How a TB Pandemic Helped Shape Modernist Architecture
Doctors prescribed sun, air and the outdoors for tuberculosis patients... and it influenced Modernist architecture
Rebecca Gross
3 August 2020
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design, and I study cultural history through the lens of architecture, design and visual culture. I have a Masters in the History of Decorative Arts and Design from Parsons The New School for Design, New York. My latest book is called "Ornament is not a crime: Contemporary Interiors with a postmodern twist."
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design,... More
Early 20th-century Modernism emerged hot on the heels of a tuberculosis epidemic. It was the leading cause of death at that time, the ‘robber of youth’, and those who could afford it 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.
A 19th-century Victorian interior; image by Wikimedia Commons user Jorge Royan
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 numerous pandemics around the world. This spurred the need for new plumbing and sewer systems as well as new zoning laws to prevent congested living.
Tuberculosis and pneumonia were among the leading causes of death in the early 1900s in countries such as the USA, England, Wales and Australia. At this time, people typically lived in Victorian-era housing and tenement buildings. These homes had heavy wood or upholstered furniture; carpet, fabric and long drapes; and a clutter of objects. Small windows limited access to natural light and ventilation, and joinery details proved to be great dust catchers.
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 numerous pandemics around the world. This spurred the need for new plumbing and sewer systems as well as new zoning laws to prevent congested living.
Tuberculosis and pneumonia were among the leading causes of death in the early 1900s in countries such as the USA, England, Wales and Australia. At this time, people typically lived in Victorian-era housing and tenement buildings. These homes had heavy wood or upholstered furniture; carpet, fabric and long drapes; and a clutter of objects. Small windows limited access to natural light and ventilation, and joinery details proved to be great dust catchers.
Little Red of the Adirondack Sanitorium; image by Wikimedia Commons user Mwanner
Tuberculosis was highly contagious and isolation, like today, was the key to prevention. For those with tuberculosis, doctors prescribed rest, healthy eating, sunshine and fresh air. Many wealthier patients sought treatment in sanitoriums, such as Adirondack Cottage Sanatorium in Upstate New York, USA. This was the first rest home for tuberculosis patients in the US, established in 1885. Here, patients could be nursed back to health in an open, green and more rural environment; a strong contrast to dense and overcrowded urban conditions in the city.
Tuberculosis was highly contagious and isolation, like today, was the key to prevention. For those with tuberculosis, doctors prescribed rest, healthy eating, sunshine and fresh air. Many wealthier patients sought treatment in sanitoriums, such as Adirondack Cottage Sanatorium in Upstate New York, USA. This was the first rest home for tuberculosis patients in the US, established in 1885. Here, patients could be nursed back to health in an open, green and more rural environment; a strong contrast to dense and overcrowded urban conditions in the city.
The classic Adirondack chair was in many of the convalescent homes in the Adirondack Mountains in New York, as caregivers believed them to be well-suited for tuberculosis patients. They could sit outdoors and recuperate in the fresh air.
Does your home incorporate principles of wellness design? Find an architect near you on Houzz to discuss how you can transform your house into a healthy home
Does your home incorporate principles of wellness design? Find an architect near you on Houzz to discuss how you can transform your house into a healthy home
Villa Savoye 2015; image by Wikimedia Commons user LStrike
Sanatoriums were initially cottages in mountainous regions, however they evolved into purpose-designed buildings that would come to aid recovery and limit the spread of the disease. The treatment of tuberculosis and 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, as well as addressing other social issues, such as the need for low-cost housing and improving the standard of living for the masses.
Le Corbusier, for instance, was obsessed with illness and cleanliness, to the point that his Villa Savoye (pictured above) in France, designed in 1929, has a hand-washing sink adjacent to the entrance.
Sanatoriums were initially cottages in mountainous regions, however they evolved into purpose-designed buildings that would come to aid recovery and limit the spread of the disease. The treatment of tuberculosis and 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, as well as addressing other social issues, such as the need for low-cost housing and improving the standard of living for the masses.
Le Corbusier, for instance, was obsessed with illness and cleanliness, to the point that his Villa Savoye (pictured above) in France, designed in 1929, has a hand-washing sink adjacent to the entrance.
Villa Savoye, France – the terrace from the living room; image by Wikimedia Commons user Netphantm
Le Corbusier also viewed light and air as being therapeutic to the extent that flat roofs with roof gardens – as in Villa Savoye – became one of his ‘Five Points of Architecture’.
Le Corbusier developed his five points of architecture in the 1920s, providing a set of principles that informed his Modernist designs:
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 being therapeutic to the extent that flat roofs with roof gardens – as in Villa Savoye – became one of his ‘Five Points of Architecture’.
Le Corbusier developed his five points of architecture in the 1920s, providing a set of principles that informed his Modernist designs:
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 characterised by clean lines, white surfaces, large swathes of glass and indoor-outdoor living. While this has often been described as a ‘machine’ aesthetic, academics such as architectural historian, theorist and curator Beatriz Colomina (author of X-Ray Architecture) and dean of architecture at the University of Arkansas, Peter MacKeith, argue it is rather a hospital aesthetic and human-centred 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 longue 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 chair 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 longue 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 chair found in sanatoriums, which elevated the legs for circulation.
Paimio Sanatorium, Finland; image by Flickr user Leon Liao
In 1932, Alvar Aalto designed the Paimio Sanatoriom in Finland, which merged Modernism and healthcare. 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 too did the treatment of tuberculosis and other infectious diseases with the development of vaccines, antibiotics and antiviral drugs.
In 1932, Alvar Aalto designed the Paimio Sanatoriom in Finland, which merged Modernism and healthcare. 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 too did the treatment of tuberculosis and other infectious diseases with the development of vaccines, antibiotics and antiviral drugs.
Today, more than half of the world’s population lives in cities with the figure set to rise over coming decades. These urban populations spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors, even prior to the coronavirus pandemic.
Disease helped inform a new kind of architecture in the early 20th century, which still inspires contemporary architecture. Isolation then, and today, helps prevent the spread of infectious disease, such as coronavirus, and could influence the the design of houses and buildings, particularly as urban populations grow and developments increase in density.
More:
Watch India’s top architects discuss the Role of Architecture in a Post Pandemic World
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What did you find most interesting about this article? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
Disease helped inform a new kind of architecture in the early 20th century, which still inspires contemporary architecture. Isolation then, and today, helps prevent the spread of infectious disease, such as coronavirus, and could influence the the design of houses and buildings, particularly as urban populations grow and developments increase in density.
More:
Watch India’s top architects discuss the Role of Architecture in a Post Pandemic World
Tell us:
What did you find most interesting about this article? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
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I work in public health and was delighted to read this article. TB continues to be the greatest killer in many countries of asia and africa, where poorly designed housing in densely populated cities and towns is a major challenge. We need a grand challenge round for architects to address it.
Thanks for the article, I think it is important to consider health in design. Especially with what is happening now.
Perhaps the open floor plan is not the optimal design for homes when multiple people are at home, working, and possibly sick.