2019 Round-Up: Our 5 Most Read Architecture Stories
- Words
- Steph Wade
From Berlin and Bali, to India and Australia, in 2019, trends in architecture were as varied as the places in which they were created. What unites them is how they impact our everyday lives—as no matter who you are or where you live, citizens on every continent are affected by architecture.
They say that what is old becomes new again, and in the case of architecture, there is no style that best exemplifies this phrase better than Brutalism. The renewed appreciation for the movement has taken hold around the world, and is indicative of a majority of our most read stories this year—including our two architecture guides, which were produced exclusively in-house. One sheds light on the famous works of Le Corbusier, the other depicts the best examples of Brutalist architecture in the city of Berlin. The stories below exemplify our readers’ interest in and affection for Modernist homes, Brutalist buildings, and the use of concrete as a primary material. Here are the five stories that defined our year: the churches, chapels, museums, and private homes whose designs are shaping the future of architecture.
1. IGNANT’s Guide To Le Corbusier’s 10 Most Significant Buildings
Arguably the most brilliant and controversial architect of the 20th century, Le Corbusier designed more than 300 buildings during his prolific career. Whatever project he worked on, be it private villas, mass social housing complexes, churches, or public monuments, Le Corbusier’s designs were always original. IGNANT selected ten of his most significant creations from around the world. Find the full list here.
Image © Wladyslaw
2. IGNANT’s Guide To Brutalism In Berlin
During World War II, many of Berlin’s most audacious works of modern architecture were destroyed; those that endured remain as some of the city’s most prized landmarks. In the decades after the end of the war, the city continually rebuilt itself, and is now known globally as the home to some of the most architecturally significant and historically irreplaceable buildings. In this guide to Brutalism in Berlin, we selected our favorite examples of Brutalist architecture in the city. To see the full collection, click here.
Image © Ollie Tomlinson
3. A Brutalist Home Set Amongst The Tropical Landscape Of Bali
Architecture studio Patisandhika and designer Dan Mitchell collaborated to design a Brutalist concrete home, nestled amongst the rice fields on the south coast of Bali, Indonesia. The arresting home is full of colors, textures, and an array of plants, with expansive windows that offer views of the tropical landscape that sits beyond the home’s perimeter. See the story here.
Image © Tommaso Riva
4. This Modernist Swimming Pool In The French Hills Is A Geometric Masterpiece
In the 1970s, French architect Alain Capeillères designed a stunning, white-tiled oasis pool for his summer home, located in the Côte d’Azur region in southern France. Just last year, the timeless property was documented for the first time by the Paris-based photographer Romain Laprade, who shared his collection of images with IGNANT for an architecture story that was well regarded by our readers. Read the story here.
Image © Romain Leprade
5. The Cloister House In Western Australia
The Rome and Perth-based studio MORQ was responsible for the thoughtfully designed concrete home, ‘The Cloister House’, located in Floreat, in Western Australia. Contrary to predominant design styles, the monolithic home looks inwards instead of out; and is structured around a paved interior garden to achieve a space of peace and privacy. Find the article here.
Image © Giulio Aristide
