Last edited 12 Jul 2017

Deconstructivism

Deconstructivism is a Postmodern architectural style characterised by the idea of fragmentation and the manipulation of a structure’s surface. Buildings adopting the style are often formed of components that have been disassembled and reassembled in a new and unorthodox way, giving the impression of a chaotic design devoid of precise logic.

It attempts to move away from the conventions of modernism that can be viewed as ‘constricting rules’, such as the notions that ‘form follows function’, ‘purity of form’, and ‘truth to materials’.

Deconstructivism in architecture was influenced by the deconstructivist theories of the French philosopher Jacques Derrida, who said that ‘architecture is nothing but one of many ways of communication’. It was also influenced by early-20th century constructivist architecture developed in Soviet Russia.

Deconstructivism developed out of the postmodern style and first gained widespread attention in 1988 with an exhibition entitled ‘Deconstructivist Architecture’ in New York’s Museum of Modern Art. The exhibition featured the work of architects such as Frank Gehry, Rem Koolhaas and Zaha Hadid. Where deconstructivism deviates from the postmodernist style in its rejection of ornament as decoration.

Other defining stylistic features include:

Unrelated forms.
Abstract nature.
Smooth exterior surfaces.
Contrast of shapes and forms.
Large expanses of a single material (glass, metals, masonry, etc.).
Window frames often hidden in the walls.
Simple metal frame doors.
Exposed materials.

The rise in prominence of computer-aided design (CAD) in contemporary architecture was a key factor in the development of deconstructivism, as three-dimensional modeling enabled the intricate design of complicated and unorthodox shapes and spaces.

Despite seeking to distance himself from the label, one of the most prominent architects associated with the style is Frank Gehry, whose Santa Monica residence – the building for which he first received critical acclaim – is regarded as the prototypical deconstructivist building, as well as his later buildings the Guggenheim Museum and Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Other architects who have been identified with the style are Zaha Hadid, Peter Eisenman, Rem Koolhaas, and Daniel Libeskind.

The most notable examples of deconstructivism are: