Postmodern Style Architecture

Postmodernism is a style that emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s as a reaction to the dominance of modernism in architecture. It is a style that seeks to break away from the rigid and mechanistic style of modernism and instead incorporate elements of historical styles, popular culture, and traditional building techniques. Postmodernism is characterized by playful and often ironic design solutions that often include bold colors, eclectic materials, and a mix of styles. It is a style that is influenced by a range of cultural and intellectual movements, including deconstructionism, pop art, and structuralism. This article explores the history and style of postmodern architecture and buildings, including significant examples from around the world.

History of Postmodern Architecture: 

The origins of postmodern architecture can be traced back to the 1960s and 1970s when a group architects and intellectuals started to question the principles of modernism. The modernist movement had dominated architecture since the early 20th century, and it was characterized by a focus on functionality, industrialization, and the use of modern materials. Postmodernism was born out of a desire to challenge the monolithic and impersonal nature of modernist architecture. Architects like Robert Venturi, Denise Scott Brown, and Michael Graves were some of the pioneers of postmodernism, and they sought to create buildings that were more humanistic, engaging, and contextual.

One of the earliest and most significant examples of postmodern architecture is the Vanna Venturi House in Philadelphia designed by Robert Venturi in 1962. The house is a tribute to the traditional American house with its pitched roof, gabled dormers, and front porch. However, the house also subverts traditional architectural elements by adding in a large curved bay window, a split-level floor plan, and an asymmetrical facade. The Vanna Venturi House was a groundbreaking project that challenged the traditional notions of what a house should be and set the tone for many of the postmodern projects that would follow.

Style of Postmodern Architecture: 

Postmodern architecture is characterized by a range of stylistic traits that set it apart from modernism and other architectural styles. Some of the key features of postmodern architecture include:

1. Bold Colors: Postmodern architecture often incorporates bold and bright colors that are meant to grab attention and create a sense of fun and playfulness.

2. Eclectic Materials: Postmodern buildings often incorporate a mix of materials, including stone, brick, metal, and glass. This mixing of materials creates a sense of texture and depth that is absent in modernist buildings.

3. Historical References: Postmodern buildings often incorporate references to historical architectural styles, such as classical columns, arches, and pediments. These historical references are often used in a playful way that subverts traditional architectural elements.

4. Irony: Postmodern architecture often incorporates elements of irony and humor into its design solutions. For example, a building might incorporate a classical pediment, but with a cartoon character carved into it.

5. Fragmentation: Postmodern architecture often breaks down the traditional massing of buildings into smaller, more fragmented elements. This fragmentation creates a sense of dynamism and movement that is absent in modernist buildings.

Examples of Postmodern Buildings: 

1. AT&T Building (now Sony Tower) – New York City, USA: The AT&T Building (now Sony Tower) in New York City was designed by Philip Johnson and John Burgee in 1984. The building is a prime example of postmodern architecture, with its pink granite facade, triangular pediment, and broken pediment at the top of the building. The building is also notable for its iconic "Chippendale" top, which has become a symbol of postmodern architecture.

2. Portland Building – Portland, USA: The Portland Building in Portland, Oregon was designed by Michael Graves in 1982. The building is a notable example of postmodern architecture, with its blue-green terra cotta facade, classical columns, and playful use of color. The building houses the offices of the city government and has become an important landmark in the city.

3. The Guggenheim Museum – Bilbao, Spain: The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain was designed by Frank Gehry and opened in 1997. The building is a masterpiece of postmodern architecture, with its undulating titanium-clad facade and iconic curves. The Guggenheim Museum is widely regarded as one of the most important buildings of the 20th century and has become a symbol of the revitalization of the city of Bilbao.

4. The Dancing House – Prague, Czech Republic: The Dancing House in Prague, Czech Republic was designed by Frank Gehry and Vlado Milunić in 1996. The building is a playful and innovative example of postmodern architecture, with its undulating facade and unusual shape. The Dancing House has become a popular tourist attraction in Prague and has helped to establish the city as a center for contemporary art and architecture.

5. The CCTV Headquarters – Beijing, China: The CCTV Headquarters in Beijing, China was designed by Rem Koolhaas and Ole Scheeren and opened in 2012. The building is a bold and futuristic example of postmodern architecture, with its unusual shape and black glass facade. The CCTV Headquarters has become an icon of modern Beijing and is widely regarded as one of the most innovative buildings of the 21st century.

Postmodern architecture is a style that emerged in the late 20th century as a reaction to the dominance of modernism. It is a style that seeks to break away from the rigid and mechanistic style of modernism and instead incorporate elements of historical styles, popular culture, and traditional building techniques. Postmodern architecture is characterized by playful and often ironic design solutions that often include bold colors, eclectic materials, and a mix of styles. Some of the most significant examples of postmodern architecture include the AT&T Building (now Sony Tower) in New York City, the Portland Building in Portland, Oregon, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, the Dancing House in Prague, Czech Republic, and the CCTV Headquarters in Beijing, China. Postmodern architecture continues to be an important and influential style in contemporary architecture, and it is likely to continue to influence the design of buildings for many years to come.