Late Modern Architecture & Post Modern Architecture

Tending toward large commissions for corporate and institutional clients, late modernism is not avant-garde. Nor could it be. While the heroic modernism of the 1920s and 1930s argued for an imminent, Utopian (or, in Freudian terms, oceanic) future and the high modernism of the postwar era announced its arrival, in concert with American liberal democracy, late modernism d i operated t d after ft modernism d i h had db begun t to t take k d damage i in th the court of public opinion. Unsure of its position, between high modernism and postmodernism, late modernism is an uncomfortable period. Faced with the stark knowledge that after the victory of modernism modernism, the battle of the avant-garde was over, late modernists attempted to find ways of practicing in an era in which innovation had seemingly come to an end. Because of its relation to capital and post-avant-garde post avant garde stance, stance late modernist architecture is often deeply compromised, but in those failures, there are also lessons, andjust perhapsa key to our current condition. Among the architects we will consider are Philip Johnson, Paul Rudolph, Kevin Roche, Marcel Breuer, Skidmore Owings, and Merrill (the Chicago Office), Minoru Yamasaki, John Portman, and Cesar Pelli. Some of the topics covered will include phenomenology, minimalism, resistance, seriality, and the appropriation of cultural forms.

Late Modernism, also known as Hightech architecture or Structural Expressionism, is an architectural style that emerged in the late 80s, this style became a bridge between modernisms d i and d post-modernism. t d i Architecture in which the images, ideas and motifs of the Modern ideas, Movement were taken to extremes, structure, technology, and services being grossly overstated at a time when Modernism was being questioned. (see Pompidou)

In the year 1980s the high tech architecture started to look different from the post modern architecture. architecture Many of the themes and ideas which originated during the post modern times were added to the high tech architecture.

They say that Modern architecture is primarily driven by technological and engineering developments, and it is true that the availability of new building materials such as iron, steel, and glass drove the invention of new building techniques as part of the Industrial Revolution. Buildings designed in this style usually consist of glass f for th the f facade, d steel t l for f exterior support, and concrete for the floors and interior supports Example is the I.M. Pei's B k of Bank f China Chi T Tower i Hong in H Kong.

Pompidou Center

Centre National dArt et de Culture Georges P Pompidou, id P Paris i 1971-1977 1971 1977

Little effort made to adapt the building to its historical neighbourhood. neighbourhood Permeated with the spirit of time. Show the guts of the building.

Late Modernism

Late Modernism

Late Modernism

THE COUNTY LIBRARY AT COLUMBUS, INDIANA (1963-1969

is a simple rectangular block of brick with asymmetrically placed areas of glass at the entrance. Inside, a balcony level overlooks the main reading area where natural colors of materials and simple p forms g generate a sense of calm and order.

EAST WING, NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART, WASHINGTON DC WASHINGTON, DC., 1968-1978 1968 1978
An atrium space l d t leads to exhibition hibiti galleries on several levels. The plan of the building, based on triangular forms, makes for complex, interesting spatial relationships. p Balconies overlook the atrium, where a skylight roof floods the space with light light. The color scheme is neutral but is enlivened by the bright red of the mobile by Alexander Calder (1898-1976)

The building g is based on triangular forms that dominate the main atrium space; the skylight roof is formed by a triangular structural t t l grid. id B Balconies l i on several levels overlook the main open space and give access to galleries and other secondary spaces on seven levels. A giant mobile by Alexander Calder introduces brilliant red color into the otherwise neutral tonality of the space established by its marble wall surfaces.

PYRAMID, LOUVRE MUSEUM, PARIS, 1983-1989

The public space acts as a new entrance to the many traditional spaces that make up the famous museum. g it inspired p much Although doubt and controversy, the glass and metal structure has come to be recognized as a great success. Glimpses of the surrounding di R Renaissance i architecture are set off by the pyramidal geometry and the flow of the great winding stair that leads to the lower level entrance concourse.

The building g recalls the Crystal y Palace of 1851 with its glassy overhead grid braced with triangulation along its edges. Triangulation is a central theme for the pyramid structure in the court The steel and g glass py pyramid forms a new entrance to the Louvre, giving access to stairs and an elevator leading to a vast lower concourse that acts as an entrance foyer and location for shops, shops exhibits, and a caf. Although the introduction of the modern structure into the court of the historic Louvre raised much controversy , the completed projects has come to be recognized as a major success.

