Breuer House Iterations
An Analysis of Breuer’s Abstract and Relative Stylistic Development
J.N. Scheijde (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
Phoebus I. Panigyrakis – Mentor (TU Delft - Urban Design)
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Abstract
This study contributes to the understanding of Breuer's architectural style and provides insight into the evolution of modernist architecture in the mid-twentieth century whereby it examines the progression of Marcel Breuer's architectural style using Breuer House I (1939), Breuer House II (1948), and Breuer House, New Canaan II (1951) as case studies. Using Viollet le Duc's conceptual framework of absolute and relative style, Breuer's correspondences from the archive about the project are analysed to classify his style accordingly. Thereafter, a comparison is made between the dwellings to extract his progression. The study finds that Breuer's style is characterised by astute attention to detail, an emphasis on materiality, and a strong economic awareness. Breuer's style also progressed in terms of layout and organisational principles, with a shift towards prioritising all spaces in the dwelling, as opposed to just served spaces.