Postmodern architecture, which arose from a period of malaise in the 1950s, gained traction in the second half of the twentieth century as a response to the more rigid international and modernist styles that were beginning to dominate many city skylines. The alchemy of various architectural traditions to form a diversity of forms and aesthetic points of view characterizes the postmodern style, which is characterized whimsy and perhaps a little excess. Many of the larger commercial structures built in 2011 can be classified as postmodern architecture.
The degree to which postmodern construction abandons the utilitarian focus of the modernist movement of architecture in favor of more technically unnecessary elements is one way in which it differs from earlier styles. A modern skyscraper, for example, could be adorned with soaring ledges with gabling, or classical columns could be incorporated for aesthetic reasons rather than practical ones. Neo-eclectic architecture is another term for this blending of old and new styles.
From the mundane to the monumental, examples of postmodern architecture can be found all over the country. To tap into an area’s distinct charm, modern shopping malls or commercial districts frequently combine postmodern architecture with previously prominent characteristics. Other notable buildings in this style include Disney Hall in Los Angeles, the furniture-like Sony Tower skyscraper in New York City, and the Scottish Parliament Complex in Holyrood, Scotland, which many critics consider to be among the best examples of British postmodernism.
Postmodern architecture has merged with another late-twentieth-century architectural movement, historic preservation, and its emphasis on “new urbanism.” This latter movement focuses on infusing postmodern architectural touches into tired historic districts across the country. When used in this context, designs often exaggerate the classical elements, as seen in Chicago’s Harold Washington Library, which features a mix of beaux-art and modern touches accentuated bold cornices and tall corner statues.
Historic elements, on the other hand, are frequently absent from postmodern architecture, with a mix of all modern styles sufficing instead. The College Life Insurance building in Indianapolis, Indiana, was one of the first prominent examples of the postmodern style. The building, which was completed in 1972, is a far cry from the International School of Architecture’s standard tall box-of-glass skyscraper. Instead, the developer chose to construct three smaller, oddly shaped structures linked outdoor or underground walkways.