15 Playfully Bold Examples of Postmodern Architecture

Katherine McGrath
·3 min read

Postmodern architecture arrived on the scene in the 1960s not with a whimper but with a bang. As a sharp, complex response to the Modernist style that supported the idea that simplicity was beautiful, Postmodernism instead ushered in a rush of bold, whimsical designs that were anything but minimalist. With striking colors, references to classical and Gothic styles, a variety of materials and shapes, and an air of playfulness, Postmodern structures are easily identifiable not only by their signature characteristics but also by the stringent forms they reject. The style is perhaps best summed up most famously by architect Robert Venturi, who responded to Mies van der Rohe positing that "Less is more" with "Less is a bore." Venturi is widely credited as being the founding father of Postmodernism, introducing his new vision with his early designs including the Vanna Venturi House and Guild House. The style—as captured in a new book out from Phaidon titled Postmodern Architecture: Less is a Bore—carries on today, as whimsical buildings with bold colors, ornaments, and different cultural references continue to pop up around the globe. Ahead, 15 examples of the style.

Piramides by Soeters van Eldonk Architecten, 2006

Amsterdam, the Netherlands

<h1 class="title">piramides 01</h1><cite class="credit">Photo by Syntrus Archmea. Image courtesy of Phaidon. </cite>

piramides 01

Photo by Syntrus Archmea. Image courtesy of Phaidon.

The Ordnance Pavilion by Studio Mutt, 2018

The Lake District, Cumbria, England

<cite class="credit">Photo by Steven Barber. Image courtesy of Studio MUTT.</cite>
Photo by Steven Barber. Image courtesy of Studio MUTT.

Industry City Mural by Camille Walala, 2018

Brooklyn, New York

<cite class="credit">© industry City. Image courtesy of Phaidon.</cite>
© industry City. Image courtesy of Phaidon.

Médiathèque by Mario Botta, 1988

Villeurbanne, France

<cite class="credit">© Pino Musi. Image courtesy of Phaidon.</cite>
© Pino Musi. Image courtesy of Phaidon.

M2 Building by Kengo Kuma, 1991

Tokyo, Japan

<cite class="credit">© wakiiii. Image courtesy of Phaidon.</cite>
© wakiiii. Image courtesy of Phaidon.

Robot Building by Sumet Jumsai, 1986

Bangkok, Thailand

<cite class="credit">Photo by Dirk Verwoerd. Image courtesy of Phaidon.</cite>
Photo by Dirk Verwoerd. Image courtesy of Phaidon.

Hotel Zaandam by WAM Architecten, 2010

Amsterdam, the Netherlands

<cite class="credit">© WAM architecten. Photo by Peter E. Barnes. Image courtesy of Phaidon.</cite>
© WAM architecten. Photo by Peter E. Barnes. Image courtesy of Phaidon.

Chiat/Day Building by Frank Gehry and Claes Oldenburg, 1991

Los Angeles, California

<cite class="credit">Photo by Elizabeth Daniels. Image courtesy of Phaidon.</cite>
Photo by Elizabeth Daniels. Image courtesy of Phaidon.

Ting 1 by Wingårdh Arkitektkontor, 2013

Örnsköldsvik, Sweden

<cite class="credit">Photo by Tord-Rikard Söderström. Image courtesy of Phaidon.</cite>
Photo by Tord-Rikard Söderström. Image courtesy of Phaidon.

Kindergarten Wolfartsweier by Tomi Ungerer and Ayla Suzan Yöndel, 2002

Karlsruhe, Germany

<cite class="credit">Photo by Dirk Altenkirch. Image courtesy of Phaidon.</cite>
Photo by Dirk Altenkirch. Image courtesy of Phaidon.

Museum Garage by Jurgen Mayer H, Workac, Clavel Arquitectos, Nicolas Buffe, and K/R, 2018

Miami, Florida

<cite class="credit">Photo by Fernando Alda. Image courtesy of Paredes Pedrosa arquitectos.</cite>
Photo by Fernando Alda. Image courtesy of Paredes Pedrosa arquitectos.

A House for Essex by FAT and Grayson Perry, 2015

Manningtree, Essex, England

<cite class="credit">Photo by Jack Hobhouse. Image courtesy of Phaidon.</cite>
Photo by Jack Hobhouse. Image courtesy of Phaidon.

Church of Our Lady of Fatima by Mario Campi and Franco Pessina, 1989

Giova, Switzerland

<cite class="credit">Photo by Simone Mengani. Image courtesy of Phaidon.</cite>
Photo by Simone Mengani. Image courtesy of Phaidon.

Best Products Showroom by SITE, James Wines, 1979

Miami, Florida

<cite class="credit">Photo by James Wines. Image courtesy of Phaidon. </cite>
Photo by James Wines. Image courtesy of Phaidon.

China Wharf by CZWG Architects, 1988

Bermondsey, London, England

<cite class="credit">Photo by Jo Reid and John Peck. Image courtesy of CZWG Architects LLP.</cite>
Photo by Jo Reid and John Peck. Image courtesy of CZWG Architects LLP.

Postmodern Architecture: Less Is a Bore (Phaidon) is available now.

<cite class="credit">Image courtesy of Phaidon.</cite>
Image courtesy of Phaidon.

Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest

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