Title: Postmodern Architecture: Characteristics and Prominent Buildings
Headings: Postmodern Architecture: Characteristics and Prominent Buildings
Postmodern Architecture: Characteristics and Prominent Buildings
What is Postmodern Architecture?
Postmodern Architecture Characteristics
Contradiction
Asymmetry
Humor
Fragmentation
Complexity
Noteworthy Examples of Postmodern Architecture
Piazza D’Italia (1978)
The Portland Building (1982)
Bank of America Center (1984)
The Neue Staatsgalerie (1984)
Thompson Center (1985)
Wexner Center for the Arts (1989)
SIS Building (1994)
Binoculars Building (2001)

Content: 09.16.19
Postmodernism’s emergence and proliferation was a direct response to the rise of art movements like modernism, a style that discouraged the use of historical reference in architecture. As modernism grew in popularity, notable structures in major cities underwent extensive renovations. This often resulted in historic buildings being demolished and replaced with stilted versions that held little regard for the artistic characterizations of surrounding buildings. In the 1960s, architects began fighting back against the demise of history and culture that they saw taking place in areas such as New York and Chicago. As explained by Denise Scott Brown and Robert Venturi in their book, Learning From Las Vegas, “Postmodern artists created an eclectic movement that fully represented the constantly changing landscape of today’s modern world.” Here, we take a deep dive into the characteristics of postmodern architecture, explore how modernism influenced this trend, and showcase some of the most iconic buildings that emerged from the movement. What is Postmodern Architecture? Postmodern architecture was an international movement that focused on free-thinking design with conceptual consideration to the surrounding environment. These considerations included integrating the design of adjacent buildings into new, postmodern structures, so that they had an element of cohesiveness while still making an impact. This careful consideration can be seen in The Neue Staatsgalerie by James Stirling and Michael Wilford, who fused neoclassical elements with a touch of postmodern flare.