Another Leonardo da Vinci invention. Discovered in his notebooks and built from his drawings for a special exhibit in Venice, this represents one of the earliest known bicycles – dating from the mid 16th century.
This video makes famous the door mechanism at Paimio Sanatorium in Finland. It is designed by Alvar Aalto and was completed in 1932.
Aside from this Houseware Interior Action Moment, the examples of architecture based on Tuberculosis are astonishing. There are a few Spacial Cadets who have spent time in Colorado Springs and are familiar with the ubiquitous “window room” stuck onto the side of any “house” built in the early 20th century. Few other diseases have had such an impact on architecture at large and at the domestic level.
Here is an example of how those TB additions in the Spronx are used.
One may wonder how the International Style, the 30s ocean-liner style homes – aka Modernism – became so popular in climates totally unsuitable for terraces and flat roofs. Sunbathing became a popular homeopathic treatment during the early 20th century. Europe was emerging from the filthy industrial revolution and a run-down worker’s housing problem. Hygenic architecture with white and airy designs were seen as the saviour. The style flourished, partially for the progressive aesthetic, yet also in large part for the values of equality, the popularity of sunbathing and health benefits associated with air and sunlight.
The Zonnestraal Sanatorium by Jan Duiker. Completed in 1928.
Our friend, Coco Chanel, thought of sun tans de rigeur – required.