Frederick Kiesler (1890 – 1965)

Frederick Kiesler first gained recognition in 1925 when he designed City in Space. 
 It was a large grid like construction for the International Exposition of Decorative Arts in Paris. 
 “Its straight lines and flat planes joined at right angles embodied the utopian belief that simple geometric forms in art would help facilitate a more rational and egalitarian society.” 

A hanging suspension of space really does exploit steel construction.  It is panels suspended and beams without supports…Kiesler described it as “…System of tension in open space”.  Through this exhibition Kiesler was able to express his ideas on ‘mega city’ visionary:

“The country city: the division of city and country will be abolished
The time city: time is the measure of organisation of its space
The space city: it floats freely in space in a de-centralised federationdictated by the ground formationThe automatic city: the processes of daily life are mechanised.
[…] we want:
1. Transformation of the surrounding area of space into cities.
2. Liberation from the ground, abolition of the static axis.
3. No walls, no foundations.
4. A system of spans (tension) in free space.
5. Creation of new kinds of living, and, through them, the demands which will remould society.”

One things that I truly find ironically quite tasteful is the fact that the materials are raw.  In the sense that they are not plastered over, or have any varnishings or finishing touches applied to them, they just are what they are… and maybe this is what gives them a real industrial feel…?   I feel this peice of architecture really celebrates this feature.