MUNICIPAL CENTER (CITY HALL) Dallas, Texas (1977)

the vast public space flooded with natural light is overlooked by balconies that give access to the various city offices. The concrete surfaces of a warm beige g color are surprisingly pleasant despite their vast areas; it is one of the most successful of American governmental public buildings.

JAVITS CONVENTION CENTER, NEW YORK (1979-1986)

Its lass and steel also form the structure of the huge exhibition areas The exterior of this mammoth, five-block long building is an assemblage of rectilinear forms, , all shaped p by a framework of prefabricated steel modules fitted with clear glass. Inside, the structure is supported by tubular steel pillars that resemble chunky champagne glasses. At its south end there's a spectacular 150-foot-high lobby dubbed the crystal lobby, palace. Also housed within the center's 1.8 million square feet: a 2,500 seat auditorium and acres of exhibition halls and meeting rooms.

In the 1980s, high-tech architecture hit t b became more difficult to distinguish from post-modern architecture. It is the simplification of form and the elimination of ornament. High Tech architecture is rooted in minimal and true use of material as well as absence of ornament, while postmodernism is a rejection of strict rules set by the early modernists and seeks exuberance in the use of building techniques, angles, and stylistic references.

A vivid example of this new approach was that Postmodernism saw the comeback of pillars and other elements of premodern d i designs, sometimes ti adapting d ti classical Greek and Roman examples. For example, in Modernism, the pillar (as a design feature) was either replaced by other technological means such as cantilevers, or masked completely by y curtain wall faades. The revival of the pillar was an aesthetic, rather than a technological, necessity.

By mid 80s, ornaments returned. Hightech architectures characteristics include the use of sculptural forms, ornaments, anthropomorphism and materials. t i l Th These physical h i l characteristics are combined with conceptual characteristics of meaning.

Ancient ruyi symbol adorning Taipei 101

Like in Frank Gehrys Venice Beach house, built in 1986, is littered with small ornamental details that would have been considered excessive and needless in Modernism. The Venice Beach House has an assembly of circular logs which exist mostly for decoration. g on top p do have a minor The logs purpose of holding up the window covers.

High Tech interiors The typical High Tech building symbolizes and represents technology rather than simply using it in the most efficient way possible. This style in the form in the last third of the 20th century. Arose from the design of industrial premises, where all elements of the situation subordinate functions. Designed openness, inclusion in the visual series i of f pipes, i fitti fittings, d t the ducts, th complex l structuring of space, favorite materials: metal, glass, concrete - all these characteristics of style high tech. tech

For interior design there was a trend of using formerly industrial appliances as household objects, e.g. chemical beakers as vases for flowers. This was because of an aim to use an industrial aesthetic.

High-tech Hi h t h architecture hit t aimed i d to t achieve hi a new industrial aesthetic, spurred on by the renewed faith in the progression of technology. technology Characteristics of high-tech architecture have varied somewhat, yet all have accentuated technical elements. They included the prominent display of the building's technical and functional components, and an orderly arrangement and use of pre-fabricated elements Glass walls and steel frames elements. were also immensely popular.

High Hi hT Tech h style t l d during i 80s 80 and d 90s 90 (even ( now) )i is popularized l i d and d commonly practiced by:

Richard Rogers

Santiago Calatrava

Norman Foster

Gunter Behnisch

Examples of High Tech Architecture During 80s

Hongkong and Shanghai Bank, by: Norman Foster

Built 1979 to 1986 steel frame and glass The Hong Th H K Kong and d Shanghai Sh h i Bank B k by Norman Foster is probably the best known, and most widely publicized building of the decade, decade largely because it was claimed to have cost more money than any other building to erect. erect Not withstanding that kind of publicity p y and the building's g subsequent overshadowing by far inferior competitors, it remains a unique architectural achievement and a small wonder of the modern age.

Experimental Research Center, Center by Gunter Behnisch: Built 1986 to 1987 stainless steel, glass

Lloyds Building Building, by Richard Rogers: Built 1979 to 1984 steel frame with glass curtain wall

Whereas the Wh th frame f of f the th building b ildi has a long life expectancy, the servant areas, filled with mechanical equipment have a relatively short life, life especially in this energy-critical period. The servant equipment, mechanical services, lifts, toilets, kitchens, fire stairs, , and lobbies, , sit loosely y in the tower framework, easily accessible for maintenance, and replaceable in the case of obsolescence.