Postmodern Architecture Overview

Overview

The lecture explains Postmodern Architecture, its origins, characteristics, and how it reacts to and differs from Modernism, using key examples and historical context.

What is Postmodern Architecture?

• Postmodern Architecture emerged as a response to the rigid principles of Modernism in the late 20th century.
• It is best understood as a philosophy rather than a fixed visual style.
• Postmodernism rejects consistency and embraces complexity, contradiction, and eclecticism.
• Experts disagree on its exact definition, and its primary rule is that there are no strict rules.

Historical Background & Key Figures

• Robert Venturi’s Vanna Venturi House (1959) is widely considered the first postmodern building.
• Venturi introduced classical elements and eclectic furniture arrangements, defying Modernist purity.
• Venturi’s phrase “Less is a bore” opposes the Modernist “Less is more” motto.
• Charles Jencks popularized the term “Post-Modern Architecture” in 1977, describing it as “double coded” hybrids of old and new elements.

Key Examples & Approaches

• Neue Staatsgalerie in Stuttgart by James Stirling blends classical motifs with modern materials in both form and function.
• Le Corbusier’s later work, such as the Ronchamp chapel, diverged from his Modernist principles and showed postmodern tendencies.
• Minoru Takeyama’s Ni-Ban-Kan in Tokyo uses fragmented geometries and bold imagery, integrating with its environment and lacking clear entrances.

Philosophical and Social Context

• Postmodernism acknowledges multiple histories, cultures, and evolving functions instead of following static rules.
• The movement gained popularity during the counterculture and protest movements of the 1960s and 70s.
• Influences include resistance to top-down planning and support for individualism and local context, as championed by Jane Jacobs.
• The diversity in Postmodern architecture mirrors trends in other art periods, such as 16th-century Mannerism.

Key Terms & Definitions

• Modernism — an early 20th-century architectural movement emphasizing simplicity, function, and universal forms.
• Postmodernism — a philosophy and architectural approach that rejects Modernism’s rigidity in favor of pluralism, contradiction, and eclectic styles.
• Double-coded — combining multiple styles or references so different audiences can interpret them differently.
• Deconstructivism — a sub-movement of Postmodernism focusing on fragmentation and apparent chaos.
• Mannerism — a 16th-century style characterized by the distortion of classical principles.

Action Items / Next Steps

• Review previous lectures/videos on Modernism for background context.
• Reflect on local architecture: identify buildings that may be influenced by Postmodernism.
• Consider the role of context and pluralism in evaluating architectural design.