RP110 Postmodern Architecture

 RP110 Postmodern Architecture

Postmodern architecture began as a reaction against modernist architecture. Modernist architecture was very formal, functional, and often plain. Postmodern architecture is seen as a return to cleverness and fun. Postmodern buildings have parts that are only for decoration, rather than being strictly useful. Many postmodern buildings take architectural styles from the past and use them in new, interesting, or funny ways. For example, the Sony Building in New York is a skyscraper with an elaborate top that looks like an old bookcase. There was no need for that kind of decoration, but it is beautiful and funny. Postmodern architecture values decoration and function.

What we call postmodern architecture began in the United States in the 1960s. One early, important figure was Robert Venturi. His Vanna Venturi House is a classic postmodern building. Venturi built a gabled roof— that is, a roof that forms a peak in the center— on that house, but the peak is split in the middle. So the functional gabled roof, which was designed to allow rain and snow to run down the side, is turned into art instead.

Charles Moore is another famous postmodern architect. One well-known work of his is the Piazza d’ Italia in New Orleans. His Piazza d’ Italia uses many old Italian-style posts, but they aren't made of traditional materials. Some of them, in fact, are made using jets of water

In the late 1980s, a type of architecture called Deconstructivism developed out of the postmodern movement. This style takes apart buildings and tries to separate elements usually found together. It is a very unusual, striking style.

Postmodernism in all its forms is alive and inspiring. It is still a main influence on architects around the world.