Eliel Saarinen – The Father of Lasting Architecture
Documentary trailer
Described as the foremost architectural conceptualist of the 20th Century, Eliel Saarinen practiced architecture as a fine art and his use of forms from nature, city-planning, design, and painting led him to be a champion of “Finland’s National Identity”. Eric Saarinen will lead an expert crew similar to the production of Eero Saarinen: The Architect Who Saw the Future.
Informed by the personal and professional letters of Eliel and Eero Saarinen, interviews, and historical archives, the film will embark on an extraordinary story of an iconic father of artistic and timeless architecture: Eliel Saarinen. In a 90-minute film, we will learn of his struggle for artistic expression and independence while under Soviet Rule. It was a struggle that coincided with the formative years of the nation of Finland. Eliel’s rebellious, forward thinking philosophies evolved into building a bridge to the forefront of international art circles, in 1900. He was practicing architecture as fine art. His use of forms from nature, city-planning, design, and painting led him to be a champion of “Finland’s National Identity” and establishing “Finnish National Romanticism” while they remained a Duchy under the Russian thumb until 1917.
Eliel Saarinen
His unique ability for networking with leading European talents followed him to America, where, joining forces with investor George Booth, he began in 1925 designing his AIA gold medal winning masterpiece: Cranbrook School for Boys in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. After designing Kingswood School for Girls in 1931, he served as President of Cranbrook Academy of Art from 1932 until 1946. Finally, his city planning abilities were recognized in one of the best art schools in the US. His powerful influence, combined with the unique learning environment at Cranbrook, attracted the most influential architects, designers, painters, and sculptors of the time to join him during the heady years at the Academy . We also learn about the fierce father-son relationship between Eliel and Eero through primary sources, letters, and correspondence.
The “family tree” of architects that either studied directly under Eliel or indirectly through Eero, spread worldwide. Tenets of his design philosophy were equally influential: “always consider the next biggest thing” (a chair in a room, a room in a house); “strive to be forward thinking (use of materials, new technology); and “always consider the design’s future use” (expansion, modularity, sustainability). The goal is to enhance and inspire man’s life through design. Answers to design problems can be found in nature. “Never imitate anyone, especially yourself” is a mandate which demands a personal emotional expression of the artist from within. Finally, “get the best people around you, and work together!” Eliel saw architecture as a collaborative medium. In today’s terms, Eliel saw the supervising architect as not only the “Composer” but the “Conductor of the Symphony” for every project.