Opinions about ‘Deconstructivist Architecture’ are controversial and
often contradictory- some critics consider it as ‘a purely formal
exercise with little social significance and ambiguous meaning’ whereas
others see it as a way of locating ‘the inherent dilemmas within
buildings (and promoting) a serious and necessary criticism of unbridled
consumer culture and media-driven hyper reality’.
In view of the debate surrounding the nature of Deconstructivist
Architecture, discuss the ideas and philosophy related to it and argue
in favour or against one of the opinions expressed above. Use examples
as appropriate.
INTRODUCTION:
Deconstructivist architecture is a type of architecture developed in
the late 1980s and early 1990s. Unlike any other type of architectural
type, it escapes the conventional architectural pattern, breaking in
that way all the rules of constructive theory. The leader of this
movement was the French Philosopher Jacques Derrida, who as we shall see
later, with his ideas and philosophy has much influenced other
architects into accepting and applying this unpredictable type of
architecture.
In this course of paper, we will make a discussion on the concept of
‘deconstructive architecture’ analysing at the same time its elements
and background basic idea. Moreover, a historical development will be
made on deconstructivism showing what are the origins of the movement.
The philosophy will also be discussed behind this type of architecture
and all will appear simultaneously with examples of buildings
illustrating the concept of ‘deconstructivist architecture’. In
addition to the above, some criticism will be made on the subject
showing that the debate surrounding the nature of this form of
architecture is both controversial and contradictory. Examples and
commentary will be given by architects that have given their personal
opinion on the subject throughout the years.
MAIN PART:
As already mentioned above, deconstructivist architecture is a style
of architecture that contradicts the conventional methods of
architecture. While an architect would dream of pure form, by using
geometric shapes as cylinders, spheres, cones etc. avoiding instability
and disorder, deconstructivist architecture supports the exact opposite.
This type of architecture marks a different sensibility, one in which
this stability and uniformity is disturbed. And it is exactly this
ability to disturb our thinking that makes these projects
deconstructive.
The history and development:
Deconstructivist architecture has initially had two main
facets-modernism and postmodernism. While those two schools have ruled
almost all of the forms of architectural styles, deconstructivist
architecture opposed to their rationality. The journal Oppositions
(published 1973-84) in which postmodernist architects and
deconstructivist architects published their theories alongside each
other, has been the decisive separation between the two movements. While
postmodernism followed the historical references of modernism,
deconstructivism has gone the other way- rejecting its acceptance and
idea of ornament as an after-thought or decoration.
Deconstructivism has also been influenced by the Russian
Constructivism and Futurist movements of the early 20th century. Both
tendencies were concerned with the radical simplicity of geometric
forms, all expressed in graphics, sculpture and architecture. However,
Constructivism has followed the ornamentation of building, whereas
Deconstructivism refuted it. Maybe that is why this style of
architecture is called ‘deconstructivist’; because while it draws from
Constructivism, it radically deviates from it. Some Russian artists from
which Deconstructivism has been inspired, include Naum Gabo, Kazimir
Malevich and Alexander Rodchenko.
