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ARCHITECTURA FROM POSTWAR TO PRESENT
Step into the architectural time machine, where postwar visions converge with today's skyline.
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C 29.11.2023
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Modernism 1945-1960s
Unité d'Habitation Epitomizes modernist architecture with its modular design, pilotis, and free facade principles. This vertical garden city innovatively integrates various functions, providing double-height living spaces and balconies for residents. The communal rooftop terrace underscores the building's emphasis on shared living. The estructure encapsulates the transition from modernism to postmodernism through several innovative concepts.
1952 Its emphasis on community living and shared spaces aligns with modernist functionality while anticipating postmodern ideas of diversity and flexibility in urban design. The proyect save as an architectural bridge, merging modernist innovation with postmodern principles, marking a dynamic transition between two distinct eras in architecture.
280 Bd Michelet, 13008 Marseille, Francia
LeCorbusier
LONDRES
THE SMITHSONS
Realized in London in the early 1950s, presents a visionary attempt at creating a vertical community with elevated walkways named as Streets in the sky . From an architectural perspective,tilizes Brutalist aesthetics, employing raw materials like brick and concrete. While seeking to integrate with the urban context post-World War II, questions arise regarding its impact on the human scale and the balance between communal living and privacy. The project is celebrated for its innovative concepts, organized their scheme based on a hierarchy of human association rather than the fourfunction hierarchy of Athens (dwelling, work, recreation, circulation) and byintroducing new categories: house, street, district, and city
1951– 1952
GOLDEN LANE
Modernism
JULY 1953
C.I.A.M Congress
9th
Bagnols-sur-Ceze,France
This congress fostered debates on the role of architecture in post-war reconstruction, emphasizing the need for socially responsive designs and innovative approaches to urban planning, ultimately influencing the trajectory of architectural movements in the mid-20th century.
This congress marked a pivotal moment in architectural discourse. Focused on "The Heart of the City," it brought forth discussions on urban design and housing. The presentation of the "Urban Reidentification" study, featuring the Golden Lane housing project, played a crucial role in shaping the iconography of the emerging New Brutalism movement.
Team X Doorn Manifesto 1954
Presented in Doorn, Netherlands, was a significant moment in architectural history. Spearheaded by Team 10, it marked a departure from orthodox modernism.
Emerged as a dissident group within the modernist architectural movement. Led by architects such as Alison and Peter Smithson, Aldo van Eyck, and Jaap Bakema, Team 10 sought to reformulate the rigid principles of CIAM. Rejecting the CIAM orthodoxy, advocated for a more humane and contextual approach to architecture, emphasizing individual needs, social considerations, and regional identities.
Modernism
NEW BRUTALISM
Image:HunstantonSchool
19 53
The term "New Brutalism" was coined in reference to Alison and Peter Smithson's Soho House project, marking the movement's origin. This name was a reference to Le Corbusier's béton brut and a parody of naming trends in Architectural Review. The term "new" was added to distinguish it from earlier forms of Brutalism and to emphasize the innovative and evolving nature of the architectural style.
Modernism
Buckminster
Image:QeodesicdomeMontreal
Born in 1895, he gained prominence for his innovative designs, including the geodesic dome, popularized in the 1950s. Operating at the intersection of modernism and futurism, Fuller's work transcended architectural norms. His geodesic domes, characterized by their efficient use of materials and structural integrity, reflected the ethos of mid-century modernism. A prominent figure in the World Design Science Decade, Fuller's impact extended to various movements, influencing sustainable design and systems thinking.
1895 1983
FULLER
Postmodernism
1961
LONDON
ARCHIGRAM
Archigram proposed radical, futuristic designs that embraced the spirit of the era. Influenced by pop art, science fiction, and the burgeoning technology landscape, Archigram envisioned ephemeral and plug-in cities, proposing concepts like the Walking City and the Instant City. Their work, characterized by bold graphics and innovative ideas, transcended conventional architectural norms and laid the groundwork for experimental and speculative design thinking.
Image:WalkinCity
Image:Plugin City
Postmodernism
ARCHI ZOOM
1966
Florence,Italy
formed by four architects, Andrea Branzi, Gilberto Corretti, Paolo Deganello, Massimo Morozzi, and two designers, Dario Bartolini and Lucia Bartolin, played a pivotal role in the Radical Design movement. Operating at the intersection of architecture and design, Archizoom sought to deconstruct traditional spatial concepts. Their work, heavily influenced by pop culture, consumerism, and the rise of mass media, challenged established architectural norms. Notable projects include the iconic "No-Stop City," a theoretical, never-realized megastructure that critiqued the relentless pace of urban development. Archizoom's emphasis on anti-monumentality, irony, and the exploration of the contemporary urban condition positioned them as key contributors to the Radical Design movement, leaving a lasting impact on architectural discourse and theory.
