Author Archives: Mujun

In Class Writing #2

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Q: What are the origin of the international style? Who lead it and how it expended?

 

A: The international style was born in Western Europe in the 1920s School of Bauhaus. From the precedent breaking work of noted architects le Corbusier in France, and Walter Gropius and Mies van Der Rohe in Germany. Many of European architects came to the United States in the period preceding World War II and bringing the ideas about modern design and expended here.

 

Q: How can we identify if a building is international style. What characteristic does it consists of?

 

A: International style consist a new modern form that is rectangular and often with round projections. Most of the international style building are flat roof with lack of ornamentation or decorative details. Many of the building use ribbon windows and curtain walls of glass. Cantilevered projections. Covered with smooth wall surfaces and asymmetrical facade for its modern look. International style building are meant to be design for any urban city.

 

Q: Names of building heavily influenced with international style movement in New York City.

 

A:  In the early movement of international style. we have film guide cinema by Frederick John Kiesler in 1929 and McGraw-Hill building by Raymond Hood in 1931. However. which building heavily influenced and known for international style are buildings like Lever building by SOM in 1952 and Seagram building by Mies Van Der Rohe in 1958.

In Class Writing #1 on Downtown Brooklyn Trip

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Name: Appellate Division, NY State Supreme Court, Second Judicial Department

Address: 45 Monroe Place

Location: Brooklyn Heights

Year Built: 1938

Architect: Slee & Bryson

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court house definitely catch your eye when you visiting the neighborhood of Brooklyn Heights. Why? Not only because it is beautiful architecture. Also because it’s a courthouse located middle of a residential neighborhood. During our class trip. We passed by mansions built for the rich, the fine apartment buildings and elegant churches. It’s a beautiful Limestone clad with a granite base. It has a pair of large Doric Columns at the front entrance and other Classical Details. You can notice some Elements of Art Deco (which tells us the age of the building): The Bronze Doorway and Grillwork are shining and react to the sunlight. The Limestone and Granite used to construct this building cannot be find anywhere else. It’s really beautiful. And light colored. Truly a beautiful and simple design.

New York: City of Dreams

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Born here, raised elsewhere, I know so little about New York until me came back for junior high school. New York City is known for city never sleeps, a place where all dreams come true.

 

Living here for over ten year, I have been moving place to place, my first impression to New York City was poor rated. My uncle picked me up from JFK and our first trip was to stop by Chinatown for welcome dinner, I fall sleep on the way there due to jet lag. I couldn’t believe it was part of Manhattan, I wanted to go back to Shanghai.

 

Elmhurst, Queens. Where I first residence with my family, Near 74st Train Station. I was excited to jump on subway of NYC to experience it. I was disappointed again, it was not as cool as it seem from the movie. (Before renovation) my mother worked hard in helping expending family business in Brooklyn, so my first visit to Brooklyn is where all the warehouse was located. We moved to Bayside about two year later. It was a very quiet and beautiful neighborhood, with a possible commute distance to New York City. This was the turning point when I fall in love with this city. I started to view two city in comparison. If shanghai is a young teen age girl. Then New York is the wised lady, both attractive yet one with amazing history retained from times. Shanghai will not have as many little quiet villages as New York City.

 

We moved further away from city as my mother wanted me to be isolated from night life this amazing city have to offer. I learn to explore public transportation system of New York. Took LIRR from Great Neck directly to Penn Station every weekend. I enjoy interact with peoples. We were all different in cultures and backgrounds. We all share the same love to this amazing city.  I would go Chinatown and little Italy for food, soho and 5th avenue for shopping. Enjoy a relaxed weekend in central park. Public lectures in uptown. What I love the most about New York is the Public Library System; from queens to long island, no matter where I moved to, library is always around for the community.

 

Studying Architecture allow me to understand New York’s history better, appreciate more. Yet, do I really know about New York. New York have more then what we imaging to offer, I would devote myself to pursue my dreams here and be a proud New Yorker.