The document provides information about the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, designed by architect Frank Gehry. It discusses the museum's unique titanium cladding and curved geometric forms, as well as its role in revitalizing Bilbao. The museum was constructed between 1993-1997, using a 3D computer model to guide the complex steel structure and unique titanium tile skin. Natural light illuminates the galleries through large windows and skylights. The museum houses notable art installations and has become one of the most admired works of architecture from the late 20th century.

1. POST MODERN ARCHITECTURE
(ARCH 603)
LIPIKA PANDEY
6TH SEM, B.ARCH

2. POST MODERN ARCHITECTURE
o International architectural movement that emerged in the 1960s,
became prominent in the late 1970s and 80s, and remained a dominant
force in the 1990s.
o Rejection of strict rules set by the early modernists and seeks high
spirits in the use of building techniques, angles, and stylistic references
Postmodernist movement is often seen as an American movement,
starting in USA around the 1960s–1970s and then spreading to Europe
and the rest of the world.
o The movement largely has been a reaction against the austerity,
simplicity and functional design approach of the modern
architecture/international style Portland Public Services Building, 1982.
Michael Graves.
o The aims of Postmodernism or Late-modernism begin with its reaction
to Modernism; it tries to address the limitations of its predecessor.
o The list of aims is extended to include communicating ideas with the
public often in a witty way.

3. CHARACTERISTICS OF POSTMODERNISM
o Postmodern Architecture rejects the notion of “pure” or “perfect” form,
instead it draws from: all methods, materials, forms, & colors available
to architects.
o Moves away from the neutral white colors seen in modernism.
o The return of "wit, ornament and reference" to architecture.
o Took past components of different styles and melded them together to
create new means of design.
o It is known for the re-emergence of surface ornament, reference to its
surrounding buildings, and historical references.
o Revival of traditional elements and techniques. Post modernists looked
into past architecture in order to learn from it.
o Classical designs such as pillars, arches, and domes used in new, almost
humorous ways, just to send a message to the modernist people.

4. CHARACTERISTICS OF POSTMODERNISM
o It favored personal preferences and variety over objective truths and
principles!
o Sensitivity to the building’s context, history and the client’s
requirements.
o Physical characteristics - the use of sculptural forms, ornaments and
anthropomorphism.
o Conceptual characteristics - pluralism, double coding, high ceilings,
irony, paradox & contextualism.
o Used classical styles in new combinations: pillars, arches, domes, curtain
wall facades, sculptures and roman conventions.
o Similar to old cathedrals, draws the eye upwards toward the sky.
o Reconciled differences between old and new generations (culture wars).
Postmodern architecture takes old styles and updates them.

5. PIONEERS OF POSTMODERNISM
o Robert Venturi
o Philip Johnson
o Michael Graves

6. MODERNISM vs POSTMODERNISM

7. GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM, BILBAO
o Name Of Project – Guggenheim Museum
o Client - Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation
o Architect – Frank O Gehry
o Style – Deconstructivism
o Purpose – Basque au moving forward with the museum a site was
selected. Three architects were invited to participate to produce a
conceptual design there were no requirements in terms of drawings and
model. The architect were only asked to present what they thought
would convey they thought would convey their concept thorite
proposed the idea of Guggenheim museum Bilbao to the Solomon r.
Guggenheim in.
o Situated At – Bilbao, Spain
o Construction Started – Oct 1993
o Construction Finished – Oct 1997
o Famous For – Metal Cladding (Titanium Sheets are Used), Advanced
Steel Structure
o Internal Floor Area – 23817 sq. m

8. GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM, BILBAO

9. GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM, BILBAO

10. GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM, BILBAO

11. GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM, BILBAO
o Plan – The plan was to build a museum comprised of mostly curved surfaces. Some said it
cannot be built. The design was specified by a 3D computer model, with some 56,000
reference points. The model was used by numerically controlled machines for the
production of building components. It was also used to calculate the structural loadings
and stresses on the building. The use of the 3D computer model was a critical factor in
the construction of such a monumental building sculpture. The building is one of the
most admired architecture in last decade of the 20C. It was inaugurated in 1997.

12. GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM, BILBAO
o Construction – The museum is built on the site of a shipyard. The main building is made
up of a massive supporting steel structure with a thin skin of titanium tiles, protecting the
building from its environment. The steel girders come in many shapes and sizes. The 3D
computer model was used to specified each girder, to be made individually. The steel
structure is made up of three structural frames. The primarily steel girder frame supports
the weight of the building. The secondary sheathing frame is fixed onto the steel girders,
defining and support the curved surfaces. Lastly the tertiary frame is used for fixing the
titanium tiles to form the skin for the building.

13. GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM, BILBAO
o Construction – The titanium tiles are used to cover the building. Titanium is very strong
and very resistance to corrosion. Bilbao was one of the most polluted city in Europe in the
1980s. Titanium resistance to corrosion is due to a thin layer of titanium oxide formed on
the surface of the metal, which also gives the building its golden color. Above is the
reflections on the building in the rain. Titanium reflects light like a soap bubble giving it a
range of rainbow colors. Because of its curve surfaces, the building is very effective in
catching the natural light or the sunlight. Above is the reflections on the building on a
sunny morning with a clear sky. The interlocking titanium tiles are fixed onto the steel
frame by screws, through a layer bitumen rubber sealant, which ensures the building is
waterproof.

14. GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM, BILBAO
o Construction – The top half of the building is mostly empty spaces, allowing a decorative
sculptural shape to put on top of the building. The red line roughly divides the utilized
space below and the empty spaces above. Giant vents were constructed to allow natural
light to illuminate the interior and for ventilations. The museum is situated next to the
river.

15. GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM, BILBAO
o Atrium – The titanium part of the building is windowless. This contrasts with the large
glass curtain walling of the atrium. Large glass wall allowing natural light to enter the
building. The atrium is a crucial element of the building. It connects the different galleries
together. It is an area half way between the exterior and the interior of the museum.
Hanging passage ways link the upper galleries, recreating a vision of a future metropolis.
A hanging passage way links the upper galleries and provides an aerial view of the city.
Empty spaces above the galleries. Flat surfaces and straight lines like the lift shaft is
hidden under covers of curved surfaces.

16. GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM, BILBAO
o Roof Lights – Roof lights are used extensively for natural lights to enter the galleries.
o Exterior – Top right is the ‘Sail’ producing the illusion of movement, according to Gehry.
The ramp allows public access to the river. Previously this area was a dock.

17. GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM, BILBAO
o Exhibit – The Floral Puppy changes its costume with seasons. There is an internal system
that irrigates the flowers. There is the largest gallery which houses Richard Serra’s The
Matter of Time (1994-2005), which are made from 2 inches thick free standing steel
plates. One can walk through Richard Serra’s sculpture the Snake. There is a biggest
image in the museum. It is called Waking (1984) by Gilbert and George. photo piece.
There is a Column of Silver Spheres by the Indian-born British sculptor Anish Kapoor who
also designed the Arcelor Mittal Orbit at the Olympics park London. On the patio outside
the atrium there is the sculpture, Tulips by Jeff Konns. There is also a column of Silver
Spheres and golden titanium tiles. The 10m high sculpture called Maman (Mother), a
spider looking sculpture by Louise Bourgeois, who sees the spider as a symbol for her
mother is also there. Within the spider, it carries 26 marbles eggs. There is an exhibition at
the museum called From Object to Sculpture, showing the work of the French artist
Antoni Tapies.

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19. GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM, BILBAO

20. THANK YOU!