Image:No-StopCity
Postmodernism
Superstudio 1966
Superstudio aimed to critique and envision alternative futures for architecture. Their work, influenced by utopian ideals and a response to societal changes, was marked by projects such as the Continuous Monument, an unbroken structure spanning landscapes. Superstudio's theoretical explorations often took the form of provocative drawings and installations, reflecting their skepticism toward conventional architectural practices. Their influence transcended geographical boundaries, contributing significantly to global discussions on architecture, urbanism, and the impact of technology on the built environment during the late 20th century.
Florence,Italy Image:Supersurfaceproject
日本語
Postmodernism
千九百六十
1960
METABOLISM Japan's Metabolism movement, born in the 1960s, marked a significant chapter in post-war architecture. The movement's key figures, including Kenzo Tange, Kiyonori Kikutake, and Kisho Kurokawa, envisioned a dynamic and adaptable architecture that responded to the rapid urbanization and technological progress of the time. Metabolism proposed megastructural projects,seeking to create flexible and evolving urban environments.
The death of Modernism ST. LUIS MISSOURI
The demolition of Pruitt-Igoe in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1972 marked a symbolic turning point in the narrative of modernist architecture. Completed in the mid-1950s, Pruitt-Igoe was conceived as a modernist solution to urban housing, reflecting the ideals of the International Style and functionalist principles. However, by the 1970s, the complex had become emblematic of the failures of modernist urban planning, plagued by issues of neglect, crime, and social isolation. Its demolition is often considered a watershed moment, signaling the disillusionment with the modernist ideals of large-scale, high-rise housing projects. This event underscored the need for a reassessment of modernist urban planning, ushering in an era of more diverse and contextsensitive architectural approaches in response to the shortcomings of modernist visions.
1972
RobertVenturi Postmodernism
Complexity andContradiction
Robert Venturi, born in Philadelphia in 1925 and a prominent figure in the latter half of the 20th century, played a pivotal role in challenging the orthodoxies of modernist architecture. Venturi, along with his partner Denise Scott Brown, became a leading voice in the postmodern movement. Their work, "Learning from Las Vegas" (1972), conducted a detailed analysis of the Las Vegas Strip, celebrating its kitsch and commercial symbolism as valid architectural expressions. Rejecting the formalist ideals of modernism,
Rejecting the purist notions of form and function, Venturi advocated for complexity, contradiction, and the inclusion of historical references in design. influencing architects to reconsider the rigid doctrines of modernism and embrace a more nuanced, contextually aware, and inclusive architectural language. The Vanna Venturi House features a pitched roof, intentionally asymmetrical façade, and classical elements like a centrally placed chimney. Its design challenges the prevailing modernist emphasis on simplicity and functionalism, offering a nuanced and self-reflective approach to architecture.
Postmodernism
Peter
1967
Eisenman Eisenman's work often defies conventional architectural norms, and his theoretical writings, particularly "Formalist Intentions" (1967), have left an enduring impact. One of the New York Five architects, his designs, showcase a commitment to abstraction, fragmented forms, and the exploration of spatial complexities.
Influenced by semiotics and linguistic theories, Eisenman's architecture transcends mere functionality, contributing significantly to the theoretical discourse on the nature of architectural form.
Postmodernism
Eisenman
Peter
House II
1973
House II, also known as the Frank Residence, is characterized by a fragmented, geometric composition. It features a grid structure, with overlapping and tilted volumes that create a visually complex and unconventional living space
Postmodernism
House IV
Eisenman
Peter
1973
House IV, continues Eisenman's exploration of deconstructivist ideas. It is distinguished by its asymmetrical composition, irregular forms, and fragmented planes. The design challenges conventional notions of architectural coherence, inviting occupants to engage with spaces that unfold in unexpected ways.
“The generative rule system would bring about a series of moves, like in a game of chess, in which each move is a response to the last. With each move, the system produces different alternatives and then readjusts itself. The end product could not be predicted in advance.”
Postmodernism
Aldo Rossi image:"TheArchitectureoftheCity"
1931|1997 Aldo Rossi, born in Milan in 1931, emerged as a leading figure in 20th-century architecture, associated primarily with the movement of Postmodernism. His influential book "The Architecture of the City" (1966) marked a significant departure from the prevailing modernist discourse, emphasizing the role of collective memory and the city as a palimpsest of historical layers.
