Modern Architecture
Architecture
How the Tuberculosis Pandemic Helped Shape Modernist Architecture
Doctors prescribed sun, air and the outdoors for tuberculosis patients — and that influenced a new style of architecture
Early 20th-century modernism emerged hot on the heels of a tuberculosis epidemic. Tuberculosis was the leading cause of death at the time, the “robber of youth,” and those who could afford to sought treatments in sanatoriums, where they had access to the curative effects of sunlight, fresh air and the outdoors.
Modernist architects, influenced by the times in which they lived and including luminaries such as Le Corbusier and Alvar Aalto, were obsessed with illness and developed a new type of architecture that incorporated sun, air, the outdoors and a more hygienic way of living.
Modernist architects, influenced by the times in which they lived and including luminaries such as Le Corbusier and Alvar Aalto, were obsessed with illness and developed a new type of architecture that incorporated sun, air, the outdoors and a more hygienic way of living.
Little Red cottage at Adirondack Cottage Sanitarium, New York. Photo by Mwanner
Tuberculosis is highly contagious, and isolation was the key to prevention. Doctors prescribed rest, healthy eating, sunshine and fresh air for those with tuberculosis. Many wealthier patients sought treatment at sanatoriums, such as Adirondack Cottage Sanitarium in upstate New York. This was the first rest home for tuberculosis patients in the U.S., established in 1885. Here, patients could be nursed back to health in an open, green and rural environment instead of in the dense urban conditions of the city.
Tuberculosis is highly contagious, and isolation was the key to prevention. Doctors prescribed rest, healthy eating, sunshine and fresh air for those with tuberculosis. Many wealthier patients sought treatment at sanatoriums, such as Adirondack Cottage Sanitarium in upstate New York. This was the first rest home for tuberculosis patients in the U.S., established in 1885. Here, patients could be nursed back to health in an open, green and rural environment instead of in the dense urban conditions of the city.
The classic Adirondack chair was in many of the convalescent homes in the Adirondack Mountains of New York, as caregivers believed them to be well-suited to tuberculosis patients.
Villa Savoye, France. Photo by LStrike
Though sanatoriums began as cottages in mountainous regions, they evolved into buildings designed to aid recovery and limit the spread of the disease. The treatment of tuberculosis and the design of sanatoriums influenced the development of modernist architecture, particularly that conceived by architects such as Le Corbusier, Mies van der Rohe and Alvar Aalto.
They wanted to create a new form of architecture that helped prevent tuberculosis. They also wanted to address other social issues, such as the need for low-cost housing and an improved standard of living for the masses.
Le Corbusier was obsessed with illness and cleanliness, to the point that his 1929 Villa Savoye in France, seen here, has a hand-washing sink adjacent to the entrance.
Though sanatoriums began as cottages in mountainous regions, they evolved into buildings designed to aid recovery and limit the spread of the disease. The treatment of tuberculosis and the design of sanatoriums influenced the development of modernist architecture, particularly that conceived by architects such as Le Corbusier, Mies van der Rohe and Alvar Aalto.
They wanted to create a new form of architecture that helped prevent tuberculosis. They also wanted to address other social issues, such as the need for low-cost housing and an improved standard of living for the masses.
Le Corbusier was obsessed with illness and cleanliness, to the point that his 1929 Villa Savoye in France, seen here, has a hand-washing sink adjacent to the entrance.
Villa Savoye, France. Photo by Netphantm
Le Corbusier also viewed light and air as therapeutic, to the extent that flat roofs with roof gardens — as at Villa Savoye — became one of his Five Points of Architecture. He developed these five principles in the 1920s, and they informed his modernist designs. They are:
