The document provides an overview of Robert Venturi's design philosophy and key works. It discusses two of Venturi's most important books - "Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture" and "Learning from Las Vegas" - which challenged modernist principles and advocated embracing complexity in architecture. It also summarizes several of Venturi's landmark buildings, including the Vanna Venturi House, Sainsbury Wing of the National Gallery in London, and extensions to the Seattle Art Museum and Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. The document poses questions about balancing architectural preservation with expansion and modernization.

1. ROBERT VENTURI
2 books
6 buildings
Design philosophy
Fun tasks! LECTURE NUMBER -1
CLASS #2
SUBJECT: HISTORY OF
ARCHITECTURE IV
INSTRUCTOR: QT
AED-SSUET FALL 2023 1

2. Feedback for 1st submission!
1500 words essay for HoA-I, HoA-II, HoA-III
Standing out submissions: Paras * Tasmia
Omama, Saud, Soomiyah, Ilsa, Anam,
Sehar
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3. DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
Understanding Venturi’s Design Philosophy
via his 2 books…
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4. A - COMPLEXITY AND CONTRADCITION
IN ARCHITECTURE
Book by Robert Venturi
(1966)
…the most important
architectural text written since
Le Corbusier’s 1923 manifesto
Vers une architecture.
4

5. 1: Embracing
Complexity and
Contradiction:
Venturi argued that architecture
should embrace the complexity
of modern life and that it
doesn't need to follow rigid,
minimalist principles. He
believed that architecture could
incorporate diverse and
sometimes contradictory
elements, reflecting the
complexities of contemporary
society.
5

6. 2: Rejecting
Modernist
Orthodoxy:
Venturi's ideas directly
challenged the modernist
orthodoxy of the time, which
emphasized minimalism,
functionalism, and the
rejection of ornamentation.
He encouraged architects to
explore historical styles and
employ ornamentation in a
thoughtful and meaningful
way. 6

7. 3: "Less Is a Bore": Venturi famously coined the
phrase "Less is a bore" in contrast
to Mies van der Rohe's "Less is
more."
He believed that minimalism and
simplicity, when taken to the
extreme, could result in
monotonous and uninspiring
architecture.
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8. 4: Contextualism: Venturi advocated for designing
buildings that respond to their
surroundings and the existing built
environment.
He believed that buildings should
relate to their context and engage
with their surroundings, rather than
standing as isolated objects.
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9. 5: Symbolism and
Decoration:
Venturi championed the use of
symbolism and decoration in
architecture.
He believed that architecture could
convey meaning and engage with
its users by incorporating symbolic
elements and ornamentation.
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10. 6: Hierarchy of
Spaces:
Venturi emphasized the creation of
a hierarchy of spaces within a
building, with some spaces being
more prominent and expressive
than others. This approach added
depth and interest to architectural
compositions.
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11. 7: Inclusive Design: Venturi's philosophy included the idea
that architecture should be designed with
a broad public audience in mind.
He believed that architects should
consider the needs and preferences of a
wide range of people.
11

12. B - LEARNING FROM LAS VEGAS
Robert Venturi, Denise Scott Brown,
Steven Izenour (1972 & 1977)
Learning from Las Vegas is one of the
five most important books of
architecture in the 20th century, up
there with Le Corbusier's Towards a
New Architecture, Rem Koolhaas's
Delirious New York, Aldo Rossi's The
Architecture of the City, and Venturi's
own Complexity and Contradiction in
Architecture.
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13. "Learning from Las Vegas" is considered a
classic in architectural literature and is often
used in architectural education as a basis for
discussing the relationship between
architecture, urban design, and popular
culture.
It remains relevant in the study of architecture
and urban planning, especially in
understanding how ordinary, commercial
environments can be a source of inspiration
and study for architects.
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14. 1: Theoretical
Framework:
"Learning from Las Vegas" is a seminal
work in the postmodern architectural
movement.
It provides a new theoretical
framework for understanding and
appreciating the built environment,
particularly in the context of post-WWII
America.
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15. 2: Studying Pop
Culture and
Commercial
Architecture:
The authors conducted extensive
research on the urban landscape
of Las Vegas, which is
characterized by its sprawling
commercial architecture, neon
signs, and roadside attractions.
They explored how this seemingly
chaotic and kitsch environment
had its own form of order and
communicated to its users.
Kitsch: art, objects, or design considered to be in poor
taste because of excessive garishness or sentimentality,
but sometimes appreciated in an ironic or knowing way.
15

16. 3: The Concept of
"Duck" and
"Decorated Shed":
The book introduces two important
architectural concepts: "ducks" and
"decorated sheds."
Ducks are buildings that are iconic and
expressive, such as a building shaped
like a giant duck (hence the name).
Decorated sheds are buildings that
have a functional and simple structure
with decorative elements or signs.
The authors argued that both types of
buildings had their own merits and
could be appreciated in their respective
contexts.
16

17. 4: Complexity and
Contradiction:
Building on ideas from Venturi's
earlier book, "Complexity and
Contradiction in Architecture," the
authors suggested that
architecture and urban design
could benefit from embracing
complexity and contradiction.
They encouraged architects to
consider the multiple layers of
meaning that can be found in the
built environment.
17