Rossi's designs, showcase his commitment to typological investigations and contextual sensitivity. With his incorporation of historical forms and urban elements, Rossi became a key proponent of Postmodern architecture, rejecting the formalism of modernism in favor of a more timeless and evocative architectural language.
70's
Postmodernism
HIGH TECH image:Pompidoucenter
Characterized by technological innovation, industrial aesthetics, and a focus on structural expression. Emerging in the 1970s and reaching its zenith in the 1980s, this architectural movement saw architects like Norman Foster, Richard Rogers, and Renzo Piano designing landmark structures like the Pompidou Centre in Paris (1977).
This movement embraced advanced engineering solutions, showcasing exposed steel structures, high-tech materials, and innovative building systems as integral components of design. This movement, situated primarily in the United Kingdom, marked a departure from traditional architectural styles.
Postmodernism
Norman Foster
born in Manchester in 1935, is a renowned British architect whose career has been characterized by innovation and a commitment to sustainability. A pivotal figure in the HIGHTECH architectural movement. His notable projects include the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts in Norwich (1978), the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank Headquarters in Hong Kong (1986), and the Millennium Bridge in London (2000). Foster's architecture reflects a harmonious blend of technology, functionality, and aesthetics, epitomized by his emphasis on transparency and the integration of cutting-edge materials.
1935 1996
Postmodernism
Grimshaw
Nicholas Grimshaw, born in 1939 in Hove, England associated with the High-Tech movement, Grimshaw is recognized for his emphasis on technological innovation and structural expression. His design for the Service Tower for student housing exemplifies these principles, showcasing a sleek, functional aesthetic with a focus on transparency and efficiency.
1939
Postmodernism
Deconstructivismn emerged as a movement that sought to challenge traditional notions of form, structure, and spatial organization. This architectural style rejected the rigid geometries of modernism and embraced fragmented, non-linear forms, creating structures that defied conventional expectations. Deconstructivism drew inspiration from philosophical deconstruction, disrupting conventional ideof stability, harmony, and purity in architecture. Architects of this movement are not merely seeking to expand boundaries; they are determined to shatter the limitations that have long confined architecture. as of order and stability in architecture. This movement, challenges the foundations
m s
t i v c i u r
econ
1960
s t
D s
1978
Frank Gehry
His projects explore transformation, internal conflict, and tension between forms, challenging perceptions of structures and distinctions between the interior and exterior of buildings.
Image:s:HouseGehryandHouse Familian
Rem
1982
Postmodernism
Born in Rotterdam in 1944. Co-founder of the Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) in 1975, Koolhaas's works associated with the Deconstructivist movement ,defies conventional architectural norms focuses on distorting form, creating visual and structural tensions, and adapting existing elements in his designs, and a keen awareness of urban contexts.
Image: Thesilk-screentriptychfortheBoompjesproject
Khoolhaas
The Boompjes was designed in the early 1980s for a long and narrow riverside site in Rotterdam
Postmodernism
ZahaHadid Image: Thepeak
Baghdad in 1950, emerged as a prominent figure in the architectural movement of deconstructivism during the late 20th century, influenced by russian constructivism. Hadid's early work within the period of deconstructivism is exemplified by projects such as The Peak Club in Hong Kong (1983) and the Vitra Fire Station in Germany (1993) where she focuses on the abstraction of urban elements, creating visually and structurally striking interactions.
1983
Software
CAD
1982
This computer-aided design software not only revolutionized graphic representation but also fundamentally altered how architects conceptualize, design, and document their projects. AutoCAD opened new possibilities by streamlining drawing tasks and enabling more precise and detailed representation of architectural ideas.
Postmodernism
Bernard Tschumi Image:Parc de la Villette
Bernard Tschumi, born in 1944 in Lausanne, Switzerland, his work challenges the conventions of modernist ideals, embracing disjunction, fragmentation, and the incorporation of diverse influences, superimposing ordering systems, and creating architectural designs with distortions and conflicts that generate a history of successive idealizations and deviations.
19 85
1986
Coop
Image: Theheartof acity
Himmelb(l)au Coop Himmelb(l)au, founded in 1968 by Austrian architects Wolf D. Prix, Helmut Swiczinsky, and Michael Holzer, their work challenges conventional architectural norms through the abstraction of urban elements, creating visually and structurally striking interactions. Her designs explore unusual spaces and merge opposing concepts. Coop Himmelb(l)au's architecture reflects a fusion of art, technology, and spatial innovation, contributing significantly to the global discourse on deconstructivism and experimental design.
Postmodernism
Daniel Libeskind
1987
Image:Urbanedge
Born in 1946 in Łódź, Poland, Libeskind's designs are characterized by angular forms, fragmented geometries, and a deep engagement with historical and cultural contexts.