Introduction
Postmodernism came to be in the 1950’s and began as an offshoot of the previously accepted modernist ideology (Stern 72). The main argument made in this paper is that the post-modernist approach to architecture was a representation of the effort by architecture to establish a voice of its own. This argument portrays architecture as a dynamic field, with the advancement of knowledge and technology shaping the outlook of the architects of a particular period. Postmodernism can, therefore, be perceived as an attempt by the architects to challenge the status quo in regards to architectural practice while meeting the perceived needs of the society at the time (Boyne and Rattansi 32).
The theory of modernism in architecture
Postmodernism traces its roots in modernism, where the suitability of architectural work was based on the utility of their designs or structures (Groat 12). Various scholars were at the forefront of pushing the modernist ideology, including architects such as Le Corbusier, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius (Caffey 5). Another key aspect that defined modernism was the attempt to offer technical solutions to every problem that encountered the society, which was sometimes characterized by extremist ideas (Ghirardo 71).
The postmodern movement
The scholarly basis of postmodernism came from modernist ideology because the pioneer postmodern architects were all products of the modernist ideology (Otero-Pailos 69). According to Jenks, double coding is a major factor defining postmodernism, where postmodernism comes out as a platform for architects to combine traditional approaches to design with a fresh perspective (14). The roots of postmodernism can be arguably traced to America, where the ideology grew and expanded into Europe and the rest of the world (Brown 11). A majority of postmodern architectural works were a reflection of the emphasis placed on comfort and beauty (Hutcheon 182). After gaining an identity, postmodernism resulted to the designing of some of the world’s most famous buildings such as the Piazza d'Italia of 1978, the Portland Building in 1982 and the AT&T Building in 1984 (Willette).
Aspects defining postmodernism
Various aspects were essential in helping postmodern architects develop a voice of their own. Despite the fact that postmodernism was reactionary to modernist architecture, it slowly developed its ideology, postulated by scholars such as John Adams, Andy Warhol, Robert Venturi and Willem de Kooning (Caffey 5). Postmodernism as a term originated from Jenks’s analysis of Venturi’s work, with the term used to describe a movement that sought to include the needs of the society when making architectural designs (Jencks 155).
The first aspect that helped in the development of the postmodern voice in architecture is placing emphasis on ornaments, where architects come up with designs that were appealing to the eye; designs, which people could easily relate to. Examples here include the Venice Beach house and the Portland Building (Kunkel).
The second factor was the realization of symmetry, achieved through the creation of an illusion of space and finding a balance between creating a solemn mood and creating a connection and some form of excitement to the people (Stern 72).
Postmodernists also sought to come up with architectural work, able to communicate with its users and the wider society. Here, buildings that were not only functional but also bearing a meaning to people’s lives (Boyne and Rattansi 43).
Diversity was another aspect in helping the development of the postmodern voice, where architecture could not be confined into individual styles (Jencks 156). This is because postmodernism was against the curtailing of architectural ideas (Ellis 272).
Besides, postmodernists were less focused on the future of architecture, but rather focused on the present. Unlike the modernists who emphasized on coming up with designs that would revolutionize architecture as a field, the postmodernists were involved in the creation of new versions of the architecture of the past (Boyne and Rattansi 46).
Lastly, the postmodern voice was the emphasis on content as opposed to formality. According to the postmodernists, the surface was more important in this perspective.
Implication for the future
The development of postmodernism set precedence for future approaches in architecture. Here, architecture appears to be a field that is dynamic, with future architects developing new dimensions of architecture. The future is likely to see the emergence of a different intellectual through that views architecture from a different perspective. The new light is expected to go beyond the expression of social realities, which was at the core of postmodernism (Petit 92). According to Otero-Pailos, a new approach to architecture will be defined by three fundamental aspects; authenticity, values, and specificity (77). These represent the values that the society appreciates, and which will be at the center of architectural approaches.
Conclusion
References
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