Finnish American architect Eero Saarinen is known for his incredible neo-futuristic architecture and amazing furniture designs. Coming from a creative family, several of whose members were unsurpassed masters of their craft - architects, designers, painters and sculptors, became famous for his extraordinary vision of forms and dynamics. During his short life, the genius creator of the post-war period managed to create unique things and projects that are rightfully considered the golden fund of the architectural and design heritage of our time.
1. Kresge Auditorium in Cambridge (Massachusetts, USA)
The Kresge Auditorium in Cambridge, designed by Eero Saarinen, was an experiment in architectural form and construction. Thanks to the innovative research of the author of the project, it has become a worthy reflection of the direction of activity of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, famous for its innovative developments in various industries. The impressive work of sculptural engineering and architectural design serves as a meeting place for students and teachers. Kresge Auditorium was one of the first large-scale projects of Saarinen, which turned into a standard of courage, optimism, irrepressible energy of the revival of post-war America.
Technical features of Kresge Auditorium: The domed structure, which looks like one eighth of the surface of a sphere, is made of special concrete, reinforced with steel rods and covered with copper panels. The highest point of the dome is 15.2 m. The dome is 6 thousand square meters. m (if measured along the ground) is locked on only 3 supports. This became possible only due to the fact that the reinforced concrete dome is only 7.5-18 cm thick, where the greater value is at the edges. The facades of the building are fully glazed, which ensures unimpeded penetration of daylight.
2. Chapel of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT Chapel), located opposite the Kresge Auditorium, looks rather modest. Although the chapel's façade is a roughly textured, windowless brick cylinder, the door hides a mysterious and dramatic interior.
The circular skylight in the center of the chapel allows sunlight to enter and reflect off Harry Bertoya's metal artwork, transforming the interior into a special world. This arrangement of the interior creates an atmosphere that allows you to plunge into the subtle world of spirituality better than any prayers.
3. Terminal TWA at John F. Kennedy Airport (New York, USA)
The TWA Flight Center, or TWA Terminal, opened in 1962 at the new Idlewild Airport near New York, has made a lasting impression on the entire architectural world. Soon after the assassination of President JF Kennedy, the airport was named in his honor, which, together with the original shape of the dome, personifying the "abstract symbol of flight" and allowing literally "hover" above the ground, made it the most famous and popular flight center not only in New York.
Its "fluid" forms, smooth curved lines created from solid concrete and glass, as well as the openness of the interior, symbolizing constant movement, were so exciting and innovative that the building became not only a standard of large-scale construction, but also the most recognizable symbol of neo-futuristic monumental architecture. which gives a feeling of weightlessness and flight.
4. International airport. Dulles (Virginia, USA)
The main terminal of the International Airport. Dulles International Airport is the finest example of the futuristic shapes and dramatically curved lines that define Saarinen's work. According to the editors of Novate.ru, during the construction of this grandiose object, the iconic architect first tested the technology of creating a scale model, which simplified the assembly processes so much that Eero began to use it in subsequent projects. Thanks to this experiment, he was able to install a gigantic, gracefully curved roof, which provided a two-level organization of space and facilitated further expansion of the airport.
Interesting fact: The project, which the creator himself considers his best work, in 1966 received the First Prize of the American Institute of Architects - one of the most honorable awards of the professional community.
5. Memorial Arch in St. Louis (Missouri, USA)
Memorial Arch in St. Louis (Gateway Arch in St. Louis) or as it is also called "Gateway to the West" is a kind of monument to the western expansion of the United States and is dedicated to the American people. The fascinating object appeared after the International Competition, in which the project of Eero Saarinen was selected. The arch is 192 meters high with a base width of 192 meters (1963-1965) is still the tallest monument in the United States. Many experts doubted the reliability of the structure and made assumptions about the impossibility of building such a large-scale arch, but in 1965 the impressive structure with a sharp bend became the hallmark of St. Louis and one of the most recognizable landmarks in the United States.
Remarkable: To get to the observation deck located at the top of the arc, initially visitors had to climb more than a thousand steps. This was due to the fact that the country's elevator companies were unable to provide the elevator required by the project. 2 years after the opening, just before the author of the project passed away (a brain tumor did not give any chance to the 51-year-old genius), an ordinary engineer proposed an exclusive model of the lift. The innovator managed to combine the classic cable lift with the seats of the Ferris wheel booth, which is fixed on a gimbal suspension. Since then, visitors can take one of the most exotic elevators in the world to the observation deck inside the arch itself to enjoy fantastic views of the city and its surroundings.
6. Gallery of designer furniture models designed by the genius Eero Saarinen
Eero Saarinen was not only a talented architect, designer and innovator, but he could also recognize these qualities in others. Thanks to his intuition, the world saw fantastic beauty. Sydney Opera House Is one of the most impressive architectural complexes in the world. It was he, as the chairman of the jury of the International Competition for the Best Theater Project, who insisted on the concept of the little-known Danish architect Jorn Watson.