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MICHAEL GRAVES POST MODERNISMMICRO TO MACROMADHUMITHA.R2010701008

BORN:July 9, 1934 in Indianapolis, IndianaEDUCATION:University of Cincinnati, OhioHarvard UniversityFellow at the American Academy in Rome New York Five: His work was exhibited with four other architects at The Museum of Modern Art in New York in 1969INFLUENCES ON HIS ARCHITECTUREArtistic capability as a childHis study in Rome classical natureUnavailability of job venture into furniture designParalyzed at an older age design with greater importance to accessibility Memphis club inspiration from Art Deco and Pop ArtSelf proclaimed as General practitioner as architect was a bit narrow for his creations

THE DOLPHIN AND SWAN HOTELS, FLORIDA.One of his playful buildings. Built for Walt Disney. Two hotels connected by a walkway over a lagoon. This is one building that feeds to the imagination of the viewers.

FEATURES:WATER: In the swan hotel, twinkling fountains on top of the large wings. In the dolphin hotel, water cascades five storey through five sea shells.

STATUES: Enormous 56 foot high statues of swan and dolphin, water creatures, that gives the buildings a sense of personality and also a sense of fun.

MURALS: Hand painted murals on the external walls. Waves on the swan hotel and banana leaves on the dolphin hotel. Almost 7000 custom painted murals in the rooms, hallways, public spaces

STREAMLINED INTERIORS: In his original design playful interiors by cabana style doors, peach and teal colours, floral shaped lamps and beach style furniture.14 years later the hotels asked for a more sophisticated look which resulted in the complete redesigning of the interiors.

CELEBRATION POST OFFICE, FLORIDA

The Post Office in Celebration was designed to be a place for people to gather and is conveniently located right next to the Town Hall.

The massing consists of two sections: A rotunda in the front and a rectangular block. The rotunda serves as the entrance and the rectangular open-air gallery where the mailboxes are located.(St Petersburg PO)

The design was intended to give the building an institutional character. The rotunda helps in announcing the presence of a small building beside the town hall. The rotunda and the circular window was inspired from the rice silos while the colours are typical of the Floridian architecture.

HOUSEHOLD ARTICLES:Graves was popular for his house hold articles and furniture as much as he was for his buildings. He custom designed the interiors for most of his buildings himself. He also designed jewellery, umbrellas, lamps, bathroom fittings, bottles, tables, knives, beds, and many other things. You name it and Graves would have given a try at it.

KETTLE:In 1984 he designed the bird kettle for Alessi which became so popular and took him to the peak of fame. With that kettle he also designed an entire set of cup and saucer, pitcher, tray and a pepper salt dispenser.

For him it represented the meeting of great design, mass production and easy reachability.

COFFEE MUGS:His design of the set of coffee maker and coffee mugs with rounded handles and metal frames was also a big hit in the homes.

COFFEE SET:Another of his famous articles is the Ladies Witherspoon watch which was inspired from the building Pal Robeson centre for the arts.

References:INTERNET LINKS:

http://architecture.about.com/cs/travel/a/swan.html

http://www.michaelgraves.com/architecture/project/united-states-post-office.htmlhttp://activerain.com/blogsview/58559/celebration-florida-post-office-designed-by-michael-graves

http://wikipaedia.com/Michael-Graves

BOOKS:

Michael Graves: Buildings and Projects 1966-1981

Encyclopaedia of 20th century architects