POSTMODERNISM

INTRODUCTION

‣ Postmodernism-An international architectural movement that emerged in the 1960s, became prominent in the late
1970s and 80s, and remained a dominant force in the 1990s.

‣ The movement largely has been a reaction against the austerity, simplicity and functional design approach of the
modern architecture/international style.

‣ Rejection of strict rules set by the early modernists and seeks high spirits in the use of building techniques, angles,
and stylistic references.

‣ The aim of Postmodernism or Late-modernism begin with its reaction to Modernism; it tries to address the
limitations of its predecessor. The list of aims is extended to include communicating ideas with the public often in a witty
way. The communication is done by quoting extensively from past architectural styles, often many at once. In breaking
away from modernism, it also strives to produce buildings that are sensitive to the context within which they are built.

‣ Origin-Postmodernism has its origins in the perceived failure of Modern Architecture; its preoccupation with
functionalism and economical building which failed to meet the human need for comfort both for body and for the eye. In
response, postmodern architects sought to reintroduce ornament, color, decoration and human scale to buildings.
Form was no longer to be defined solely by its functional requirements or minimal appearance.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF POSTMODERNISM

‣Postmodern Architecture rejects the notion of “pure” or “perfect” form, instead it draws from: all methods,
materials, forms, & colours available to architects.

‣ Moves away from the neutral white colours seen in Modernism.

‣the return of "wit, ornament and reference" to architecture.

‣ Took past components of different styles and melded them

together to create new means of design. It is known for the
re-emergence of surface ornament, reference to its surrounding
buildings, and historical references.

‣revival of traditional elements and techniques. Post

CONTEXTUALISM
modernists looked into past architecture in order to learn from it.
Classical designs such as pillars, arches, and domes used in new,
almost humorous ways, just to send a message to the modernist
people. It favoured personal preferences and variety over objective
truths and principles.
DIVERSE AESTHETIC

composed of an exuberant collection

 It features the Seven Dwarfs in of pieces of Italian Renaissance
place of the caryatids found in architecture. RNAMENTALISM
Ancient Greek buildings.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF POSTMODERNISM

‣physical characteristics- the use of sculptural forms, ornaments

and anthropomorphism.

‣ conceptual characteristics- pluralism, double coding, high ceilings,

irony, paradox, neo-eclecticism & contextualism.

Blend of modern technology with

elements of classical antiquity.
DOUBLE CODING
Reference and
The AT&T building, New York
ornaments have
returned to façade,
replacing the
aggressively
Unornamented
modern style. This
Eclecticism is often
combined with the
Use of non- NEO-ECLECTICISM
orthogonal angles Guggenheim Museum Bilbao.
and unusual
surfaces.  The Portland Building (1980) has ILLUSIONISTIC
pillars represented on the side of the TECHNIQUE
building that to some extent appear to
The Portland building, Oregon
be real, yet they are not.
 COMPLEXITY AND CONTRADICTION IN ARCHITECTURE
‣ 1960s - the emergence of Post-Modernism, a way of thinking of architecture that is
quite different from the approach of International Style designers.

‣Robert Venturi, 1966 made the case for non- straightforward architecture and
glorified Baroque architecture.

‣ “LESS IS BORE” replaced “ LESS IS MORE”

‣ Time to bring Richness & Delight in Architecture.

‣ Break away from the world of Dull Buildings.

‣ Marked beginning of New Era in Architecture.

‣ Initially in USA ----Then in rest of the Industrialized World.

DEBATE AMONGST MODERNISTS AND POST-MODERNISTS…

Modernist architects may regard postmodern buildings as vulgar, associated with a

populist ethic. Postmodern architects may regard many modern buildings as soulless and
bland, overly simplistic and abstract.
 NOTABLE ARCHITECTS
‣ Robert Venturi (theorist of postmodernism)
Notable buildings-

The Guild House, Philadelphia(1960–1963) Vanna Venturi House, Pennsylvania (1964)

‣ Michael Graves
Notable buildings-

Portland Building,Portland,Oregon (1982) The Denver Public, Denver, Colorado.(1995)

‣ Philip Johnson ‣ Charles Moore ‣Frank Gehry
Notable buildings- Notable buildings- Notable buildings-

PPG Place, Pittsburgh, Piazza d'Italia ,New Orleans, Dancing House in Prague
Pennsylvania (1979–1984) 1978 (1996)

Bank of America Center, Haas School of Business University Guggenheim Museum

Houston(1983) of California, Berkeley (1992) Bilbao,Spain(1997)
 TC ENERGY CENTER,HOUSTON,TEXAS(1983)
(f.k.a. Bank of America Center)

Architectural style - Postmodern

Architect - John Burgee & Philip Johnson

Drawing on both gothic and postmodern elements, the TC Energy

Center was built in Houston, Texas. The building is fragmented into
three towers, topped with gable roofing and spires to create a 
medieval-inspired theme. The building is reminiscent of Dutch
Gothic architecture of canal houses in The Netherlands. The
distinctive stair-stepped tower top helps define the skyline of
downtown Houston, and its handsome façade of red granite and
soaring bank lobby help make if one of the city’s most distinguished
buildings.

‣ By blending function with exuberant design, this building

serves as a reminder of the varying styles that postmodern
design drew inspiration from.

‣ Combines architecture elements of pre-WWII skyscrapers with

elements of modern aesthetics.
Used classical styles in new combinations: pillars, arches, domes,
curtain wall facades, sculptures and roman conventions
Similar to old cathedrals, draws the eye upwards toward the sky.
 MODERNISM V/S POST-MODRNISM

Postmodernist
building were a stack
of varied design
elements for a single
vocabulary from
ground level to the
top, ( "wedding cake"
design).

Modernist high-rise
buildings had
become monolithic.

Seagram Building, NewYork,

Ludwig Mies van Der Rohe, 1957