Contemporary Architecture through the eyes of culture

by Reshmy Raphy, 1150100545

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, fi-
nance, theatre or architecture.Contemporary architecture has evolved over time ex-
pressing 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historical references or even mythological stories.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 minimalistical-
ly or extravagantly or maybe even a combo of both through built forms. Understand-
ing its evolution and deciphering as to how each form and concept pointing to a cul-
tural 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; multime-

dia; 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 reli-
gious power. It stood the test of time and passed on relevant messages to the upcom-
ing 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 Anni-
bale 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 cul-
tural 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 Stadi-
ums and Cultural Centres.

Discussion

Over the span of last 30 years, museum architecture has seen various styles from min-
imalism to new baroque and deconstructivism to sustainability.All these styles blend-
ed into the plans without creating and ridges. Now, one can observe the museum tra-
dition, 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.

The facade depicting a comic The underlying view

of the excavation site

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 Tur-
bine hall and boiler rooms were converted into an atrium and exhibition rooms, cafes,
restaurants and bookstores.

TATE Modern
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 li-
brary in Sendai, Japan with a very fluid and biomorphic approach.the built form con-
sisted 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 pre-
served 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 Phil-
harmonie 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 Her-
zog 8 De Meuron . Adjoining this was ‘the Water Cube’, an eloquent form by PTW Ar-
chitects.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 the-
Olympic 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 de-
pict 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 build-
ings. 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 ex-
travagantly 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 ref-
erence took shape becomes a tedious task. Modern technologies and profound socio-
logical questions constantly alter and shape the contemporary architecture we know
of today.