

Postmodernity

in architecture is said to be heralded by the return of "wit, ornament and reference" to architecture in response to the formalism of the

International Style

of modernism.



functional

and formalized shapes and spaces of the

modernist

style are replaced by diverse styles collide, form is adopted for its own sake, and new ways of viewing familiar styles and space abound. Postmodernism with its diversity possesses sensitivity to the building’s context and history, and the client’s requirements.

aesthetics

:

 The Solution to Modernism Architects started turning away from Modern Functionalism. They viewed it as boring, unwelcoming, and even unpleasant. Postmodernists sought to cure this by reintroducing ornament and decoration for its own sake. Form was no longer defined only by its functional requirements it now could be anything the architect pleased! It replaced the functional and formalized shapes seen in the modernist movement by: The use of diverse aesthetics, different styles colliding, form is adopted for its own sake, and new ways of viewing familiar styles

 Postmodern architecture was an international ornament style and Style of modernism.

whose first examples are generally cited as being from the 1950s, and which continues to influence present-day architecture. Post modernity in architecture is generally thought to be heralded by the return of "wit, reference" to architecture in response to the formalism of the International

POSTMODERNISM TIME PERIOD

 The term postmodernism is probably most specific and meaningful when used in relation to architecture, where it designates 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 to the orthodoxy, austerity, and formal absolutism of the International Style . Postmodern architecture is characterized by the incorporation of historical details in a hybrid rather than a pure style, by the use of decorative elements, by a more personal and exaggerated style, and by references to popular modes of building.

 Robert Venturi Robert Venturi was at the head of the Postmodern Movement He is known for re-wording the famous saying of Mies van der Rohe’s: “Less is more” to "Less is a bore." In his book, Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture, he states: “Architects can bemoan or try to ignore them (referring to the ornamental and decorative elements in buildings) or even try to abolish them, but they will not go away.

Or they will not go away for a long time, because architects do not have the power to replace them (nor do they know what to replace them with).”

Robert

 Robert Venturi He goes on to explain the need for ornament in his second book called Learning from Las Vegas (published in 1972). Venturi states He decorative stresses that elements the “accommodate existing needs for variety and communication”.

building needs to communicate meaning the a to public.

Postmodernists in general strive to achieve this communication through their buildings. This communication however is not intended to be a direct narration of the meaning. Venturi goes on to explain that it is rather intended to be a communication that could be interpreted in many ways. Because work of such quality will have many dimensions and layers of meaning.



Nonlinearity

: Multiple styles, multiple goals Examples: a. Commercialism vs. anti— commercialism vs. equality c. Violence vs. peace 

Influence of digital technology



Inclusion of World cultures



Visual culture

: Fine art, craft, advertising 

Visual studies

: Combination of visual culture and social theory

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

Moves away from the neutral white colours seen in modernism.

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.

It was a time of revival of traditional elements and techniques.

Post modernists did not believe to ignore past architecture but looked to it in order to learn from it. You will begin to see classical designs such as pillars, torches, 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!

 Postmodernism Vs.

Modernism Postmodern architecture-was an international style that was

first cited in the 1950s

, but did not become a movement until the late 1970s.

 It began as a response to the perceived blandness of the Modern Movement, which focused primarily on: perfection harmony of form and function dismissal of unnecessary ornaments not looking to any past historical references or methods of construction Modernism did not account for the desire of beauty!

They focused on functionalism and economical building This meant that ornaments were stripped away, and as a result buildings came to have a stark, rational appearance.

 Postmodernists architecture felt the buildings of modern failed to meet the human need of comfort for both: the body and the eye !

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