Postmodern Architecture: Key Features, Principles and Iconic Examples

Postmodern Architecture was a bold movement in the world of building design. It started in the 1960s against the plain and serious style of modern architecture. They used to look like simple glass and steel boxes. While modernism followed the rule “form follows function.” However, postmodernism wanted something more fun, colorful, and daring.

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Get to know the features and other important details of Postmodern Architecture in this guide!

From Boring to Bold

Modern architects always wanted clean lines and no decorations. They focused on less is more.

But, a famous architect named Robert Venturi disagreed! He famously joked, “Less is a bore.”

This phrase helped to start a revolution. Instead of plain buildings, postmodernists wanted designs that used:

• Bright colors
• References to history (like old Greek columns mixed with modern shapes)
• Pop-culture symbols

Key Moments and People

The movement really took off after the 1972 book Learning from Las Vegas. It was written by Denise Scott Brown and Robert Venturi. 

They argued that architects should learn from the fun shapes rather than ignoring them.

The style became very popular during the 1980s and 1990s. The most famous architects are:

• Robert Venturi 
• Denise Scott Brown
• Philip Johnson
• Michael Graves
• Charles Moore

The Core Principles of Postmodern Architecture

Postmodern architecture is an ideology. The movement was called as a cultural expression by a historian. But this specific type of style rejected the idea of adhering to a specific set of rules. 

The guiding principles of this architectural styles include:

Rejection of Modernist Dogma

Postmodern architecture was getting popular against the hard rules of the past. Instead of making buildings look like simple boxes, postmodern architects wanted to have more fun. 

They rejected the idea that buildings should all look the same. Instead, they used decorations, bright colors, and unusual shapes. 

Historical Reference and Eclecticism

In very simple terms, this specific style is like a combination of the old and the new. Architects used modern building methods but added fun details from history. It includes:

• old-fashioned columns or arches, just for decoration
• smooth glass buildings of the past
• bright patterns to tell a story  

Contextual Sensitivity

Designers used contextualism to combine new structures with existing cultural designs. A building could respond to local history without copying it directly.

Pluralism

Rather than following one single vision of what architecture should be. This certain type of style was popular for diversity and the combination of different ideas.

Features That Define Postmodern Buildings

• Bold Color Palettes

  • Architects used pastels and bright neon color palettes. Color was used in all the parts of the building to create a unique space.

• Playfulness

  • Elements of humor and whimsy are often featured in postmodern buildings.  

• Classical Motifs Reimagined 

  • This design mixes various classical architectural features. It includes arches and pillars with modern materials like steel and glass.

• Asymmetry and Sculptural Forms

  • Asymmetry was a pillar of this style. The main reason is its ability to capture attention and create unique buildings. The most common ones are:
    • Sloping pillars and walls
    • Contrasting structures  

• Material Experimentation

  • Postmodernism used materials that could be changed in appearance. It had bold use of color and pattern.

Examples of Postmodern Architecture

Portland Building, Portland: 

It is located in Downtown Portland. The Portland Building was designed by Michael Graves.  It was one of the first buildings to use postmodernism. 

The building has:

• a tan stucco facade that rises from a green tiled base
• stretches fifteen stories with a sky blue top.  

AT&T Building, New York

This building was designed by Phillip Johnson. It is famous for its chippendale top.

Piazza d’Italia, New Orleans

It is located in New Orleans. This public square combines high modernism with classical Roman post.

Neue Staatsgalerie

This combines modern and classical architecture in a different manner. The classical elements have been painted in varying bright colors and the site is sloped. The modern entrance features a blue steel trellis with a glass roof and orange doors that lead to a green floor. The gallery has many curved steel elements.

M2 Building, Tokyo 

It is Designed by Kengo Kuma. It has:

• an odd postmodern design that combines the classical and the futuristic style
• Has oversized columns and arches
• It also has a sleek finish

Conclusion

Postmodern Architecture focuses on the concept that buildings should mean something. These buildings must provide an attractive look. However, this style not only changed the look of the buildings but also how we think about what buildings are for.