Postmodernism
The period between 1970 and 1980 saw the transformation in architecture from modernism to postmodernism principles and practices. Before then, modernism principles were the norm in the industry. According to Venturi et al. (3), modernism forms of architecture embodied features, such as progression, puristic, and utopian. Rather than enhance the state of the environment, architects at the time chose to change the existing environment. However, the advent of postmodernism eliminated the formality, absence of variety, and austerity of modernism. Architects, such as Graves and Johnson, welcomes postmodernism by adhering to the dubious delights of pop-cultural quotations in the 1970s. The works by James Stirling are a good example of postmodernism architecture adoption. The architect changed his approach, in particular, the context of structure expansion. The adoption of noticeable facades in place of galleries also represented the replaced of modernism in design. Facades were decorated with different colors while the interior was opened to the influence of exterior light. Architects, such as Ferguson and Grosvenor, were quick to implement the concept of open spaces to let in beautiful light. Apart from the introduction of colors and more open spaces in architecture, postmodernism did not neglect the use of ornaments. One architect, in particular, Hans Hollein, designed several boutiques that adopted ornament (Unit 6 Reading). Postmodernism also saw the reintroduction of classical themes into structure decorations. One of the structures that adopted postmodernism was the Piazza d’Italia in New Orleans, shown in Figure 1 below.
Fig 1: Piazza d’Italia, New Orleans (Unit 7 Reading)
Charles Moore designed the structure in 1979. It was a demonstration of the architect’s concept of an inclusive architecture. Moore adopted the use of both colors and ornament on its layers. They were brightly colored, ornamented with classical orders, and trimmed in metallic and neon. Piazza d’Italia is one of the few icons of postmodern architecture.
Works Cited
Unit 6: Between Elitism and Populism: Alternative Architecture.
Unit 7: Postmodernism: Charles Moore, Piazza d’Italia, New Orleans, postmodern (1979).
Venturi, Robert, Denise Scott Brown, and Steven Izenour. Learning from Las Vegas. Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press, 1967.