Walter Gropius

The direct influence of International Style modernism increased hugely when several of the European leaders of the movement arrived in the United States.

Walter Gropius was the architect of his own house at Lincoln, Massachusetts (1937). A fine example of International Style design, it has a typical flat roof, large glass areas, and such details as an entrance supported by tubular columns, an external spiral stair, and generous use of glass block.

The white walls are, surprisingly, not of concrete or stucco but of wood boards typical of vernacular New England building. The interiors are of elegant simplicity and display many pieces of furniture by various members of the modern movement. The house is now landmarked and open to visitors.

to increase – возрастать, увеличиваться

entrance -вход

to support – поддерживать

tubular -трубчатый

external -внешний

spiral – спиральный, винтовой

generous -щедрый

concrete -бетон

stucco -штукатурка

vernacular -просторечный

landmarked – знаковый

2. Find the English equivalents in the text:

прямое влияние, лидеры движения, прекрасный пример, плоская крыша, такие как, трубчатые колонны, винтовая лестница, деревянные доски, типично для, элегантная простота, открыт для посетителей.

3. Answer the questions:

1. When did the direct influence of International Style modernism increase?

2. What is Walter Gropius?

3. What typical details did he use in his house?

4. What building materials did he use for the outside part of his house?

5. How can you characterize the interior design of his house?

6. Is it a living house now?

4. Speak about one of the outstanding figures in the interior design and his achievements. The following words and phrases may help you:

to be a well-known designer/architect, to be famous for, to stand out as the inventor of, to be the first to use, to introduce, to make use of, to develop, to influence.

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