High-tech architecture
'High-tech' is an architectural style that incorporates elements of the new high-tech industries and advanced construction techniques into building design. Also known as 'late modernism' or 'structural expressionism', it emerged in the 1970s as a response to a growing disillusionment with modern architecture that was felt to have produced monotonous, standardised structures.
High-tech often seen as being the link between modernism and postmodernism. Developed out of modernism, high-tech attached importance to the object itself rather than the object being a functional use of space. It aimed to achieve a new industrial aesthetic, inspired by technological progress and the computerisation of industry.
It sought to integrate the technical equipment of the building into its structure, marrying functionality with its aesthetics. This would be taken further by architects such as Richard Rogers on buildings such as Lloyds of London and the Centre Pompidou in a style that was sometimes referred to as 'bowellism', based on the idea that the greatest amount of free floor space could be maintained by externalising building services.
Some of the most well-known architects identified with the high-tech style are Norman Foster, Richard Rogers, Renzo Piano, Michael Hopkins, and Jean Nouvel.
Some of the most well-known examples of high-tech buildings are:
- City Hall, London.
- Bank of China Tower.
- Lloyds of London.
- Allianz Arena, Munich.
- Centre Pompidou.
- Beetham Tower, Manchester.
- Internationales Congress Centrum, Berlin.
- HSBC Headquarters, Hong Kong.
- Listing of Sainsbury's supermarket in Camden Town.
- Channel Four Television Headquarters.
- Schlumberger Research Laboratories, Cambridge.
- Renault parts distribution centre, Swindon.
- Grand Union Walk housing, London.
- TV-am building, Camden.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Architectural styles.
- Art Nouveau.
- Bank of China Tower.
- Blobitecture.
- Brutalism.
- Centre Pompidou.
- Concept architectural design.
- Constructivist architecture.
- Deconstructivism.
- Expressionist architecture.
- Fuji TV Building, Tokyo.
- Futurist architecture.
- International Style.
- Italian brutalism.
- Last Futures: Nature, Technology and the End of Architecture.
- Megastructure.
- Metabolism.
- Modernist architecture.
- Neo-futurism.
- Nicholas Grimshaw.
- Norman Foster.
- Parametricism.
- Postmodern architecture.
- Richard Rogers.
- Sage Gateshead.
- Speculative architecture.
[edit] External references
- MLJ - High-tech architecture
Featured articles and news
Heat pump announcements, what homeowners need to know
An 'ultimate guide to heat pumps' from a heating company.
Construction contract awards reach £7.1bn in February
Their highest level in seven months.
The journey to sustainability in heritage
Research is the key to better understanding.
Heritage approaches to adaptation, mitigation and loss.
Bridging the gap between policy, finance and installation.
Development on brownfield land
Definition, background, policy and the latest consultation.
With the Design Framework for Building Services.
Retrofit of Buildings, a CIOB Technical Publication
Pertinent technical issues, measures and the roles involved.
ECA joins HSE campaign to support mental health
Working Minds’ five simple steps based on risk assessment.
Mental health in the construction industry
Mental health issues in brief with related articles.
Transitional arrangements, Building Control and the BSR.
For pre-October buildings with substantial progress by April.
How to write an inspection and test plan
ITPs for quality control and assurance particular elements.
Why quality counts in domestic ventilation systems
From products, to systems to the installation.
Empowering the Future with CIOB Academy
Lifelong learning, upscaling, and reskilling for the built environment.
Winners of the 2024 ASBP Awards
Project, Product and Initiative according to the 6 pillars.