from bauhaus to our house by tom wolfe

response

Tom Wolfe’s perception in the Bauhaus and the movement of Modern Architecture seems obstinate. First of all, it made me aware of the social associations behind the modernist architects in the history of modern architecture. However, there are times that made me doubt Tom Wolfe’s architectural background and knowledge because it seems that no architects were able to really please him, as evident in his continuously negative comments. Regardless of his attack I still appreciate modern architecture and its simplicity, and there were many fascinating architecture of glass and steel constructed during that period. Despite that, his insight in this book was quite persuasive. Occasionally, he did convince me to dissent with the movement of modern architecture. As much as I respect the architecture, I couldn’t help but feel that simultaneously it was also a reduction and limitation in the architectural scope of that era. On the other hand, the way Tom Wolfe had described Gropius, Mies van der Rohe and other elites of the Bauhaus whom had migrated from the World War to America as the “White Gods” has emphasized the fact that they were very influential people. They were powerful and ambitious enough to have completely transformed the architecture of America. Although having that in mind, it took me by surprise to have heard and read and witness the defeat of Frank Lloyd Wright by those almighty White Gods. Frank Lloyd Wright, at least in the present day, has been recognized as one of the most influential architects in American history. Therefore, as well as the domination of the great “International Style” I also feel confined within the non-bourgeois ideology. Especially since it had moved into America and had ceased anyone who had dared to think outside that steel and glass box, I felt it could be too “esoteric”, too profound for the audience and only the architects would understand.