Architecture Should be Technologically Rational

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Recommended: Evaluate the concept of Postmodernism

In this essay, I will be exploring how some critics and argument that postmodernism has become a break in a modernist notion that architecture should be technologically rational, austere, and functional. Postmodernism, as general movement, will be the first topic I will explored, my aim is to find out what are the general definition of postmodernism. Looking into some of the postmodernism architecture and explore some facts and characteristic about it. Besides looking at postmodernism as a general movement, I’ll also investigate in several facts and the ideology in postmodern architecture. Furthermore, I’ll discuss on critics of postmodernism architect such as Charles Jencks and then look into two of Michael Graves building and explain how he has developed different strategies in overcoming the changes from modernism to postmodernism and follow by conclusion.

Modernism began in the 1890s and lasted until around 1945. Postmodernism then started at 1968 right after the Second World War. Modernism began as a rejection of the idea of cultural baggage of it pass. It is more about new ideas and also new ideas all of the time. Modernism is also based on using rational and logical most of the time. In architecture modernism played a role of bringing in new buildings after the two World Wars such as exploring new form, materials and also technology. It emphasize about simplicity in form and design, follow the principles of functional planning and obvious rejection of all the historical precedent and ornaments.

2.0 POSTMODERNISM

Postmodernism meaning ‘after modernism’, it is about the reaction towards modernism. Postmodern buildings are to change the mind set of how modernist architect thinks in terms of plannin...

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...umana Building

http://blog.dnevnik.hr/18-carat-gold-bracelets/2011/12/1629691857/humana-gold-providers-humana-gold.html

Accessed: 16th November 2013

• A postmodern gem, reconsidered: Graves’ Humana Building which once drew mixed reviews, now a fixture on Louisville skyline

http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/theskyline/2012/04/postmodern-gem-reconsidered-graves-humana-building-which-once-drew-mixed-reviews-now-a-fixture-on-lo.html

Accessed: 16th November 2013

• Postmodernism Timeline

http://www.wttw.com/main.taf?p=88,5

Accessed: 18th November 2013

8.2 BIBLIOGRAPHY

• Bertens, H.,(1995) The Idea of the Postmodern. A History. New York and London

• Jencks,C., (1991) Post-Modern Triumphs in London.

• Ghirardo,D. (1996) Architecture After Modernism , published by Thames & Hudson

• Jencks,C., (1988) Architecture Today

Accessed: 9th November 2013

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