In the late 1960s and early 1970s, postmodern architecture emerged as a response to modernist architecture’s perceived flaws. Though logical design was supposed to usher in a better world, modernist architecture has left us with cold, impersonal structures that lack a sense of location or cultural identity. The idea that form should come second to function was rejected by postmodern architects, who instead emphasized the importance of context, history, and culture in architectural design.
Key Features
The modernist notion that form should come after function is rejected in postmodern architecture. Rather, the relevance of environment, culture, and history in architectural design was highlighted by postmodern architects. Postmodern architecture is characterized by its emphasis on symbolism and meaning, use of adornment, and historical allusions.
Examining back from 2023, the contentious discussions around 1980s modern and post-modern architecture may seem like a pointless exercise in stylistic categorization. However, architectural history is a relationship that is developed over time by each generation in turn by examining the materials of the past from the viewpoint of the present. Postmodern architects welcomed classical architecture and combined it with modern features to create completely new structures, in contrast to modern architects who eschewed the ornamentation of older architectural forms. Postmodern architecture is distinguished by its irreverent fun, intricacy, and whimsicality.
- Historical Significance
One of the most distinctive aspects of postmodern architecture is the utilization of historical allusions. In contrast to the modernist tendency of ignoring the past, postmodern architects sought to inspire their architectural designs by embracing history. Gothic arches, Art Deco details, or classical columns are just a few examples of how postmodern architecture may reference the past. In postmodern architecture, historic references are more than just an emotional touch. Rather, postmodern architects use historic allusions to connect with the local cultural history and to create a sense of continuity with the past. Postmodern architects frequently use historical references into their designs in order to create structures that are both useful and meaningful.
2. Ornamentation
Another crucial element of postmodern architecture is ornamentation. Modernist architects preferred simple, uncomplicated designs above ornamentation, seeing it as redundant and useless. Postmodern architects, on the other hand, saw embellishment as a way to draw attention to the richness and depth of architectural design. Beautiful metalwork and ornate mouldings are just two instances of decoration seen in postmodern architecture. Postmodern architects frequently use ornamental elements to engage with their environment and give their designs a vibrant, fun atmosphere.
3. Symbolism
Another area that postmodern architects focused on was the importance of symbolism and meaning in architectural design. They believed that buildings should have symbolic and cultural significance in addition to being useful structures. Postmodern architects regularly included symbolism and meaning into their designs in order to create buildings that were both expressive and fascinating, as well as reflecting the beliefs and aspirations of the people they served. Symbolism and meaning can take many different forms in postmodern architecture. A building might be designed to resemble a flower, for example, to represent growth and rebirth. Alternatively, a structure could make use of a cultural allusion, such a sculpture or picture, to evoke a sense of place and pride in the neighborhood.
4. Contradiction
Postmodernism, which took inspiration from a wide range of cultures and design elements to create work that had never been seen before, was a contradiction of all the movements that came before it. It was a direct response to the stifling techniques of modern design, including geometric shapes and simplistic design. Designer Michael Graves combined elements of several styles to create the Humana Building in Louisville, Kentucky, which promotes progressive design principles and makes a statement about historical preservation.
5. Humor
During the postmodern era, especially in the United States, humor and camp, a sarcastic trend of flamboyant art that was seen beautiful, were used interchangeably. Furthermore, although the postmodern movement started out as a protest against modernism’s rigidity, camp postmodern art elevated that protest to new heights. Theatrical structures were renowned for their use of excess and humor. One such example is Hotel Dolphin (1987) at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. Camp architects pushed the boundaries of what a building may look like in order to promote innovation in new building and design while also challenging formality.
6. Fragmentation
Postmodern architects were renowned for their ability to construct disjointed structures that, although still functioning as a single structure, had the impression of multiple distinct structures with varied purposes. The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is a perfect example of this, since the medium used to make this piece—titanium—changes color in response to ambient light. This gave the building fresh life depending on the time of day it is viewed, giving it a completely different look in the daytime than it does at night.
Influence on Modern Architecture
Regarding architectural ideas and more general cultural trends, postmodern architecture had a significant influence on contemporary architecture. Postmodernism cleared the path for a more varied and eclectic approach to architectural design by challenging the prevailing modernist paradigm in the field. The postmodern architectural movement’s emphasis on history and context is one of its main legacies. Postmodern architects demonstrated that structures might serve both practical and cultural purposes and that local factors should be considered when designing buildings.
Modern architects are still influenced by this history as they work to design structures that are more sensitive to the cultural and environmental environments in which they are situated. The emphasis on meaning and symbolism in postmodern architecture is another of its legacies. Postmodern architects showed that architectural design could have a significant impact on influencing the cultural environment and that structures may be potent representations of a community’s values and cultural identity. Modern architects are nevertheless motivated by this legacy to design structures that are not just practical but also expressive and culturally meaningful.
Its Significance
Primarily, postmodernism turns into a means of subverting conventions: an avant-garde approach that presents the peculiar and unusual in opposition to the dominance of the ordinary. According to this perspective, being postmodern is the ethos of challenging the unsatisfactory conditions of the present without rejecting the existence of the past or the comprehension of the new cultural conditions and technological advancements of the present. It does not imply belonging to a new age or referring to a specific style.
References:
- Ghisleni, C. (2021, July 14). What is postmodernism? ArchDaily. https://www.archdaily.com/964625/what-is-postmodernism
- 1980 In Parallax: Provincialising Post-Modern Architecture – Jencks Foundation. (n.d.). https://www.jencksfoundation.org/explore/text/provincialising-post-modern-architecture
