Moving forward chronologically, the Eames’s began experimenting with fiberglass and plastics that would allow for compound curvatures, and the subsequent chair designs exhibited those geometries they considered inherent not just in the material, but in a combination of the material, its processing, and the final use of the object. The nuance variations of argument at each scale highlight the various forces that appear as scales shift. Urban design requires a response to social, political, and geographical forces resulting in arguments revolving around topological systems that can be applied at a large scale. Justifications quickly change their focus to materials, methods, program, and structure when the scale drops. Throughout the scales, while the particularities vary, the most prevalent concept used in justifying the curve surrounds function. Functionalist theory, while ironically agreed upon by both sides of the argument, acts as a nonconfrontational, tangible, and verifiable alibi. Defenders of the curve utilize these topics to combat rationalist accusations of arbitrariness. By responding with the same justifications the rationalist use to justify their lines, defenders of the curve are able to match apples to apples. Epistemological arguments are also introduced by defenders of the curve, although they were generally disregarded by the opposition for being incompatible with their root beliefs in universal design. Ultimately, the argument between the curve and the line was really one of universality versus specificity.
1
Mies van der Rohe “Mies Speaks: I Do Not Design Buildings.” Architectural Review, No. 862, December 1968: 452.
2 Behne, Adolf “No Longer Shaped Space But Designed Reality.” Modern Functional Building, CA, Getty Research Institute, 1996: 121. 3 Behne, Adolf “No Longer Shaped Space But Designed Reality.” Modern Functional Building, CA, Getty Research Institute, 1996: 111. 4 Blundell-Jones, Peter. Hugo Häring the organic versus the geometric. Stuttgart: Ed. Axel Menges, 1999: 40. 5 Mies van der Rohe “Mies Speaks: I Do Not Design Buildings.” Architectural Review, No. 862, December 1968: 452. 15