Behind the Veils of Modern Tropical Architecture

Pedro Guedes

doi:10.52200/63.A.7LQWCQXU

Authors

Pedro Guedes University of Queensland https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0254-7985

Downloads

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.52200/63.A.7LQWCQXU

Keywords:

Modern Movement, Modern architecture, Modern housing

Abstract

While orthodoxy was consolidating its hold on modern architecture in the 1930s, fresh new ideas from the periphery began to widen and question its limiting vocabulary. This study looks at projects emerging before the end of that decade that paralleled the much publicized work of Le Corbusier and Brazilian innovators in developing ideas for taming the sun in warm climates. The story focuses on a forgotten speech given in Rangoon which enthused about a soon to be forgotten but effective method of solar control and triggered a yearning for architecture widening its scope to engage with attributes of national identity.

How to Cite

Guedes, P. (2021). Behind the Veils of Modern Tropical Architecture. Docomomo Journal, (63), 6–17. https://doi.org/10.52200/63.A.7LQWCQXU

Published

2021-08-31

Issue

No. 63 (2020): Tropical Architecture in the Modern Diaspora

Section

Essays

License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Plaudit

Author Biography

Pedro Guedes, University of Queensland

Dr Pedro D'Alpoim Guedes's career has covered research, teaching and architectural practice as well as cross-disciplinary collaborations with designers in other fields. His PhD explored invention and innovation in the introduction of iron in buildings of the nineteenth century. Part of this work focused on colonial enterprise and the establishment of worldwide networks for the exploitation of resources and trade.

References

BLOC, André (Ed.), “France d’Outre Mer”, L’Architecture d’Aujourd’hui, Issue 3, September-October 1945, whole issue.

CASCIATO, Maristella, D’ORGEIX, Emilie (Eds.), docomomoJournal 28 - “Modern Heritage in Africa”, Paris, docomomo International, March 2003.

COLLINS, Darryl, “Vann Molyvann: Situating the work of Cambodia’s most influential architect”, Perspecta, Vol. 45, 2012, 77-88.Editorial & various regional features by different invited authors, “Commonwealth 2”, Architectural Review, Vol. 128, July 1960, 4-92.

FRY, Maxwell, DREw, Jane, Tropical Architecture in the Dry and Humid Zones, London, B. T. Batsford, 1964.

GOODWIN, Philip L., SMITH, G. E. Kidder, Brazil Builds: architecture new and old 1652-1942, New York, MoMA, 1943.

HENKET, Hubert-Jan, HEYNEN, Hilde (Eds.), Back from Utopia: The Challenge of the Modern Movement, Rotterdam, 010 Publishers, 2002.

LE CORBUSIER, “Problèmes de l’Ensoleillement: Le Brise Soleil... Conférence prononcée le 2 Juillet 1945, au Palais Chaillot”, Techniques et Architecture, Vol. 01-02, 1946, 25-28. [Whole issue on ‘eclairage (light)].

ROBSON, David, DASwATTE, Channa, “Serendib Serendipity: The Architecture of Geoffrey Bawa”, AA Files, Vol. 35, 1998, 26-41.

SHARP, Dennis, RENDEL, Sally, Connell, Ward and Lucas: Modern movement architects in England 1929-139, London, Frances Lincoln, 2008.

SHARP, Dennis, “The Modern Movement in East Africa: The work of Amyas Connell (1900-1980) in Tanganyika and Kenya with reference to the crisis of Decoration in Modern African Architecture”, Habitat International, Vol. 7, 1983, 311-326.

TOSTÕES, Ana, “Transcontinental Modernism: How to Find the Shortcut”, docomomo Journal 48 - “Modern Africa. Tropical Architecture”,Barcelona, docomomo International, 2013, 30-33.

VAGO, Pierre (Ed.), “France d’Outremer”, L’Architecture d’Aujourd’hui, Issue 3, March 1936, “Transcontinental Modernism: How to Find the Shortcut”.