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1. Introduction
Modernity as a lifestyle has started to of human being, for that, it influenced highly by
construct its features through enlightenment era the new trends. The crystal palace, which
and had manifested as a fundamental issue constructed in 1851, represents the first Avant-
where the age of machine was begun. The grade example of using new construction
phenomenon of Modernity embodied in a
broad spectrum of knowledge and behaviors *Corresponding Author:
socially, culturally and economic. Architecture Department of Architecture, Girne American University, Turkey
Might consider the most physical appearance E-mail address: farhanali@gau.edu.tr
JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY URBAN AFFAIRS, 2(1), 1-12 / 2017
material such as concrete, glass and steel and 1.1. The modernity, modernism and modern
chronically, it was the first embody of modern architecture
architecture. In the early years of twenty The enlightenment age highlighted the
century, many architects Fed up with the social attitude to adopt new thoughts and
decorative Art Nouveau architecture and the lifestyle, and unfolded a desire for change and
limited horizon of the regional architecture that looking for a modern way of living. Whereas
prevailed in that period. "Modernity is what gives the present the specific
As they were carrying avant-garde ideas, those quality that makes it different from the past and
architectural approaches were no longer able points the way toward the future. Modernity is
to accommodate future of vision toward global also described as being a break with tradition,
modernity. Le Corbusier was the forefront of and as typifying everything that rejects the
those architects wherein 1923; he declared his inheritance of the past."(Heynen, 1999, p.9)
five principles (the pilotis, the free plan, the free famously Walter Benjamin defined modernity as
façade, the horizontal ribbon windows and the ‘the world dominated by its phantasmagorias’.
roof garden) which were the keystones of the (Frisby, 2004, p.13) This avant-garde and conflict
Avant-garde language. viewpoint with tradition had developed and
Rationality and functionality were the most spread increasingly at the machine age which
obvious characters of modern architecture. inspires the artists and architects as such as the
These features have many aesthetic values, economists and politicians. The modernity
which distinguish the Avant – grade movement progressed and theorized to be a
architectural discourse such as abstraction, philosophical doctrine; (modernism) which
purism, and Simplicity. "refers to an international tendency that came
Le Corbusier was not just the forefront and to expression in western literature, theatre,
pioneer modernist architect; he is also the most music, visual arts and architecture in the latter
influential figure on successive generations of half of the nineteenth century, and continued
architects. Whereas Modern architecture did to dominate twentieth century art" (Frisby, 2004,
not limit to certain geographic boundaries, but p.23)
it has spread all over the world and Cyprus was With The crystal palace, which constructed in
not an exception. Due to most of the Cypriot 1851(figure 1) that recognized as the ancestor
pioneer architects were studied in Europe; of Modern architecture evidence, a new
Cyprus was the incubator that has many generation of construction manners and
architectural distinctive pieces of evidence of concepts, meanings and technology was
modern architecture. The works and principles begun.
of Le Corbusier have affected those architects Richard Lucae, published an article at 1869,
on many levels, functionally, formally, titled “On the Meaning and Power of Space in
aesthetically and technically. Architecture.” He described the crystal palace
This influence is the core of this research paper as "a “piece of sculpted atmosphere” in which
to detecting how it contributed in highlighting light fills the whole space with a “beautiful
the aesthetic values of modern dwelling naturalness,” a “magically poetic form of
architecture in Cyprus. And more deeply, the light.”." (Mallgrave, 2005, p.197)
study focuses on two cases study as
distinguishable examples of privet residences.
from the last century, the modern architecture So much the worse for those who lack
had viciously attacked from the angry young imagination) (Le Corbusier, 1927) all were
architects that felt the pioneers had let them constructed a common understanding of the
down and they were becoming graying purpose of the modern architecture.
establishment figures. "Only Le Corbusier The modern architect believes in simplicity in
remained truly inspirational to young form, clarity in plan and functionality in design.
architectural “rebels.” He had no qualms about The modern architectural product is
revising his principles until they were characteristically free of decoration and
unrecognizable. He now offered what would unnecessary elements. The goals of the project
become known as a “New Brutalism” of raw, are clarified at the start, and only the features
shuttered concrete, exposed brickwork, and that are required are included in the design. The
primitive, handcrafted-looking building focus will be on the space itself, rather than on
techniques." (Sadler, 2004, p.40) Those any decor or details not relevant to the overall
architects tried to regain their confidence in the design. Also the Emphasis on the honesty of
architecture of modernity and re-arranging the materials, there is nothing to hide, the true
papers to draw lessons. "Under the youthful nature of the Materials especially the concrete,
leadership of figures such as Alison and Peter are shown in the ordinary form. Inner workings of
Smithson from England and Aldo van Eyck from the building tend to be visible: beams and other
Holland, their discussion group Team 10 and structural elements are exposed to the
practices like France’s ATBAT, the supposed spectator. Moreover, the linear elements,
founding principles of Modernism were revisited rectangular forms and bold horizontal and
in a “Brutalist” manner and new attention was vertical features especially the windows,
paid to local rather than universal constraints. staircases, rooflines, and other structural
Put another way, it was possible to be in some elements all contribution the architect in
way “avant-garde” again." (Sadler, 2004, p.40) creating a linear-inspired open plan. Modern
Especially that many opponents have found a architecture is also characterized by an
chance to ruins on the concepts and principles emphasis on Layout and location, which are the
of modernism after criticism suffered by the keys to modernist design. Building such as
modern city on the urban and social level. Chapel de Ronchamp (1955) by Le Corbusier
and the falling water house by Frank Lloyd
1.1.1 . Characteristics of modern architecture Wright are marvelous evidence on the
The first generation of modernists was correlation between the building and site.
