From Psychopath Lairs to Superhero Mansions: How Cinema and Modernist Architecture Called A Truce

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Chemosphere, by John Lautner - the architect whose work has been most used (and abused) by Hollywood. Photo © Joshua White/JWPictures.com

This article comes courtesy of ArchDaily friend Charlotte Neilson, the author of the fascinating design blog Casting Architecture, which discusses architecture and production design. Charlotte is not only a dedicated cinephile but also an honours graduate of the University of Newcastle, Australia.

We all know that psychopaths prefer contemporary design. Hollywood has told us so for decades. The classic film connection between minimal interiors and emotional detachment (see: any Bond adversary) or modern buildings and subversive values is well documented - and regrettable. The modernist philosophy of getting to the essence of a building was intended to be liberating and enriching for the lives of occupants. Hardly fair then that these buildings are routinely portrayed with villainous associations. 

What the representation of Modernist architecture in film tells us about our society, after the break...

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Cite: Charlotte Neilson. "From Psychopath Lairs to Superhero Mansions: How Cinema and Modernist Architecture Called A Truce" 19 Dec 2012. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/309220/from-psychopath-lairs-to-superhero-mansions-how-cinema-and-modernist-architecture-called-a-truce> ISSN 0719-8884

Chemosphere, by John Lautner - the architect whose work has been most used (and abused) by Hollywood. Photo © Joshua White/JWPictures.com

从精神异常者的巢穴到超级英雄豪宅:电影和现代主义建筑如何才能休战

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