A movie sort of about modern architecture: Columbus

[GaryR]

About 30 miles from my new home is the town of Columbus, Indiana. About 50,000 people. Famous for two things: as the home of Cummins Engines, and a remarkable collection of modern architecture. Over 70 public and private buildings designed by world famous architects.

Columbus (the movie) is by Korean director Kogonada. It is a story mostly about family obligations seen from the perspective of Korean American Jin, estranged son of a respected Korean architect who is called to Columbus where his father is hospitalized after collapsing before giving an invited lecture. And seen from the perspective of Cassie, a young woman who dreams of being an architect but is afraid to leave her mother who is a recovering addict. ttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbus_(2017_film).

We just saw it a couple of days ago. It was filmed in Columbus and several of the buildings act as key characters in the story.

 

[Cabinetman]

I hope I’m not being unkind Gary, I Googled the Architectural features of Columbus, and I’m sorry to say it’s all a bit hard and stark and angular to my eye, one building was described as being brutal which is a bit of a brutal comment in itself.
( My own home town has nothing to commend it Architecturally after the Victorians did their best.)

 

[Mike G]

...... one building was described as being brutal which is a bit of a brutal comment in itself......

Brutalist is one of the styles of Modernist architecture. So being described as brutal is just to put something in a category.

It's important to say that there is a big difference between "Modernist" and "modern". Modernist was the prevailing architectural style of the mid 20th century.......1950s to say the late 1970s. I've never seen a Modernist building I like (nor any of the furniture of the era). "Modern" just means new or recent, so current buildings are modern, but definitely not Modernist. After Modernism came Post-Modernism, and there is now a somewhat lack-lustre attempt to categorise current cutting-edge design as Post-Post-Modern.

 

[Cabinetman]

Well, as I live I learn! Thanks Mike.

 

[GaryR]

Yes, modernist styles are not everyone's cup of tea. Brutalism in particular. What some see as simple, clean lines others find lifeless and sterile.

The neighbourhood I now live in has quite a few modern(ist) houses. Ours has some features but is not an extreme example. Just down the street, however, there is this, which I like a lot. The limestone facade with the strong horizontal lines is a reference to the local limestone industry. Many, many houses around here have limestone work in all different styles.



And here is another that I like.

 

[duke]

You are not alone in liking the style Gary, top photo of the home is attractive.

 

[Blackswanwood]

It’s intriguing how we all like different things. If I pulled up as a potential purchaser to view the top one I wouldn’t get out of the car as, to me, it looks like a primary school not a home. The second one looks quite attractive.

 

[RogerS]

Yes, modernist styles are not everyone's cup of tea. Brutalism in particular. What some see as simple, clean lines others find lifeless and sterile.

The neighbourhood I now live in has quite a few modern(ist) houses. Ours has some features but is not an extreme example. Just down the street, however, there is this, which I like a lot. The limestone facade with the strong horizontal lines is a reference to the local limestone industry. Many, many houses around here have limestone work in all different styles.

View attachment 34309

Must be a bit dark inside

 

[duke]

It’s intriguing how we all like different things. If I pulled up as a potential purchaser to view the top one I wouldn’t get out of the car as, to me, it looks like a primary school not a home. The second one looks quite attractive.

I also like the second home.