| This thesis establishes a structured documentation of the chronologically progressive, additive influence of science, engineering, technology and ideology on the "modern built environment." Similar to the manner in which a building is constructed, the development of a "Modern Machine Aesthetic," with respect to architecture and concurrent phenomena, began with an industrial foundation in the Early Nineteenth Century and has "ended" in the Twentieth Century with a capping cornice called "Post-Modern Classicism." Between the basements of early iron and glass buildings, and the rooflines of modern architectural scenographics, there exist discernible strata, or floor plans, more complex than the categories established in written histories. The strata of design theories associated with mechanized society since the Industrial Revolution are inadequately served by stylistic and theoretical divisions which do not recognize numerous distinct stages of development. The following material presents an alternate, expanded matrix for Modern Architecture and the Machine Aesthetic. |
