Deconstructivism is a development of postmodern architecture that began
in the late 1980s. It is influenced by the theory of Deconstruction,
which is a form of semiotic analysis. It is characterized by ideas of
fragmentation, an interest in manipulating ideas of a structure's
surface or skin, and non-rectilinear
shapes which serve to distort and dislocate some of the elements of
architecture, such as structure and envelope. The finished visual
appearance of buildings that exhibit the many deconstructivist styles is
characterized by a stimulating unpredictability and a controlled chaos.
