Postmodernism in architecture emerged in the 1950s-1970s as a rejection of modernism's strict formalism and functionalism. It emphasized ornamentation, contextuality, and eclecticism by incorporating historical elements and references. Some key characteristics included hybridity, contradiction, ambiguity, and inclusion of historical styles. Prominent postmodern architects included Robert Venturi, Philip Johnson, Charles Moore, and Michael Graves, whose works featured classical references and symbolic ornamentation. Postmodernism remains influential today through its emphasis on diversity and contextual design.

1. Post Modernism Ashish Tiwari
World War ii
Modernism
Post-Modernism
“ Architects can no longer afford to be
intimidated by the puritanically moral
language of orthodox Modern architecture.”
– Robert Venturi
Post- Modernism
1920
1939
1945
Less Is More Less Is a bore

2. Post Modernism Ashish Tiwari
Postmodernism in architecture began in 1950s, but did not become a movement until the late
1970s and continues to influence present-day architecture.
• The Postmodernist movement began in America around the 1950s–1970s.
• Then it spread to Europe.
• Then rest of the world, to remain right through to the present.

3. Post Modernism Ashish Tiwari
• Postmodernity in architecture is return
of "wit, ornament and reference"
• Architecture in response to the
formalism of the International Style of
modernism.
‘Wit, ornament and reference’
• societies wants a
new world out of the
box,
• Fade up with the
rectilinear boxes.
• Rejection of traditional beliefs such as an all-
powerful God and looked inwards at man and
his self-consciousness.
Modernism - 1920’s
After the World war II

4. Post Modernism Ashish Tiwari
• Modernist architects may regard
postmodern buildings as vulgar,
• Associated with a populist ethic, and
sharing the design elements of shopping
malls and may cluttered with "gewgaw's".
• Postmodernism focused on traditional gable
roof
• While Postmodern architects may regard many
modern buildings as soulless and bland, overly
simplistic and abstract.
• Modernism focused on iconic flat
roof
Shedding water away from the center of the building,
such a roof form always served a functional purpose in
climates with rain and snow, and was a logical way to
achieve larger spans with shorter structural members,
but it was nevertheless relatively rare in modern
houses.
(These were, after all, "machines for living,"
according to LeCorbusier, and machines did
not usually have gabled roofs.)
Modernism v/s Post Modernism
• 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.

5. Post Modernism Ashish Tiwari
Aims & Characteristics
Hans Hollein Abteiberg Museum
• Leave room for various implementations as can be
illustrated by the diverse buildings created during the
movement.
• The characteristics of postmodernism allow its aim to be
expressed in diverse ways.
• These characteristics include the use of
sculptural forms, ornaments,
anthropomorphism and materials which
perform trompe l’oeil.
• These physical characteristics are combined with
conceptual characteristics of meaning.
• These characteristics of meaning include
pluralism, double coding, flying buttresses
and high ceilings, irony and paradox.

6. Post Modernism Ashish Tiwari
The ‘Post-Modern Architects
• Frank Gehry.
• Robert Venturi. • Philip Johnson.
• Charles Moore.
• Michael Graves.
• Robert A.M. Stern.

7. Post Modernism Ashish Tiwari
I like elements which are :-
• hybrid rather than ‘pure’,
• compromising rather than ‘clean’,
• distorted rather than ‘straightforward’,
• ambiguous rather than ‘articulated’,
• perverse as well as impersonal,
• boring as well as ‘interesting’,
• conventional rather than ‘designed’,
• accommodating rather than excluding,
• redundant rather than simple,
• vestigial as well as innovating,
• inconsistent and equivocal rather than
direct and clear.
• I am for messy vitality over obvious unity.
• I include the non sequitor and proclaim
the duality.
Robert Venturi’s Vision
Vanna Venturi House, Pennsylvania, 1962
In this modest dwelling, Venturi combined simplicity
of external form with complexity of interior layout,
and conventional symbols and elements with
contradictory arrangements.The house was
constructed with intentional formal architectural,
historical and aesthetic contradictions.

8. Post Modernism Ashish Tiwari
AT&T Building, New York
1984
Philip Johnson and John Burgee, American Telephone and
Telegraph Headquarters, New York, 1984.
The Miesian Tradition
• With this building and its references to
architectural styles of the past. Philip
Johnson broke completely with the Miesian
tradition.
• In fact, his client had said emphatically that
the company did not want another glass box.
Philip Johnson

9. Post Modernism Ashish Tiwari
Architect - Chapman TaylorTrafford Centre,
Manchester
Classical style
Interior Of Trafford Centre
Compare with
Pantheon-Rome
Compare with
Crystal palace

10. Post Modernism Ashish Tiwari
Other Post-Modern Examples
City Hall, Mississauga, Canada , 1987
Bank of America Center, Houston, John Burgee and
Philip Johnson, 1984 combines architecture elements
of pre-WWII skyscrapers with elements of modern
aesthetics

11. Post Modernism Ashish Tiwari
Charles MoorePiazza d’ Italia, 1979

12. Post Modernism Ashish Tiwari
• Graves describes his work with the figural elements
traceable to ‘classical and anthropomorphic
sources’.
• The Portland Building in Portland, Oregon (1980) is
replete with quotations from the classical language:
• the temples on the roof (never built), the giant
keystone beneath them, the pair of fluted pilasters
of indeterminate order, and the tiered stylobate at
street level.
The green base,
terracotta-colored
columns, and tan
flanking walls
punctured by square
windows.`
The Portland Building in Portland, Oregon (1980)
Michael Graves, 1934

13. Post Modernism Ashish Tiwari
Michael Graves designed the building, which
features large figures of the dwarves from Snow
White and the Seven Dwarfs on its facade acting
as caryatids.
Swan and Dolphin Hotel, Michael Graves
Disneyworld, Orlando, Florida, 1987Team Disney Burbank, California, 1991.
Michael Graves

14. Post Modernism Ashish Tiwari
Resort World, Manila, Philippines.
Impact On Today
Contemporary Architecture.
Ishtar gate Babylonian.

15. Post Modernism Ashish Tiwari
References:-
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/postmodern_architecture
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/postmodernity
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/postmodernism
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/postmodern_philosophy
• www.google.com/postmodern+architecture
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manifestations_of_Postmodernism
Books:
• History of Architecture :- Banister Fletcher
• A global history of architecture :- D. k. Ching, Vikramadiya prakash
• Postmodernism :- Christopher Butler