Contemporary Architecture – Generally and in Context
Contemporary architecture is a broad term that encompasses a wide range of architectural movements and styles from the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Some of the most notable movements within contemporary architecture include:
Deconstructivism: A movement that emerged in the late 1980s and early 1990s, deconstructivism is characterized by its fragmented, disjointed, and unpredictable forms.
Neomodernism: A movement that emerged in the late 1990s and early 2000s, neomodernism is a return to the principles of modernism, with an emphasis on simplicity, functionality, and sustainability.
Metamodernism: A movement that emerged in the early 2010s, metamodernism is a synthesis of modernism and postmodernism, seeking to balance the idealism and progressivism of the former with the eclecticism and skepticism of the latter.
Phenomenology is a philosophical approach to design that focuses on the human experience of space. Phenomenological architects believe that architecture should be designed to evoke an emotional response from the user, and they seek to create spaces that are both physically and emotionally comfortable.
Futurism was an early 20th-century art movement that celebrated speed, dynamism, and technology. Futurist architects sought to create a new architecture that was appropriate for the modern age.
Neofuturism is a late 20th-century and early 21st-century architectural movement that emerged as a reaction to the postmodernist movement. Neofuturism is characterized by its use of bold, geometric forms, new materials and technologies, and a sense of optimism about the future.
Bauhaus was a German art school and design movement that operated from 1919 to 1933. Bauhaus architects were known for their simple, geometric designs and their use of modern materials such as steel, glass, and concrete.
International Style is a major architectural movement of the 20th century. It emerged in Europe in the 1920s and spread to the United States in the 1930s. The International Style is characterized by its simple, geometric forms, lack of ornamentation, and use of modern materials such as steel, glass, and concrete.
Postmodernism is an architectural movement that emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It was a reaction against the strict rules and regulations of modernist architecture. Postmodern architects sought to create a more playful and eclectic style of architecture.
Modernism is an architectural movement that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a reaction against the traditional architectural styles of the past, such as Victorian and Gothic architecture. Modernist architects sought to create a new architecture that was appropriate for the modern age.
All of these terms are related to each other within the field of architecture, as they represent different movements and styles that have emerged over time. Some of these movements are more closely related than others, for example, neomodernism is a direct response to postmodernism, and metamodernism is a synthesis of modernism and postmodernism.
However, all of these movements have had a significant impact on the development of contemporary
architecture. Contemporary architects often draw inspiration from multiple movements, and they are constantly innovating and developing new styles.