This assignment just about completes our work in Rybczynski’s book. Nothing here should give you particular problems. We’ve already introduced the idea of style, and the ways one can shape a style to make a statement about one’s self. Austerity introduces the concept of the “modern”, which we’ll see as an attempt to abolish “style” through disassembling the elements out of which styles are created. We’ll also want to understand why most Americans, so “modern” in their affection for technology, reject “modern” as a style for their houses.
Above are two houses from Indiana. Again, most Americans would not have a difficult time selecting which was "modern". Most, however, would have difficulty guessing when a house like this was built. Fewer would guess that the "modern" one is actually older. Click on each house for further examples
The final chapter of the book sums up most of what we’ve been trying to understand: how we use our houses to increase our sense of psychological and social well-being. Spend some time with the illustration at the beginning of this chapter. We’ll spend some time discussing it in some detail. Note: This is a dormitory room. If you happen to live on campus, does this room look more comfy or less comfy than yours?
At the left and right are two examples of chairs. One is in a traditional style, the other in a "modern" style. I suspect that 99% of Americans would be able to pick out the "modern" one.
Can you explain how the "modern" chair illustrates the principles in Rybczynski's Chapter 9?
For Friday, November 15
Read, in Rybczynski,
Chapter 10, "Comfort and Well-Being" pp. 217 - 232
For Wednesday, November 13
As the twentieth century rolled along, one notices less regional differences in house styles across the country. There is probably no better example than the two houses above. Bur there are some other pretty good examples available in other places--for example on St. Anthony Boulevard, in Minneapolis, where my Great Aunt Augusts and Uncle Teddy lived. Their house is on the left. (The guard animals are a later addition). When I was a kid the area next to the house on the right was an empty field. They built Northeast Junior High there in time for my brother to attend it.
I'm expecting a couple of old, old friends to drop by to help me demonstrate how architectural styles became less regional and more national. Their initials are S.L. and O.H.
We're just about ready to discuss Tracy Kidder's Book, House. Remember this is fact, not fiction. Don't call it a novel. Remember that I wanted you to have it read before we started discussing it. How are you getting along with it?
