Eclecticism, selection or innovation

1. ECLECTICISM
Module: Design past and present
Raffles International Institute
April 2014, Sandra Draskovic

2. eclectic
Origin: late 17th century (as a term in philosophy): from
Greek eklektikos, from eklegein 'pick out', from ek 'out' +
legein 'choose'.
Interior/architecture: deriving ideas, style, or taste from a
broad and diverse range of sources, styles.
Example:“universities offering an eclectic mix of courses”
Philosophy: Denoting or belonging to a class of ancient
philosophers who did not belong to or found any recognized
school of thought but selected doctrines from various schools
of thought.

3. eklektikos, “selective”
“juxtaposition of elements and ideas from
different systems and styles risks a
fundamental incoherence”
“established styles are losing their novelty or
revealing their defects as changes of
historical circumstance or scientific
knowledge occur.”

4. “Eclecticism” is a name given to a group of
ancient philosophers who, from the existing
philosophical beliefs, tried to select the
doctrines that seemed to them most
reasonable, and out of these constructed a
new system. The name was first generally
used in the first century BCE.

5. There is a movement in the field of art called Eclecticism.
In spite of the fact that this art movement might not be
recognized as a separate style in the world of design, for
many people eclecticism is still perceived as a separate
and distinct movement. The first person who has brought
the term “eclectic” into the world is presumed to be
Johan Joachim Winckelmann (German art historian and
archaeologist.).
This term was used for the work of
Carracci, who created his painting
combining classical tradition with the
elements of Renaissance.

6. ECLECTICISM =
to combine or interpret elements or particular
styles from different time periods and different
origins within a single project in a rather harmony-
like manner, conceptual cohesive connectivity.
Taking interior décor as an example to illustrate the process of
eclectic style creation, it is necessary to say that an artist first
creates kind of a “skeleton”, which is then decorated and brought
into one piece of work.
Eclectic style is like a “pot” that includes many different elements
from the variety of styles that have exactly different beginning and
appeared in the different period within the history.

7. “Eclectic” is a word
that has become
rather ubiquitous.
It’s an easy way to
explain a look that
doesn’t fit into any
traditionally
defined molds.

8. For example, “eclectic”
could be used to describe
the stunning dining room,
although most of the
pieces belong to the
midcentury modern
aesthetic
- Platner chairs,
- a sputnik chandelier,
- an abstract table,
- painterly rug.
These items come together
in a room that most
definitely feels “eclectic”.

9. - Bergere chair,
- hand-painted
deGournay wallpaper,
- boxwood topiaries,
- warm wood finishes, and
- nailhead trim.
- modern Saarinen Tulip
Table.
After all, the Bergere chair
is upholstered in an
- abstract Madeline
Weinrib fabric,
the dining chairs are
upholstered in cerulean
leather.

10. An “eclectic” room can be
polished or rustic,
masculine or feminine,
stark in palette or swathed
in color and pattern.
The most defining factor
of an “eclectic” interior is
the mix.
Any interior, but especially
an eclectic one, is all about
the layers.
Layers of color, texture,
pattern, patina, and
styles, assortment of
pieces—items from
various eras and places.

24. Albert Hadley

25. Eclecticism is a conceptual approach that does not hold
rigidly to a single paradigm or set of assumptions, but
instead draws upon multiple theories, styles, or ideas to
gain complementary insights into a subject, or applies
different theories in particular cases.
The term eclecticism is used to describe the combination,
in a single work, of elements from different historical
styles, chiefly in architecture and, by implication, in the
fine and decorative arts. The term is sometimes also
loosely applied to the general stylistic variety of 19th-
century architecture after Neo-classicism and Historicism.
WHAT IS ECLECTICISM?

26. The eclectic style it is characterized by the fact that it
is not a particular style. It is the borrowing of a
variety of styles, ideas and theories, drawn from
different time periods and different origins and
combining them within a single project.
- A lot of efforts, thoughts, and creativity is necessary in order to
make the project in eclectic style look logically interconnected.
- More than just throwing everything together, eclectic design works
to make all these different styles work cohesively.
- Elements are thoughtfully connected with the other parts of the
style in the space.
- Colors, fabric and finish tend to be neutral to further help these
different influences come together and avoid the chaotic look with
the other features of the design.
HOW TO ACHIEVE?

