Commercial & Institutional

Is postmodern a "style"? The postmodern era is most associated with architecture appearing since the late 1970s, continuing through today. Often postmodern architecture is referred to as neo-eclectic, essentially representing a revival of period styles for houses, and an unending variety of forms and sleek, asymmetrical designs for commercial buildings. Postmodernism is basically an allusion to the past, with multiple associations and meanings. It is a rejection of modernist thought, a return to traditional, historical precedents, a re-awakened interest in history and heritage. Postmodernism coincides with both the historic preservation movement and the new urbanism movement quite well. Contemporary skyscrapers (office towers) and their designers are basically thumbing their collective noses at the now-bland "anonymous glass box" architecture of the International era.