The Other Side of Post-Modern Architecture
Post-Modern Architecture
Postmodern architecture began as an international style the first examples of which are generally cited as being from the 1950s, but did not become a style until the late 1970s and continues to influence present-day architecture. Postmodernity in architecture considered to be the revival of the past architectural style that “wit, ornament and reference” to architecture in response to the formalism of the International Style of modern architecture. Perhaps most obviously, architects rediscovered the expressive and symbolic value of architectural elements and forms that had evolved through centuries of building which had been abandoned by the modern style. The divergence in opinions comes down to a difference in goals: modernism 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 meaning and expression in the use of building techniques, forms, and stylistic references.
Post-modern architecture favor expressing meanings of buildings through linguistic analogies such as methapor, word and phrases, syntaxes, semantics, and semiotic are used to strengthened expression in post-modern work. Metaphor use in architecture, derived from linguistics, talks about one thing in terms of another; the final interpretation is depends on the individual perspective. For example, the Beijing National Stadium, the building shape have similarity with the bird nest but some say it looks like a hat. Word and Phrases use in architecture is more to the game of a word that represent two or more design ideas. For example, column is the element of writing in the newspaper but it could also represent something else that is doric coloumn.
IN BEIJING, CHINA BY HERZOG & DE MEURON, 2008. PHOTOGRAPH
BY DAVID BASULTO
Syntaxes use in architecture is more the use a set of rules principle to form an architecture proposal. For example, using the principle of tulips flower moves to design a kinetics façade. Semantics use in architecture, derived from linguistics that concernes with meaning, uses syntax to deliver certain meaning. For example, The Church of Light represent “sacred” by made the church dark with a little source of light (the + shape openings). The last, semiotic use in architecture devided into three types: Icon, physically has a similarity with what is conveyed. Index, in sensory has a relation with what is intended. The last, symbol, no direct relation to what is conveyed but is a result of a mutual agreement/consensus.
The Biggest Challenge in Reading a Post-Modern Architecture Work
The biggest challenge in reading a post-modern architecture work is to determine whether that the architecture is considered to be post-modern or not and determine the true meaning of the architecture itself. This is happen because the diversity of the aesthetic; there is no exact boundaries to design one because the post-modern uphold freedom in designing. The architect could express themselves through the architecture in their own way; make it iconic by having a way of designing that is personal and has a distinctive character compared to other architects. That is why it is really blurred when it comes to determine the post-modern works because there is no such patrameters.
TOKYO, JAPAN BY KISHO KUROKAWA, 1972. PHOTOGRAPH: RORY STOTT
There is also shifting paradigm in a way of why the architecture is made and how it interpreted the meanings; the building is likely made to intrigued the user by create ambiguous meanings that only the architect itself know the true meanings of their work. The example of the case is Nakagin Capsule Towers. In Owen Hopkins books the works is considered to be the modernism because like a cell, the building comprised a collection of semi-autonomous components and these could be replaced as needed in a similar way to the parts of a machine (very functional). But the other side, the architect says that he use the methapor of bird cage for businessmen flying to Tokyo as his idea. The building shape have several interpretation; looks like a bricks, stacking rooms, or laundry machine.
Post-Modern Architecture Nowadays
IN LONDON, ENGLAND BY JOHN OUTRAM, 1988. PHOTOGRAPH:
JAMES O. DAVIES
In my perspective, post-modern architecture is still relevant today. The architecture of our times is more about expressing the architects vision, the personal characteristic when designing, the idea that want to be shown in the works, is likely growing to become stronger day by days. The use of post-modern ways to emphasize the architecture meanings such as metaphor, word and phrases, syntaxes, and semantics is still used until now and likely to be more developed. Yes, it is made a more diverse style or design characteristic that unique and belong to one architect. But the other side, the ‘competition’ between the architects itself is tougher; one should become the most unique, eccentric, different, and at some points bending theirself to fit in the current flow of the demands that will always dynamically changed day by day.
Reference
Jencks, C. (2006). The iconic building is here to stay. City, 10(1), 3–20. doi:10.1080/13604810600594605
Jencks, C., & Koolhaas, R. (2011). Radical Post-Modernism and Content: Charles Jencks and Rem Koolhaas Debate the Issue. Architectural Design, 81(5), 32–45. doi:10.1002/ad.1293
Fez-Barringten, B., & Hart, E. (2012). Architecture: The making of metaphors. Newcastle upon Tyne, UK: Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
Klotz, H. (1988). The history of postmodern architecture. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.