The Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century: The Devil is in the Details
MUNEERA ALSAGER
Every new day is a new challenge. The question is will we attempt to do something new or will we stick to the mundane routine? Every new day poses the question of: what will I accomplish today? Will I be productive or will I slack off? Every new day serves a new purpose whether it’s to rest, work, or relax. Yesterday, I slacked off causing me to fall behind in a class. Today, I finished half of my final project, making me ahead of things. If one day makes a difference, what does a century make? One hundred years composed of productive days results in massive improvement and development, which brings me to the time when the Eighteenth and Nineteenth-century came to be. Two different time periods that both carried out massive development, change, and success.
The Eighteenth-century was a time of growth that led architecture to innovate new methods and expand its creativity. It started out with the Rococo style, which is an extension of the Baroque period, where it was highly decorated and surrounded by painted walls and mirrors. Right after, came the Enlightenment period. A time of discovery, suspicion, and theory. Archaeologists documented the rich history of those that came before and studied sites, which were later published. This triggered great architectural innovations, improvements, and most importantly great accomplishments. This includes the Industrial Revolution and neoclassicism, which both posed a lot of controversies. The Industrial revolution was considered a “game-changer”. It introduced new materials and methods, which spread throughout Europe. Two types of iron were introduced: wrought iron, bendable iron used for iron railways, and cast iron, used for bridges. However, it proposed challenges. It increased the separation between engineering and architecture, and unfortunately, it still exists to this day. Not only that, but not everyone was pleased with the style, some even called it ugly and distressed. Neoclassicism, on the other hand, was a cultural movement that was derived from classical antiquity. It is characterized by its clarity of form, somber colors, and strong vertical and horizontal components that make it so timeless. Therefore, the Eighteenth century’s constant change in styles and theories drove innovators to develop new methods and expand on other ideas that lead to greater growth in architecture and the economy.
Although both periods have shown substantial advancements, the Nineteenth century introduced more exotic styles which were altered to suit the new technologies of its age. This eclectic period derived its characteristics from Greek and Gothic revivals and Renaissance designs that integrate innovative engineering processes and materials. The development of new materials called for new demands. At this point, mass production became available for many materials like glass, iron, and steel. Large-scale manufacturing has numerous benefits, for example, delivering a significant degree of accuracy, lower costs and fewer laborers, more elevated levels of proficiency, and brief dispersion. Furthermore, this time period offered a lot of long-term solutions and pioneered many innovations. Later in the Nineteenth century, high-rise buildings and elevators were introduced to the world that later resulted in the birth of skyscraper architecture. It was triggered by the continuous development of iron and steel. Some of the famous buildings that exemplify such development in that timeline would be the Crystal Palace and the Eiffel Tower. Both were global icons that turned heads. In terms of skyscrapers, Chicago’s Home Insurance Building was named the first steel-frame skyscraper in 1885. After the utilization of such methods and designs, America’s urban cities dominated such architecture which makes cities like New York and Chicago so intriguing. Hence, the Nineteenth century’s focus on technological and engineering developments not only created a whole new building aesthetic, but it helped make life and building so much easier.
Although both periods have introduced different ideas and styles to the world, they both contributed greatly to the transformation of a better world. As the world becomes older, it develops, however, what we don’t point out is that it gets even more complicated. Such development opens so many doors for opportunities but it even opens doors for complications. One example could be issues of race and class in the Eighteenth century that affected the world of architecture. Aside from the fact that women were not permitted to possess the job of an architect, women were a big part of architectural history. They were teachers, authors, designers, and much more. However, they were not praised or honored like men were doing such professions that women were forbidden to. Also, neighborhoods that were poverty-stricken were obvious to point out because of their poorly designed cities, as did their hospitals and public areas. The Nineteenth-century also posed other problems even when they were thriving after their many developments. Due to the influx of new methods and development, it was very hard to execute all projects so efficiently. Some buildings, especially in Chicago, collapsed due to errors in construction and engineering that either lead to them collapsing or lead to their demolition. Hence, with great development comes a lot of repercussions and responsibilities that are in need of great effort.
However, one might see these as failures, but I assure every single person that they are not. Without the suppression of women not being able to become architects, the women who have struck out and rebelled wouldn’t have made them as powerful and passionate. Without the ill-looking towns and cities of the poor, architects wouldn’t have had the drive or encouragement to fight for and create a greater and prettier community for them. Even with the substantially new methods that were introduced quickly came great consequences due to a lack of efficiency and research. However, without those mistakes, architects wouldn’t be as ambitious or skeptical to find new ways to fix those problems. As for the errors of our ways, we are bound to make mistakes. Without them how will we learn! It is fairly simple to create change by just one single step. Whether it is to wake up early in the morning or taking the long route home, these day-to-day “futile” decisions can change any aspect of life. But the real variable that decides everything is the drive and motivation that we need to make such a change in ourselves or in the world. Without the challenges that the world and its people have faced, there is no motive or drive to push them. Without that drive, great change will not be possible.
