Michael Graves (1934 - 2015) was an American architect, university professor, and designer. His fame arose, mainly, for his outstanding participation in the movement known as postmodernism.
Graves was a professor at Princeton University for almost 40 years. Some of his most important works became iconic examples of postmodern architecture. Examples of this are the utility building in Portland, or the Humana Office Building in Kentucky.
Michael Graves, drawing by Pablo RiestraPablo Riestra, from Wikimedia Commons
Other notable examples of his work are in the expansion of the public library in Denver, and in various buildings for The Walt Disney Company.
Graves was also a representative of the currents of New Urbanism and New Classical Architecture, movements that maintain the essence of popular architecture.
Graves' recognition increased significantly from its association with Target and JC Penney retail stores in the United States, as well as with the Italian brand Alessi for the production of household goods.
Biography
the beginning
Michael Graves was born on July 9, 1934, in Indianapolis, Indiana. His parents were Thomas B. Graves and Erma Lowe. In 1952 he graduated from high school when he was 18 years old.
Graves then earned his BA from the University of Cincinnati School of Design in 1958, and a Master of Architecture from Harvard University in 1959.
From 1960 to 1962, he focused on the study of the great Roman buildings after winning the award from the American Academy in Rome. His exposure to these architectural structures became the first impetus for his separation from modernism, and was also evident in his later postmodern designs.
Race
Upon returning from Europe to the United States in 1962, Michael Graves accepted a teaching position at the School of Architecture at Princeton University. There he taught for almost four decades.
In the 1960s he took his first steps in architecture and these corresponded with the modernist movement: geometric volumes, without ornamentation and predominantly white, composed of clean and scattered lines.
His adherence to the principles of Modernism helped identify him in the late 1960s as one of the New York Five, a group of influential architects from the American East Coast, who unconditionally embraced the Modernist movement.
In the late 1970s, Graves began to break away from modernism. Then the search for a more diverse architectural repertoire began. He focused on designs more accessible to the public. Graves' defection from Modernism was made clear with his design for the Plocek House (1977) in Warren, New Jersey.
Postmodernism and design
In the late 1980s, Graves established himself as one of the most original figures in postmodern language. Executed architecture and design projects for clients around the world.
His design of tourist buildings for Disney in Orlando, Florida, and a hotel for Disneyland Paris helped to strengthen his reputation.
Graves began a long and successful association with the Italian cookware company Alessi. The famous stainless steel kettle that the architect designed in 1985 for this brand, became the company's best-selling product and is still in production.
In the early 1990s, Graves partnered with the famous Memphis group of designers, who sought to bring postmodernity to product and furniture design.
Then, in 1997, Michael Graves joined forces with the retail company Target to develop a line of kitchen products that ranged from toasters to spatulas. His attractive and affordable designs helped make Graves a world famous name.
Death
Michael Graves died on March 12, 2015, at his home in Princeton, New Jersey. He was buried in the Princeton Cemetery.
He was one of the most prolific and prominent American architects from the mid-1960s to the late 20th century.
Together with his team he designed more than 350 buildings for projects in various parts of the world. Her work has been recognized as influencing the styles of New Classical Architecture, New Urbanism, and Postmodernism.
Plays
In the early 1980s, Graves attracted extensive attention with the design of major public projects, including the Portland Public Services Building (also called the Portland Building) in Oregon, which was completed in 1982.
Despite its high status, the Portland building had a number of detractors, especially in the city itself. Many called for its destruction, alleging a host of problems, from its dark and dingy interiors, small windows, or repairs to water leaks in the structure.
Graves also stood out during 1985 for the creation of the Humana Building, known as the Human Tower, in Louisville, Kentucky. This became one of his most famous designs, often cited as a perfect example of postmodern architecture.
These and other structures designed by Graves at the time became famous for their huge facades and for their cubist interpretation of classical elements such as colonnades and loggias.
Although they were sometimes singled out as peculiar, these structures were hailed for their powerful and energetic presence in cities.
Among his most representative works are:
- Casa Benacerraf. Princeton, United States (1969).
- Center for Environmental Education. Jersey City, United States (1982).
- Portland Building. Portland, United States (1982).
- San Juan Capistrano Library. San Juan Capistrano, United States (1983).
- Humana Building. Louisville, United States (1985).
- The Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort. Orlando, United States (1987).
- Team Disney Buildind. Burbank, United States (1991).
- Denver Central Bookstore. Denver, United States (1995).
- Hotel Steigenberger. El Gouna, Egypt (1997).
- NCAA Hall of Champions. Indianapolis, United States (1997).
- 425 Fifth Avenue. New York, United States (2001).
- Ardent Residential and Post Properties Town Lake. Austin, United States (2009).
Awards and honours
His contributions to architecture and design were recognized on multiple occasions. Some of the most notable awards Michael Graves received were:
- National Medal of Arts, in 1999.
- Gold Medal from the American Institute of Architects, in 2001.
- Richard H. Driehaus Award for Classical Architecture, in 2012.
Also in 2014, the Michael Graves School of Architecture was established at Kean University in Union, New Jersey.
References
- En.wikipedia.org. (2018). Michael Graves. Available at: en.wikipedia.org.
- Anderson, C. (2018). Michael Graves - American architect and designer. Encyclopedia Britannica. Available at: britannica.com.
- Pogrebin, R. (2018). Michael Graves, 80, Dies; Postmodernist Designed Towers and Teakettles. The New York Times. Available at: nytimes.com.
- HAWTHORNE, C. (2018). Michael Graves dies at 80; pioneering figure in postmodern architecture. Los Angeles Times. Available at: latimes.com.
- Michael Graves. (2018). Michael Graves Architecture & Design. Available at: michaelgraves.