postmodern arhitecture
courtesy : masterclass
What Is Postmodern Architecture?
Postmodern architecture was conceived as a critical response to modernist architecture. In the 1960s and ’70s, postmodern architects became disillusioned by the austere minimalism of modernism, also known then as the International Style. Whereas modern architects rejected the ornamentation of earlier architectural styles, postmodern architects embraced classical architecture and blended it with modern elements to create wholly unique structures. Postmodern buildings are characterized by irreverent playfulness, complexity, and whimsy.
Postmodernism came into fashion in the 1960s and ’70s as architects grew disenchanted by modernism. In 1966, American architect and architectural theorist Robert Venturi published a book called Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture. The book presents a rebellious manifesto against the prevailing modernist approach to architecture. It presented a compelling vision for postmodernist architects, one that celebrated classicism, color, and pop-cultural references in building design. The views he expressed would lay the groundwork for an upswell in the postmodern movement.
In 1972, Venturi, along with architects Denise Scott Brown and Steven Izenour, released a book called Learning from Las Vegas. The book explored the architecture of the Vegas strip and purported that its use of whimsy and fantasy should be a guide for future architectural styles.
The postmodern movement quickly became a significant architectural style of the late twentieth century. Several prominent modernists adopted the postmodern style including Philip Johnson, Aldo Rossi, and James Stirling. Postmodernism continues to influence contemporary architecture today.
4 Defining Elements of Postmodern Architecture
When trying to spot a postmodern building, look for the following elements.
- Color: Postmodern design embraces the use of color, often in contrast to the natural hues of building materials like sandstone or marble. Postmodern architects were not shy in their use of pastels and bright neon color palettes.
- Playfulness: Postmodern design takes itself seriously but not too seriously. Elements of humor, irony, whimsy, and kitsch are often featured in postmodern buildings. Trompe-l’œil, a type of optical illusion designed to make flat surfaces look multidimensional, also added an element of whimsy to postmodernism.
- Classical motifs: Postmodern design mixes various classical architectural features—like arches and pillars—with modern materials like steel and glass.
- Variety of materials and shapes: Postmodern architects valued sculptural forms over rigid, clean lines. Many postmodern buildings feature curves and asymmetrical angles.
3 Famous Examples of Postmodern Architecture
The effects of postmodernism spread far and wide, and today, iconic postmodern buildings can be found all over the world.
- Portland Building: Built by American architect Michael Graves, the Portland Building opened its doors in downtown Portland, Oregon, in 1982. Designed to evoke the image of a Greek pedestal, the four-sided, tan stucco facade rises from a tiled green base, stretching 15 stories tall and crowned with a sky blue rooftop.
- Vanna Venturi House: American architect Robert Venturi built this house for his mother in the 1950s. It is credited with being the first postmodern residence in history. The home has many modern architectural influences, like horizontal ribbon windows and a minimalist facade. However, its monochromatic blue exterior, framed archway, and gabled roof mark the architect’s departure from modernism to postmodern architecture.
- M2 Building: The M2 Building in Tokyo, Japan, was built by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma in 1991. Its design features a massive pillar surrounded by a mishmash of modern and classical architecture elements including arches, dentils, and triglyphs.
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