Postmodernism in Architecture

“The Built Environment”

Introduction

In the late 19th century, a new artistic movement labelled ‘eclecticism’ emerged. Focused on the experimentation with mixing and blending of artistic styles, this conceptual approach transformed ways of designing architecture significantly. Towards the early 20th century, Postmodernist architecture began to surface, associating itself with what Charles Jencks described as “eclecticism and openness”¹.

Picture Left: The Transamerica Pyramid (San Francisco City) imitates the Egyptian pyramidal structure. The structure blends in with the high skyline of other skyscrapers and highlights cultural convergence.

“In architecture, postmodernism came to be associated with a specific aesthetic style, known as functionalism. Functionalism was a clear extension of modernism’s rationalism and abandonment of tradition. It involved a rejection of all historical references and an emphasis on a machine aesthetics which expressed an image of rationality.”
Postmodernism in Architecture and Planning: What kind of style? (Bourassa, 1989)

Elements of Modern Architecture

In a general sense, Modernist buildings are easy to identify. Distinctive features include:

      • Repetition of simple shapes and uniformity in design
      • A flat roof
      • Constructed from mainly industrial materials
      • A dominant presence over the surrounding environment

Elements of Postmodern Architecture

From an architectural point of view, the challenge of convention meant that elements of playfulness and appropriation of earlier styles were involved. Features of Postmodern architecture include:

      • Evidence of appropriation and pastiche
      • Numerous ornamental or pictorial features
      • Varying materials, colours and designs
      • Blending in with the surrounding environment

With an array of different styles and designs, Charles Jencks argued that by mixing and mis-matching in this way, architecture opens itself up to a wider audience and engages more people to interpret what they see, rather than forcing one absolute uniform style.

Examples of Postmodern Architecture

Federation Square

Melbourne - Australia

The development of Federation Square began in the mid-1990s. Part way through the project development, the Melbourne City Council established an international design competition. In July 1997, a London firm won the design which brought together distinct elements while maintaining “a visual and formal coherence” and had the necessary ingredients for “a structure of longevity and memorable greatness - boldness, freedom, invention and excitement”.

The design of Federation Square is considered Postmodern with its abstract lines and shapes. When standing in the middle of this open space, each building has distinct features which separates it from the one next to it. However, when looking at Federation Square as a whole, there is a sense of coherence. The fractured geometry is described in ‘Federation Square’ (1999) as representing the “order of our times”.

“In this chaotic order we can wander without need for visual clues to guide our path, things are not apparent, and do not occur where they may should be. It is a function of architects to represent this state of being in their building...”
Federation Square (Federation Square Management, 2001)

The Bauhaus

Weimar (1919 to 1925) Dessau (1925 to 1932) and Berlin (1932 to 1933) - Germany

The Bauhaus was a school of architecture, art and crafts in Germany that ‘resisted the established fine art system by trying to reunite art and craft and restore art's social purpose’. It operated in three different German cities from 1919 to 1933 and was founded by Walter Gropius in Weimar. His manifesto (below) for the new school announced not only the idea of overcoming the division between art, craft and architecture, but also reflected the difficulty of the task. Along with Mies van der Rohe, they developed a new style of architecture which would strip it to the essentials.

“Architects, sculptors, painters, we must all turn to the crafts... There is no essential difference between the artist and the craftsman. The artist is an exalted craftsman. In rare moments of inspiration, moments beyond the control of his will, the grace of heaven may cause his work to blossom into art. But proficiency in his craft is essential to every artist. Therein lies a source of creative imagination. Let us create a new guild of craftsmen, without the class distinctions, which raise an arrogant barrier between craftsman and artist. Together let us create a new building of the future.”
Programm des Staatlichen Bauhauses (Gropius, 1919)

The Bauhaus was one of the most famous experiments in art education in the modern era. During its brief existence, the school developed several styles of design which influenced every branch of art and architecture.

Other Examples of Postmodern Architecture

• New Parliament House (compare its features to Old Parliament House)
• National Museum of Australia
• Las Vegas

¹ Jencks, Charles. What is Postmodernism? Fourth Edition. London: Academy Editions, 1996.