18. 5: Critique of
Modernist
Principles:
"Learning from Las Vegas"
critiqued the modernist
architectural principles of the time,
which emphasized simplicity,
functionalism, and the rejection of
ornamentation.
The book proposed that architects
should not dismiss the vernacular,
commercial, and popular aspects
of architecture but should
incorporate them into their
designs. 18

19. 6: Impact: The book has had a profound
impact on architectural theory and
practice, challenging conventional
architectural thinking and
encouraging a more inclusive and
diverse approach to design.
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20. What to turn in!
….sessionals …. Sessionals….
Task: Answer the questions given.
Draw neat sketches wherever necessary!
Physical Submission due: Tuesday 31st October 2023
Timings: 12:30 - 01:00
Location: Class!
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21. 1- CRAWFORD MANOR & THE GUILD HOUSE
- comparison between both Architectures for same users.
IDENTIFY THE FIRST COMMON TYPOLOGY OF
BOTH BUILDINGS.
Ps: You’re encouraged to use following links to
answer your questions:
https://archeyes.com/crawford-manor-housing-
elderly-paul-rudolph/
https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/case-
studies/a2674-the-guild-house-pennsylvania-by-
robert-venturi-most-influential-work-of-20th-
century-architecture/
TIP: Typology is the study and
classification of object types. In
urban planning and architecture,
typology refers to the task of
identifying and grouping buildings
and urban spaces according to the
similarity of their essential
characteristics.
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22. 2: Vanna Venturi
House!
1: Location (area, city, state and
country):
2: Designed for:
3: In how many years:
4: The facade is symmetrical.
Comment with a sketch!
5: Comment on the different sizes of
windows:
6: Define lunette window. Where do
you find it in Vanna Venturi’s house?
7: Print out the picture on the left.
Comment on its significance with
respect to American postage stamp! 22

23. 3- Sainsbury Wing
of the National
Gallery -
London, UK
The Sainsbury Wing is an extension to
the National Gallery in London.
The Sainsbury Wing, designed by Robert
Venturi and Denise Scott Brown, is a
significant architectural work that
harmoniously blends modern design with
the historic context of Trafalgar Square.
It's considered a masterpiece of
postmodern architecture and has been
recognized for its innovative and
contextually sensitive design.
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24. Use this plan in formulating your answer for the question given on next slide. Do incorporate
the chronological expansion of the National Gallery London in your answer. You’re advised to
take a handout of this plan or sketch manually in your submission on Tuesday for this answer.
24

25. Redesigning the Sainsbury Wing, would likely be a matter of architectural
and cultural debate. Some may argue that preserving the original design
is essential to maintain the historical and architectural significance of
the building. Others might propose changes to adapt the space to new
needs or design trends. Such discussions are common when dealing
with important architectural landmarks, and the final decision typically
involves various stakeholders, including architects, preservationists,
museum officials, and the public.
25

26. 4- Seattle Art Museum
https://www.nytimes.com/1992/02/16/arts/
architecture-view-an-art-museum-lifts-
seattle-s-cultural-profile.html
Using the link above, explain
in your own words how the
Seattle Art Museum gave
Robert Venturi the heights of
popularity he enjoyed as
Architect.
26

27. Using the link given below, reproduce at
least 10 of Venturi’s sketches.
For each sketch, put caption and 2 small
paragraphs explaining:
A- The reason of your choice for that
particular sketch.
B- Name the location and Architect of
that building/ Object.
https://art.seattleartmuseum.org/people/13033/robert-
venturi;jsessionid=649CF1CA385A00F0CE5360470C38F8E5
/objects
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28. Let's Discuss this Picture! As Architects tell me, why would you
design such a structure! 28

29. SURPRISE QUESTION! Who is Benjamin Franklin! What is significance of
Franklin’s Court! Comment on Franklin Court’s connection with Robert
Venturi! 29

30. The La Jolla
Building
6- Museum of
Contemporary
Art San Diego
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31. 1: What is the historical and architectural significance of the Museum
of Contemporary Art San Diego's Venturi and Scott Brown extension?
2: Why is there a petition to save the Venturi and Scott Brown
extension, and what are the primary concerns or issues associated
with its potential alteration or demolition?
3: Who initiated the petition, and what is their background or
motivation for preserving this architectural work?
4: Are there alternative approaches to modifying or expanding the
museum while retaining the Venturi and Scott Brown extension's
architectural integrity?
5: What is the role of public opinion and support in the preservation of
architectural landmarks like the Venturi and Scott Brown extension?
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32. 6: How does the architectural community view the potential redesign or
preservation of important postmodern architectural works?
7: What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of Selldorf Architects'
proposed changes to the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego extension?
8: What legal and regulatory processes are in place to protect historically and
architecturally significant buildings, and how do they apply in this case?
9: How does the preservation of architectural landmarks like the Venturi and
Scott Brown extension align with broader cultural and urban planning goals?
10: What steps can be taken to strike a balance between the need for
modernization and expansion and the preservation of architectural heritage?
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