contributed in constructing a theoretical
framework of their attitude to enrich the 1.1.2 Le Corbusier and his principles
architectural knowledge and encourage the It is impossible to research the architecture of
young architects to adopt the Avant-garde the twentieth century and of our own time
movement. In their contribution, they portrayed without first coming to terms with Le Corbusier
the features and characters of modern (1887–1965). His buildings can be found from
architecture. The functionality of Luis Sullivan Paris to Algeria to the Punjab and his influence
(form follows function), the simplicity and has extended over numerous generations
economic of Ludwig Mies Van Der Roch (less is worldwide. Famous building such as the Villa
more) and the openness, formality and Savoye at Poissy 1931, the Chapel of Notre-
abstraction of Le Corbusier (mass and surface Dame-du-Haut at Ronchamp 1955, Unité
are the elements by which architecture d'habitation, Marseille, France, 1945 and the
manifests itself. Mass and surface are Parliament Building in Chandigarh 1955 stand
determined by the plan. Plan is the generator. assessment with the works of any age. As well as
2
Retrieved from:
http://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/aesthetic_2#aest
hetic_2__2
derive from Le Corbusier’s purist aesthetics and This paper will discuss the influence of Le
revolve around his definition of architecture as Corbusier from different viewpoints related all
“the masterly, correct and magnificent play of with the aesthetic values of Le Corbusier's
masses brought together in light. (Mallgrave, architectural discourse. First, the formal
2005, p.256) aesthetics, second the free plan organization,
third, the structural aesthetics, fourth, the
2. Le Corbusier influence on the technical solutions and finally, the details scale.
modern architecture in Cyprus Focusing on two residential cases study
Cyprus is the third largest island in the designed by Neoptolemos Michaelides.
Mediterranean, it locates at the southeastern
edge of the Mediterranean, at the crossroads 2.1. Neoptolemos Michaelides dwelling
of Europe, Asia, and Africa, Cyprus has had projects:
many different cultures constructed on the Neoptolemos Michaelides (1920-1993) is an
island throughout history where many people important representative of the modern
passed through. In Cyprus, the past lives side- movement in Cyprus, with a strong personal
by-side with the present in a unique fabric. The style. He studied in Milan at the beginning of the
classical architecture of Cyprus has the same 40’s, under great architects like Gio Ponti and
variety, which originated to the cascade Bruno Zevi. He returned to Cyprus after the end
civilizations had passed there. Although Cyprus of World War II that standing excuse to interrupt
did not affect by industrial revolution so much, briefly his studies and turns in Cyprus until 1947.
regarding its location, which reflected He then returned to Milan to complete his
negatively on the development of the studies, turning in Cyprus in 1952 with the title of
infrastructure in every Cypriot city. Nevertheless, Doctor of architecture. In 1979, he founded the
modern architecture began to be made known Cyprus Architectural Heritage Organization, of
to Cyprus in the 1930s, when professional which it becomes the President, managing to
European- educated architects started to pass on to the architects of the 80s the love of
establish theirs applies on the island. In the folk architecture, thus saving several important
period from the end of World War II until 1960, buildings in both urban and rural areas. His own
modern architecture has been a distinctive private house in Nicosia is considered a
presence in Cyprus. Those architects were masterpiece, which exemplifies the peak of his
influenced by avant-garde movement in the creative career.
first half of twenty-century and the works of the Through his work, the architect achieved the
pioneers of modern architecture Especially Le harmonious coexistence of an environmentally
Corbusier. sensitive and climatically correct design, while
Although Unfortunately, Le Corbusier did not at the same time his architectural creations are
realize any project in Cyprus, However, more or of a high aesthetic level. (Michael, 2006)
less obvious traces of Le Corbusier can be
encountered in Cyprus from the 1930s onwards. 2.2 The Case Study
(Kiessel, M., 2014) 3 The research paper focuses on two cases study
as distinguishable examples of privet residences
the first one is the Neoptolemos and Maria
3
Direct and indirect influences of Le Corbusier on the architecture of residence, the second is Theotodos Kanthos
Cyprus; a paper presented by Marko Kiessel through A Swiss in the residence. The two examples were designed by
Mediterranean, International Le Corbusier Seminar, organized by the modernist Cypriot architect Neoptolemos
Cyprus International University – Nicosia. 2014 Michaelides at the middle of last century, both
of them are clear examples of the applying the
principles and aesthetic values of modern "It is worth noting the variety at play across the
architecture. villa's three stories. The parking spaces and
quests living areas at ground level contrast a far
2.2.1 Aesthetic values of Neoptolemos and more reserved second floor, the piano nobile,
Maria residence comprising living quarters for the owners. The
The family house, which Michaelides built for third floor, an isolated den for study, is crowned
himself and his wife Maria during the mid- by a beautifully articulated at the top slab
1960s, located in south part of Nicosia. It parabolic vault." 5
was designed to be used, except for In this house seemingly, N., Michaelides had
housing, and as a working space for himself influenced by Le Corbusier on efferent levels; on
and his artist wife. It also features a gallery the principles level, we could notice that he
space, where it would be exposed applied three of them: the pilotis, the open
paintings and other collections. The plan, and the free façade. On the formal level
importance attributed to the architect is also we could notice another Corbusian feature
evident in matters relating to natural light, is used; the vault slab which it appears Cleary in
as well as to the proper location and many building designed by Le Corbusier such as
orientation of the building. (Figure 5) Maison Jaoule and Villa Sarabhai before(figures
6, 7, 8,9).
4 5
Retrieved from http://www.coolhunting.com/design/helene-binet- Retrieved from http://www.cy-arch.com/neoptolemos-michaelides-
neoptolemos-michaelides house-in-nicosia-hadjivassiliou/
residence6
6
Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/petrosphokaides/