Does anything after modernism count asPostmodernism?
The answer is that this architectural style is a direct response to the incredibly popular and utopian ideas ofmodernism.
Many others believed that it was simply boring.
From Left to Right: Piazza d’Italia Closeup, Piazza d’Italia, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Walt Disney Concert Hall Closeup, Portland Municipal Services Building Statue, Portland Municipal Services Building, Binoculars Building, Museum ofPop Art
Venturi once said less is a borein response to Ludwig Mies Van der Rohes famous less is more.
InContradiction and Complexity in Architecture, Venturi describes what he hoped architecture would become.
Most of his hopes were realized as Postmodernists responded to the earlier style.
Photo:Stock Photosfrom Klod/Shutterstock
Characteristics of Postmodern Architecture
Some believe that Postmodernism is the architecture of pop culture.
Postmodern buildings were playful and colorful.
PostmodernistFrank Gehryis well known for his unusually bent metal sheets.
Photo:Stock Photosfrom Ritu Manoj Jethani/Shutterstock
Modernists often designed white and glass boxes that were meant to fit any location and any person.
Collaged Building Elements
Photo:Stock Photosfrom Daniel Bartos/Shutterstock
Postmodern architecture is often characterized by playful design.
This translates to buildings that reimagine traditional elements and break the rule of form following function.
Photo:Stock Photosfrom Daniel Bartos/Shutterstock
Duck or Decorated Shed?
Photo:Stock Photosfrom Fotos593/Shutterstock
Simply put, aduckis a building that is designed to look like an object.
In fact, theM2 Buildingis unusual compared to the other projects in his portfolio.
Photo:Stock Photosfrom Fotos593/Shutterstock
It also works as a great example of a duck.
It now acts as a funeral hall.
The organic forms are meant to look like billowing sails frozen in time.
Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, California (Photo:Stock Photosfrom f11photo/Shutterstock)
Aside from its truly unique design aesthetic, the building is also known for its acoustics.
It was designed byMichael Gravesas a result of a design competition where Portland Mayor Frank Ivancie demanded postmodern design.
The colors, along with the geometric shapes on the facade, are playful and bright.
Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, California (Photo:Stock Photosfrom Nattapon Klinsuwan/Shutterstock)
The outer design is there because it is fun and that is enough for Postmodernists!
His brightly colored classical architecture was a genuine celebration of Italian innovation in architecture.
Such a bold design was sure to inspire divided opinions.
Portland Municipal Services Building in Portland, Oregon, U.S. (Photo:Stock Photosfrom Tada Images/Shutterstock)
The project was eventually restored and generally has a much better reputation now.
Whether you love it or hate it, the Piazza dItalia is certainly a unique and fun public space.
The cat’s tail acts as a fun slide at the back of the school.
Portland Municipal Services Building in Portland, Oregon, U.S. (Photo:Stock Photosfrom ARTYOORAN/Shutterstock)
Related Articles:
Piazza d’Italia in New Orleans, Louisianna (Photo:Stock Photosfrom William A. Morgan/Shutterstock)
Piazza d’Italia in New Orleans, Louisianna (Photo:Stock Photosfrom Shawn Kashou/Shutterstock)
