dedicated to, Giacomo Angarano, Italian; Dedicated to, Emanuele Filiberto, Italian, 1528-1580. 1570. I quattro libri dell'architettura di Andrea Palladio. Place: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, http://www.metmuseum.org. https://library.artstor.org/asset/MMA_IAP_10311575760.

  • Search for all names of the building/projects. (Sometimes renovations cause a name change, sometimes buildings have more/less famous names)
  • Search for the building type, known style(s) past and present purpose.
  • Search under all known designers for this project, expansion or renovation.
  • Include significant materials or systems are part of this project.
  • See also, Architecture Research, Precedent Analysis Guide
  • Books which cover several buildings often include diagrams along with bibliographic information leading to more drawings and diagrams, examples:

Global Architecture & Design History

When beginning historical research, look to databases that provide overview for person, place or point in time,

Find comprehensive information on a specific built work and develop a Precedent Study. Architecture students should have the "Ability to incorporate relevant precedents into architecture and urban design projects." (NAAB student performance criteria 11,Use of Precedents.)

Art & Architecture Library - Art & Design Object Collection

Historical Chairs in Education Hall 

The historical chairs in Education Hall are valuable pieces of Modernist history. This exhibit describes the chairs and their historical context. We’ve adopted augmented reality to tell the story while visitors examine the chairs.  

 

Chair History Description: 

GERRIT RIETVELD – RED BLUE CHAIR: 

“The Red Blue Chair” is one of architect Gerrit Rietveld most famous piece of furniture and has become an iconic symbol of modern design. It is made of beech wood and plywood, painted with ebony lacquer and aniline stains. He originally designed this chair in 1918 but painted it red and blue in 1921 in association with the De Stijl movement. This chair challenges conventional seating through intersecting planes and primary colors to create a dynamic visual language, functional yet aesthetically eye-catching. Today, this chair continues to inspire designers to reconsider the boundaries between art and everyday objects.  

 

 

 

LE CORBUSIER - “LC4" CHAISE LOUNGE CHAIR: 

The “LC4 Chaise Lounge” was designed by architect Le Corbusier in collaboration with Charlotte Perriand and his cousin Pierre Jeanneret. It is chrome-plated and made of varnished steel, fabric, steel springs, and rubber. It was originally designed in 1928 but is still seen as an iconic piece of furniture that revolutionized the concept of relaxation with its ergonomic shape and minimalist aesthetic. It has an adjustable reclining mechanism which allows the user to lounge in multiple positions. This chair remains an iconic piece of furniture and shows how influential and impactful Le Corbusier has been on architectural buildings and even furniture. 

 

References:

  1. Byars, Mel. The Design Encyclopedia. [New ed.]. L. King Pub., 2004  

  1. De Fusco, Renato. 1977. Le Corbusier, Designer : Furniture, 1929. Barron’s. 

  1. Dunas, Peter, Mathias Schwartz-Clauss, and Alexander von Vegesack. 1996. 100 Masterpieces from the Vitra Design Museum Collection. The Museum.  

  1. Fiell, Charlotte, Peter Fiell, Simone Philippi, and Susanne Uppenbrock. 1997. 1000 Chairs. Taschen. 

  2. Marcus, George H., and Le Corbusier. 2000. Le Corbusier : Inside the Machine for Living : Furniture and Interiors. Monacelli Press. See, diagrams pg. 105 

  3. Vöge, Peter, and Paul Overy. 1993. The Complete Rietveld Furniture. 010 Publishers. 

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