Sub:Minimal

15 Playful Postmodern Architecture Examples – Architectural Digest

February 18, 2020

Minimalist Architecture

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 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

two buildings in the shape of pyramids

Photo by Syntrus Archmea. Image courtesy of Phaidon.

The Ordnance Pavilion by Studio Mutt, 2018

The Lake District, Cumbria, England

a slanted house with a giant pink sculpture and an eyeball

Photo by Steven Barber. Image courtesy of Studio MUTT.

Industry City Mural by Camille Walala, 2018

Brooklyn, New York

a tall skinny building with colorful tiles

© industry City. Image courtesy of Phaidon.

Médiathèque by Mario Botta, 1988

Villeurbanne, France

two buildings with cutouts

© Pino Musi. Image courtesy of Phaidon.

M2 Building by Kengo Kuma, 1991

Tokyo, Japan

a building with a large roman column in it

© wakiiii. Image courtesy of Phaidon.

Robot Building by Sumet Jumsai, 1986

Bangkok, Thailand

a building that looks like a robot

Photo by Dirk Verwoerd. Image courtesy of Phaidon.

Hotel Zaandam by WAM Architecten, 2010

Amsterdam, the Netherlands

a building with green roofs

© WAM architecten. Photo by Peter E. Barnes. Image courtesy of Phaidon.

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

Los Angeles, California

a building that looks like a pair of binoculars

Photo by Elizabeth Daniels. Image courtesy of Phaidon.

Ting 1 by Wingårdh Arkitektkontor, 2013

Örnsköldsvik, Sweden

a building with colorful cutouts

Photo by Tord-Rikard Söderström. Image courtesy of Phaidon.

Kindergarten Wolfartsweier by Tomi Ungerer and Ayla Suzan Yöndel, 2002

Karlsruhe, Germany

a building that is shaped like a cat

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

a colorful parking garage that is multipurposed

Photo by Fernando Alda. Image courtesy of Paredes Pedrosa arquitectos.

A House for Essex by FAT and Grayson Perry, 2015

Manningtree, Essex, England

a funky church that has a bunch of colors and shapes

Photo by Jack Hobhouse. Image courtesy of Phaidon.

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

Giova, Switzerland

a building far away that is made up of shapes

Photo by Simone Mengani. Image courtesy of Phaidon.

Best Products Showroom by SITE, James Wines, 1979

Miami, Florida

a building that looks like a chunk has been taken out

Photo by James Wines. Image courtesy of Phaidon.

China Wharf by CZWG Architects, 1988

Bermondsey, London, England

a large red U turn stripe on a glass building

Photo by Jo Reid and John Peck. Image courtesy of CZWG Architects LLP.

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

a book cover in 3d

Image courtesy of Phaidon.