Postmodernism in Architecture

Postmodern architecture can trace its roots back to the 1950's when it was first developed, however it was not widely used until the 1980's. The term can also be be applied to dance and art and is defined as "the combination of modern forms, materials, and techniques with the subtle and highly conscious use of motifs and conventions from earlier periods." In reference to architecture, it's said to have developed in contrast to the popular International style of the 1970's.

Popular architects of the style included Robert Venturi, Michael Graves, and James Stirling who were celebrated for their diverse designs which were meant to appeal to people of all walks of life. Unlike International style which was considered "stark" and "cold," postmodern architectures embraced decoration, drawing on the "symbolic qualities of specific architectural stylesolic qualities of specific architectural styles." It can be said that Postmodernism is a "parody of traditional architectural forms" which is apparent in Robert Stern's Chicago Tribune Tower (1980) which is is covered with reflective glass and constructed to resemble a "Modernist" office block originally conceived by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.Postmodernism architecture was a keystone style of the 1980's and it continues to thrive today, still appealing to people everywhere.

Posted By: Jessica Lantz

Sources:

"Postmodernism," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2009
http://uk.encarta.msn.com.

Image Retrieved October 22, 2009 from
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://indospectrum.com/images/photos/chicago-3/cd033_31may04_tribune1000.jpg&imgrefurl=http://indospectrum.com/photo/cd033_31may04_tribune1000&usg=__WA0w8yAOBBlbJo-o7wujNXtTg9k=&h=575&w=396&sz=54&hl=en&start=2&sig2=KJy_G7aKEZDIpg5FuPdyQg&um=1&tbnid=HFMxstRSfGaE1M:&tbnh=134&tbnw=92&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dchicago%2Btribune%2Bbuilding%26hl%3Den%26um%3D1&ei=rNPgSrX-BNHV-Qaau6mlCw