National Identity- A Semse of a Nation as a Cohesive Whole

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National Identity - A sense of a nation as a cohesive whole, as represented by distinctive traditions, culture, and language1 The architecture of the Twentieth century has been shaped by powerful social, economic and political forces. This has stemmed from influence of war, diverse political regimes, national and international architectural movements and technological development. Along with this architects and ideas has been able to travel around the world more than ever before and from this designs have become apparent that sought to break with the past. Architecture that was once specific and local has now become global. It would seem that the national identity of the past has been sacrificed for the development of modernity. The beginning of modern globalisation can be seen as far back as the First World War. It is at this point where we are able to start for the range of narrative that were to follow. Back then it was easy to distinguish between “British” architecture and “Saudi Arabian”. However, through time, significant encounters between cultures and technological inventions the national identity that each country possessed seems to be lost in a universal architectural language. Gone are the days of originality in architecture and instead they have been replaced by a uniformity of monumental, glazed structures. Architecture has evolved into a single, modern aesthetic. It is sometimes hard to see where the unique national features and mentalities lie in these buildings, especially with the increased and ever flourishing collaboration internationally. The questions to be asked are what remains of national styles today and how did we get here? What is of a particular interest is how “British” architecture has abando... ... middle of paper ... ...on in Architecture” Interpreted. Available at: http://rebarcollective.wordpress.com/2010/08/13/robert-venturi-complexity-and-contradiction-in-architecture-interpreted/ [Accessed 21 May 2014] Hugo,V,.1831. The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Wordsworth Editions Ltd. Jencks, C., 2014. La Strada Novissima: The 1980 Venice Biennale. Available at: http://www.domusweb.it/en/from-the-archive/2012/08/25/-em-la-strada-novissima-em--the-1980-venice-biennale.html [Accessed 22 May 2014] Thompson,M,. 2014. Architects Journal: London set for skyscraper boom. Available at: http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/london-set-for-skyscraper-boom/8660048.article [Accessed 22 May 2014] Venturi, R., 1984. Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture. New York:The Museum of Modern Art. Venturi,R.,1972. Learning from Las Vegas. Cambridge MA: MIT Press Robert Venturi- Learning from Las Vegas

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