Contemporary Architecture through the eyes of culture

Abstract

Culture is an inevitable part of evolution and gives something or someone an identity. Its recurrent link can be observed in any field any you choose say; music, politics, finance, theatre or architecture.Contemporary architecture has evolved over time expressing a wide range of meanings and ideas. A style which could be an amalgamation of different existing styles or something out of the box born out of different styles as influenced by their background cultures. While a design may be born out of ones ideas, it can represent his or her cultural backdrop as well. A challenge that arises here is to design while keeping in mind the users’ or clients’ cultural tie-up. Over the years various architects and designers debated and arrived at solutions which were tailored according to the client’s cultural setting. Museums, multimedia libraries, concert halls and sports stadiums have been taken and broken down into fragments which can be viewed with a cultural tint. Exploring famous and striking examples from around the world that heeding to their cultural influences can paint a figurative idea of contemporary architecture in the light of culture. Culture is strongly backed up by historical references or even mythological stories. These altogether build the set up for a site. Contemporary architecture has the power to express either minimalistically or extravagantly or maybe even a combo of both through built forms. Understanding its evolution and deciphering as to how each form and concept pointing to a cultural reference took shape becomes a tedious task. Modern technologies and profound sociological questions constantly alter and shape the contemporary architecture we know of today.

Keywords:

Contemporary architecture; culture; history; museum; music; multimedia; libraries; sports stadiums

Introduction

Architecture was used as a powerful tool of communication since ages. Huge castles, forts, palaces and churches significantly portrayed military or administrative or religious power. It stood the test of time and passed on relevant messages to the upcoming generations. Sometimes it was used as a medium to convey contrary beliefs or draw parallels between various style. A splendid example of such architectural wonder is Villa Medici in Rome. Built upon the Pincio hill by Giovanni Lippi and his son Annibale Lippi in the mid-sixteenth century, it showcases two contrary worlds. Political and military power was expressed through its dark , severe and brutal front facing. The luxurious garden adjoining this Villa had a different story to tell. Delicately worked upon and lined with rhythmic and carved facades, it showcased the artistic side. Together they stood together to form a powerful architectural entity.

Even as time has changed the way architecture stands in the modern society, each built form tells a tale of its origin, culture or function. This can be clearly observed in museums, concert halls, exhibition centres, theatres and libraries. Each speaks of its historic background. Some of them have evolved quite a lot out of their earlier forms while some still resonate their glorious past. Each design echos and reflects the cultural identity of the place where in it is constructed. A simple glance gives away the rich history of the place. Contemporary architecture has been successful in creating this image through the clever and abstract use of traditional forms and elements.

The building typology that contemporary architecture has actively covered to reflect the cultural identity consist mainly of Museums, Libraries, Music stores, Sports Stadiums and Cultural Centres.

Discussion

Over the span of last 30 years, museum architecture has seen various styles from minimalism to new baroque and deconstructivism to sustainability.All these styles blended into the plans without creating and ridges. Now, one can observe the museum tradition, each with a different planning solution.

The multi-coloured museum of contemporary art of Castile and Leon by Mansilla and Tunon in Spain can be stated as one example which completely resonate the stained glass and dazzling frescos of a gothic cathedral.

Bernard Tschumi’s Acropolis museum in Athens surprises its visitors with a view of the excavation sites giving a glimpse into the history of the city of Athens. Musee Herge in Louvain La Neuve, Belgium by Christian De Portzamparc, treats it with a façade straight out of a comic strip.

A museum stands successful only when it is able to convey the tales of its exhibits through its design. The cultural and traditional parameters often are adapted onto the design either metaphorically or abstractly. Renovation and reconstructive gives the designer an option of accommodating an entirely out of context function into the existing built form. One such example which shows the creative tint of the designer is Tate Modern which was originally designed by Giles Gilbert Scott. A 115 foot high Turbine hall and boiler rooms were converted into an atrium and exhibition rooms, cafes, restaurants and bookstores.

The next category of buildings are the multimedia libraries. They consist of exhibition halls, concert shows, screening events, diverse reading practices or studies. Moderate in size these hold the cultural backdrop of the place. Toyo Ito designed his media library in Sendai, Japan with a very fluid and biomorphic approach.the built form consisted of double walled glass screens that morph into a magic lantern resembling the energy of life and knowledge.The Morgan library in New York witnessed a graceful and elegant restoration under Renzo Piano, wherein its original brownstones remain preserved all the while flaunting a Neo - Renaissance garden.

The feat of turning a cookie factory into a multipurpose space was achieved by Patrick Bauchain. He neatly and cleverly executed this with a bare minimum of means.

Music has always managed to tell tales of victory and history very genuinely. And so does the importance of a concert hall wherein its been delivered. Jorn Utzon’s Sydney Opera house by the seaport cleverly replicates the sails of the boats that regularly deck the surrounding port. Another example of such magnificence is the Berlin Philharmonie by Hans Scharoun in 1963.

Juggling together resonance, assonance and dissonance, Renzo Piano put together three concert halls with a triple zinc shell structure in design for Parco della Musica in Rome. An haphazardly put together cubist sculpture at first sight, this opera house Casa Da Musica in Porto by Rem Koolhas transforms into a mysterious spaceship at nightfall striking the chord of curiosity.

The Greeks have been credited for their idea of a sports competition and Olympics. Their idea of a stadium outlines what have the present day. The games, the laurel wreaths and their glories were not much into limelight until the eighteenth century when the early stadiums were unearthed at Olympia. There started the journey of the very popular olympics we have now live broadcasted and a very positive attraction for tourism.

Tensile structures came into picture without disturbing the actual form of a stadium. Examples of the Olympic stadium at Munich and the Montreal Olympic complex by Roger Taillibert conveys the clear picture. The peak of design and evolution leads us to the Olympic stadium at Beijing in the form of a bird’s nest designed by Swiss Herzog 8 De Meuron . Adjoining this was ‘the Water Cube’, an eloquent form by PTW Architects.Both these enchant us at the nightfall with the magnificent glowworm charm.

Minimalism and high-tech combination is what which can be clearly observed in theOlympic tennis centre in Madrid , nicknamed the magic box and Olympic swimming pool and cycling track in Berlin both designed by Dominique Perrrault. Olympic games in Barcelona saw yet another different and deconstructive approach by Zaha Hadid known for her very unconventional and unique designs. Another interesting example would be the snow white Charlety Stadium by the father-son duo Gaudin and a very contrasting Volcano Stadium radiating the energy and sporting endeavour.

Conclusion

Architecture is the reflection of a place. Styles and design ideologies varies with time but the identity of the place remains intact. Any style can be efficiently used to depict the identity of the place. Contemporary architecture has the immense flexibility of showcasing the identity of a place. Hence, it is adapted to a wide range of buildings. Contemporary architecture continues to tell tales of the place through its vivid and abstract forms, enchanting and passing on knowledge to the generations to come. Contemporary architecture has the power to express either minimalistically or extravagantly or maybe even a combo of both through built forms. Understanding its evolution and deciphering as to how each form and concept pointing to a cultural reference took shape becomes a tedious task. Modern technologies and profound sociological questions constantly alter and shape the contemporary architecture we know of today.