Contemporary Architectural Theory (Book Review Sample)

Contemporary Architectural Theory
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Contemporary Architectural Theory
Architecture has evolved over the years and still continues to grow as time moves. The ultimate aim of each architect is not to work for a single customer; rather that individual work should be done with an aim of attracting more clients. With time, designers have come up with newer models and designs that are meant to appeal to more customers. This critical analysis will focus on two articles that tell us about the evolution and growth of architecture. We will look keenly at the ideas propagated in the two articles and make a comparison between the two. We will identify any similarities or differences between in the ideas presented in the two articles.
Charles Jencks’ "What Then Is Post-Modernism?" talks about the changes that have occurred in the architecture world due to modernity. It looks at the entire picture of modern and postmodern things and how they have changed over the years. Charles says that "the neologisms ‘capitalism and socialism’ were modern when they were used in 1810, but today the hybrid ‘socialism’ of the advanced economies could be called post-modern." The sentence suggests that what might have appeared Modern a few years ago might not be modern at this time, and new things that get currently referred to as postmodern.[Charles Jencks "What Then Is Post-Modernism?" October 2009. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.]
Denise Scott Brown also talks about the evolution of architecture with time. In this article "Architecture Theory since 1968." And edited by K. Michael Hays in 2000, they talk about architectural designs and how they should get made with futuristic systems. It talks about the modern techniques of architecture that involves the use of more modern technology. The author suggests that any new designs must get done with reference to the formal models as a way of incorporating them. The author calls for the current architects to ensure they develop their structures with respect to the formal standards that are universally accepted.[Denise Scott Brown, Architecture Theory since 1968, 2000, edited by K.Michael Hays. Casabella 359-360 Dec. 1971]
Looking at these two articles, they talk about the future as well as the growth of architecture. Jencks tries to look at how the words modern and postmodern have been used to describe architectural designs over time. He compares the use of these words to other subjects such as technology, socialism and capitalism. He attributes modern and postmodern architecture to the changes that are being witnessed throughout the world. Brown also talks about how architecture has changed over time. He discusses how forms for new and existing grounds for design have changed. These changes have occurred due to the changes that have occurred in the world such as technological and social changes.[Charles Jencks "What Then Is Post-Modernism?" October 2009. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.] [Denise Scott Brown, Architecture Theory since 1968, 2000, edited by K.Michael Hays. Casabella 359-360 Dec. 1971]
Architects have to look at these new designs to gain more knowledge and understanding of what their profession requires. Jencks calls on all architects to have an open mind when it comes to developing postmodern designs. They should ensure the postmodern designs are much better than their modern counterparts. However, there is a difficulty in determining what is modern and what is postmodern. Brown also calls on all architects to ensure their designs get incorporated into the formal architectural plans. They must make a better judgment when coming up with a new design with the hope more people will embrace it. The author identifies the pop culture as similar to modern architecture. Pop artists must always come up with new music to remain relevant to their fan base. A similar scenario is true with architects who need to come up with new and better designs to gain more clients.[Denise Scott Brown, Architecture Theory since 1968, 2000, edited by K.Michael Hays. Casabella 359-360 Dec. 1971]
There are some differences that can get witnessed in the two articles. Denise Brown talks about architecture theory since 1968. He talks of how new sources of architectu...