English Renaissance

Between the Tudor and Georgian times, English furniture went through a number of changes. Each one had its own style and background. During the Tudor era, which ran from 1485 to 1603, furniture was made of wood and was big and plainly carved. The influence of medieval traditions was manifest in pieces like stools, benches, and large, imposing four-poster beds. Starting in the late 16th century, as the Renaissance really began to take hold, the Elizabethan era, which spanned from 1558 to 1603, moved towards pieces that were even more ornate. Intricate carvings on furniture included strapwork and geometrical designs, and items in fashion included long dining tables and panel-back chairs, which showed both Renaissance and Gothic undertones.

The Jacobean period, 1603–1625, refined the taste with an increasing use of classical design elements and improved joinery methods. Furniture became more sophisticated, and pieces such as gateleg tables and high-back chairs demonstrated innovation and luxury. By the Georgian era, 1714–1830, English furniture had developed to incorporate elegance and symmetry. The period was typified by lighter, more delicate proportions, influenced by classical forms and the work of prominent designers like Thomas Chippendale. Upholstered chairs, serpentine-fronted dressers, and pedestal tables inlaid with exotic hardwoods became popular, a reflection of the influence of the middle class and the rise of the refined tastes in furniture design. The periods set the stage for modern furniture design, which marries practicality with art.

One Step Further 

Santiago Calatrava is a world-renowned architect and structural engineer. His art begins with integrations from the fields of engineering and architecture, with frequent inspirations arriving in forms related to nature, the human form, and organic structures. This often produces buildings and bridges with fluid, sculptural shapes. Calatrava is known for the inclusion of kinetic features in his structures, including movable roofs and bridges. He also employs light and steel with white concrete to achieve lucid and airy spaces. Some of the famous works are the Palace of Arts, Valencia; Liège-Guillemins Railway Station, Belgium; and Milwaukee Art Museum, where one can see the use of engineering with creative aesthetic design. His influence remains a driving force in pioneering the future of architecture combined with engineering and sculpture, finding its mark in a new breed of architects. His works keep showing a dedication not only to technology but also to an artistic expression that today makes him one of the most representative personalities of contemporary architecture.