The postmodern style developed in the 1960s and 70s after the modernist movement had taken control of the architectural world. Originally, the modernist style originally had few critics; it’s simple, functional and geometric aspects were popular and evident in cities around the world. The modernists reveled in organization and a “less is more” belief for their buildings. American Robert Venturi’s 1966 book, Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture made people begin to think that three could be more to architecture once again. Venturi argued against the Modernist architecture that he called bland and wanted people to consider styles that were not just black and white but various shades of gray as well (WTTW). Though it took some time for these radical ideas to catch on, they certainly did. Postmodernism spread to places like Europe and eventually the rest of the world and is now an international phenomenon.
Postmodernism originally came about because some people were bored with the present style of architecture. The lack of decoration on buildings made them simply functional but not beautiful. A large argument of postmodernists is that there is a human desire for beauty and it was not fulfilled by so called modern architecture (Boundless). Thus the postmodern movement was born, but not without its struggles. A war raged between the two genres of architecture around 20 years with postmodernism finally coming out on top (WTTW). In many way postmodern architecture could not have existed without modern architecture to rebel against. The architects found things they didn’t like about modernism and fought to change them. After their victory, postmodernists did away with the dull, mindless buildings and created ones of their own design. It was a style unlike anything that had come before it. What was so unique about postmodern architecture is that it actually reverted somewhat to old ways rather than moving forward in the linear way that everyone else had done in the past.
Architects during this time made all sorts of new statements with their work. They sought to incorporate color and decoration to the buildings rather than build them purely for functionality’s sake. There was no longer any need for a minimalist design, architects could make exactly what they wanted even if it was highly unusual or not entirely functional. Form was a huge part of this era and using forms merely for its own sake. They broke the traditional mold of what was required in a building and also what was not previously allowed (Boundless). Diversity of buildings also blossomed with the postmodern movement. Modernist buildings had a strict set of protocols and as a result they all looked virtually the same. Many postmodern architects are proud of the way that their buildings tell a story as opposed to the boring facades of modern architecture (WTTW). Their buildings were obviously new but contained elements of the old and in this way they told a story of history. Postmodernism is known for the way in which it uses styles that have come before it. It is not uncommon to find a postmodern building that has melded many styles together into one design. A new way of viewing familiar ideas and styles was adopted and this allowed architects to use old elements in entirely new ways. This resulted in buildings that were collages of architectural history (Morley). The buildings used already created patterns in their design but they are different in the juxtaposition of those various patterns and styles. This was also an era of revival for elements that had been done away with in the modernist movement. For example, the postmodernist era was the first style in a long time to use things like columns (Boundless). Greeks and Romans are famous for their use of columns and the example they set. Since their time there has literally been countless uses of columns on buildings. However, columns did not fit the minimalist style of the modernist and they were not seen on buildings during this time. When architects began using columns again they did so in brand new ways. This set them apart from other styles that simply copied the works of the Greeks and Romans.
Many architects have made their names by entering the postmodern movement and some of the most famous and stunning buildings from around the world are built in the postmodern style. The young and rebellious generation of architects in particular was attracted to the idea of breaking out of the modernist style (Georgia Encyclopedia). One of the architects credited with bringing about the postmodern movement is Michael Graves. Graves started out as a modernist so much so that he was actually working against the postmodern efforts. However, Graves chose to switch sides and became the architect of the first major work of postmodern architecture. The city’s occupants do not love the Portland Building but it is the epitome of postmodern style (archdaily). The four facades of the building display symbolic decorations as well as new forms. The building was highly controversial because of its use of color and texture (WTTW). Many of Grave’s other works are similar in their balance of old and new as well as playfulness and sophistication. The use of bright colors along side traditional elements such as arches and columns define the postmodern era (archdaily).
Another well know postmodernist architect is Frank O. Gehry. He too was inspired by art at a young age and wanted to pursue it in any way that he could. Gehry at one point had the chance to study the work of the famous modernist, Le Corbusier. Despite this, Gehry was drawn to the more exciting and artistic side of architecture, thus his joining of the postmodern movement. During his career, Gehry has been responsible for many famous buildings including the Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain (Achievement). While it was largely youth that supported the postmodernist designs, some of the more classical architects joined the rise as well. Philip Johnson was a celebrated champion of modern designs and therefore it was unlikely that he would approve of postmodernism. However, far from approving of it, Johnson umped on the bandwagon and ended up designing one of the more famous postmodern buildings. The AT&T Building, now Sony, is located in downtown Manhattan for everyone to see. It has a great example of an allusion to a classical element, which is what postmodernism is all about. The style of the roof is called a “Chippendale” based off the shape of a gothic peaked roof. Unfortunately, it is one of those buildings that people either love or hate (Umich). Postmodernism has had its critics but it remains to this day and has been a significant part of architectural history.
As far as architectural styles go, postmodernism lasted a long time and therefor had considerable influence on the world. It certainly lasted longer than the modernism that it replaced in the 1960s and 70s. Though the movement itself and the hype surrounding it has gone, postmodern architecture continues to surround us. Ho matter where we are in the world, cities and houses show aspects of postmodern architecture that has struck around for all this time. Still one could argue that the most important effect of the postmodern movement was the freedom it gave to architects. The strictness and unoriginality of modernism gave architect very little creative license. Postmodern architects also reminded us of the past by constantly incorporating it into new buildings. Without this movement, it is possible that much of architectural history would have been lost or forgotten. Postmodernism will never cease to exist in our world and that is truly for the best because of all the amazing art and history that it has brought us.
Works Cited
Academy of Achievement . 2010. Frank O. Gehry . July 7. Accessed April 7 , 2014. http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/geh0bio-1.
Boundless . n.d. Postmodern. Accessed April 7, 2014. https://www.boundless.com/art-history/global-art-since-1950/architecture/postmodern/.
Craig, Robert M. 2013. Modern and Postmodern Architecture Overview . October 3. Accessed April 7, 2014. http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/arts-culture/modern-and-postmodern-architecture-overview.
Lobiondo, Maria. 1995. Michael Graves "Archetype of the 90's". Accessed April 7, 2014. http://www.princetonol.com/patron/mgraves.html.
Merin, Gili, and David Basulto . n.d. ArchDaily . Accessed April 7 , 2014. http://www.archdaily.com/tag/michael-graves/.
Morley, James. n.d. Defining Postmodernism . Accessed April 7, 2014. http://www2.iath.virginia.edu/elab/hfl0242.html.
n.d. Postmodern Architecture . Accessed April 7 , 2014. http://www-personal.umich.edu/~jewestla/pomo.html.
Rybczynski, Witold. 2011. Was Postmodern Architecture Any Good? . November 11. Accessed April 7, 2014. http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/architecture/2011/11/postmodern_architecture_its_most_important_legacy_.html.
Web Urbanist . n.d. 7 Wonders of the Postmodern Architecture . Accessed April 7, 2014. http://weburbanist.com/2011/06/13/deconstructivism-7-architectural-wonders-of-the-world/.
WTTW. 2014. Postmodernism Timeline . Accessed April 7, 2014. http://www.wttw.com/main.taf?p=88,5.
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