1. The pilotis (columns or piers) elevate the building’s mass off the ground.
2. The free ground plan allows for flexible living.
3. The facade is free of structural constraints.
4. Long, horizontal windows provide the interior with even light and views.
5. The garden on a flat roof provides a domestic purpose and protects the concrete roof.
Le Corbusier also viewed light and air as therapeutic, to the extent that flat roofs with roof gardens — as at Villa Savoye — became one of his Five Points of Architecture. He developed these five principles in the 1920s, and they informed his modernist designs. They are:
1. The pilotis (columns or piers) elevate the building’s mass off the ground.
2. The free ground plan allows for flexible living.
3. The facade is free of structural constraints.
4. Long, horizontal windows provide the interior with even light and views.
5. The garden on a flat roof provides a domestic purpose and protects the concrete roof.
Early modernist architecture was characterized by clean lines, white surfaces, large swaths of glass and indoor-outdoor living. While this has often been described as a “machine” aesthetic, academics such as Beatriz Colomina, an architectural historian, theorist, curator and author of X-Ray Architecture, and Peter MacKeith, dean of architecture at the University of Arkansas, argue that it is rather a hospital aesthetic and human-centered perspective. Indeed, this interior helped foster a lighter, airier, more open and hygienic environment.
Modernist furniture design also contributed to this. Made with materials such as stainless steel and leather, furniture was raised on legs, making it easier to move, clean and see around.
Reclining chairs, such as the LC4 chaise lounge designed in 1928 by Le Corbusier, Charlotte Perriand and Pierre Jeanneret, also appeared more frequently at this time and with a distinctly modernist aesthetic. They were inspired by the reclining chairs found in sanatoriums, which elevated the legs for circulation.
Modernist furniture design also contributed to this. Made with materials such as stainless steel and leather, furniture was raised on legs, making it easier to move, clean and see around.
Reclining chairs, such as the LC4 chaise lounge designed in 1928 by Le Corbusier, Charlotte Perriand and Pierre Jeanneret, also appeared more frequently at this time and with a distinctly modernist aesthetic. They were inspired by the reclining chairs found in sanatoriums, which elevated the legs for circulation.
Paimio Sanatorium, Finland. Photo by Leon Liao
In 1932, Aalto designed the Paimio Sanatorium in Finland, which merged modernism and health care. The building incorporated balconies and oversize windows for views, light and air. Aalto also designed the interiors, furniture and fixtures to aid patients’ healing.
As the 20th century advanced, so did the treatment of tuberculosis and other infectious diseases through the development of vaccines, antibiotics and antiviral drugs.
In 1932, Aalto designed the Paimio Sanatorium in Finland, which merged modernism and health care. The building incorporated balconies and oversize windows for views, light and air. Aalto also designed the interiors, furniture and fixtures to aid patients’ healing.
As the 20th century advanced, so did the treatment of tuberculosis and other infectious diseases through the development of vaccines, antibiotics and antiviral drugs.
Today, more than half the world’s population lives in cities, with that figure set to rise in coming decades. These urban dwellers were spending about 90% of their time indoors even before the coronavirus pandemic.
In the early 20th century, disease helped inform a new kind of architecture that continues to inspire architects today. Isolation, then and now, helps prevent the spread of infectious diseases such as COVID-19, and it could well influence the design of our future homes and buildings, particularly as urban populations grow and density increases.
Tell us: How do you think home design might change as a result of the pandemic? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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In the early 20th century, disease helped inform a new kind of architecture that continues to inspire architects today. Isolation, then and now, helps prevent the spread of infectious diseases such as COVID-19, and it could well influence the design of our future homes and buildings, particularly as urban populations grow and density increases.
Tell us: How do you think home design might change as a result of the pandemic? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Read other stories on architecture
Browse photos for inspiration
Throughout history, epidemics have influenced the design of our houses, buildings and cities. In the 1800s, unsanitary and overcrowded conditions contributed to the spread of cholera, causing several pandemics. This spurred the need for new plumbing and sewer systems, as well as new zoning laws to curb congested living.
Tuberculosis and pneumonia were among the leading causes of death in the early 1900s in the United States, England, Wales, Australia and elsewhere. At this time, people typically lived in Victorian-era housing and tenement buildings. These homes contained heavy wood and upholstered furniture, carpeting, long draperies and an abundance of objects and accessories. Small windows limited access to natural light and ventilation, and intricate woodwork accumulated dust.