27. 1. One can create a combination of all the different styles
such as Mission, Modern, Traditional, Country, Exotic,
Contemporary, Loft, Tropical, Retro 70s, Mediterranean,
Asian, Ethnic, Lodge, Neoclassical, and achieve amazing
results.
2. Eclectic mix one can simply overcome a stylistic
stagnation and innovate with interpretation of design
principles, colors, shapes, forms, textures, materials of a
style or movement and suit the interior to the needs and
personalities of their owners, be it a neo-classicist or new
age assortment or some contemporary hybrid.
APPROACHES?

28. APPROACHES?

29. APPROACHES?

30. APPROACHES?

31. APPROACHES?

32. APPROACHES?

33. APPROACHES?

34. APPROACHES?

36. APPROACHES?

37. APPROACHES?
Belgian interior designer Maxime
Jacquet , the penthouse, LA

38. APPROACHES?
High Rise Penthouse by Maxime Jacquet:
“The eclectic penthouse is like stepping into a dream world
fantasized by the young, and personifies the treasured
memories of the old. It is a breath of fresh air, even on the
nineteenth floor. The bazaar of designer blankets, vintage
furniture, neon signs, accents of antique cartoon murals and
even bear skin rugs, here all senses are nourished. There is
everything, luxury, casual comfort, vibrant energy, fashion, and
humor.
The design by Maxime Jacquet was clearly created to make one
feel completely unique and if you are a guest, you know this is a
once in a lifetime experience, in a marvelous space for you to
enjoy. You might as well be traveling in a time warp museum
enjoying champagne and macaroons.”

39. APPROACHES?
Belgian interior designer Maxime
Jacquet , the penthouse, LA

40. APPROACHES?
Belgian interior designer Maxime
Jacquet , the penthouse, LA

41. Belgian interior designer Maxime
Jacquet , the penthouse, LA
APPROACHES?

42. Belgian interior designer Maxime
Jacquet , the penthouse, LA
APPROACHES?

43. Belgian interior designer Maxime
Jacquet , the penthouse, LA
APPROACHES?

44. INTERPRETATIONS AND INVENTIONS
TRANSFORMATION
EXTRUSION
ROTATION
RE-SCALING
MIRROR
REPETITION
PLANES AND SURFACES
EXTRACTION
ADDING
MULTIPLICATION
CUT-OUT
MACRO
FOLDING
ESTABLISHING VOLUME
TRANSFIGURATION
DIRECTION
COMPOSITION
VARIATION
ANOMALY
LAYERING
MODIFICATION
SPATIAL MOULDING
LINEAR
DYNAMIC
SYMETRY
ASYMETRY
MODULE
PATTERN
INTERCONECTION
…

45. INTERPRETATIONS AND INVENTIONS
Barkow Leibinger, 2D:3D installation.

46. INTERPRETATIONS AND INVENTIONS
Architects: Barkow Leibinger, 2D:3D installation.
Playing with the concept directive 2D 3D, the wall paper on one
side of the gallery is a two dimensional pattern: an organic
looping structure which repeats and mirrors itself that is both
ornamental and geometrically structural in its architectural
implication.
Suspended from the historical Jugenstil decorated ceiling is a
new ceiling of plywood veneer loops patterned on the drawings
but of a 10 cm depth at a 240cm clear height (door height)
above the floor.
"…a projection/ extension of the streetscape in the bourgeois
residential historical Mommsenstrasse neighborhood."

47. INTERPRETATIONS AND INVENTIONS
Barkow Leibinger, 2D:3D installation.

48. INTERPRETATIONS AND INVENTIONS
Barkow Leibinger, 2D:3D installation.

49. INTERPRETATIONS AND INVENTIONS
Barkow Leibinger, 2D:3D installation.

50. INTERPRETATIONS AND INVENTIONS

51. INTERPRETATIONS AND INVENTIONS

52. INTERPRETATIONS AND INVENTIONS