Do you think modern architecture still reflects our society and our landscapes?

Answer 1

yes - if it didnt, no one would commision it

Answer 2

Perhaps it is true that it reflects modern society. But more still it reflects the taste of planning committees who are hardly ever qualified to give an opinion. Architects trying to build their own homes are turned down while builders working on designs which could have been from the 30s are approved. Falling Waters, one of the best known buildings in the world would never have been approved, nor the Taj Mahal for that matter.
In large civic projects they are simply trying to see what it is possible to build. Computers have substituted real design.
I have been living on one of the most beautiful sites in the area for 35 years, waiting for planning permission,. it is one field inside the greenbelt. There is a Georgian house at present which is falling down, not lived in since 1948. If I complete the demolition I might get permission to build. If I do that the area will lose a landmark and it will cost so much to do that there won't be any cash left to build. If and when I build the most environmentally friendly and beautiful house these same planners will flock to see !!
I can't imagine an uglier building than the new Scottish Parliament. It probably DOES reflect the ugliness of modern life

Answer 3

Problem with modern architecture is that it just doesn't fit the surroundings. Older buildings have brickwork features such as dentil work, arches and stone. Modern buildings can be just plain square with panel steel on the outside or stupid shapes.

The other thing is, although the modern building techniques are better (cavities, size of timber etc..), the quality of the materials and workmanship tend to be lacking and these buildings don't last.

Some modern buildings look like an inside-out toilet block and because of the lack of brickwork detail, they have no character. When your local council produces plans for a new fantastic part for your town or city, you look at it thinking it will be out of place, costs twice as much because of it's shape and on the whole what a waste of money. It also tends to mean losing some character building(s) from late 1800 to early 1900.

When you live in a city that's historical, it's getting much harder to work out what's historical about it. Other than "the city has seen such and such event at it's half disappeared castle" and the councils over the years has got shot of the rest.

Where I live, a tall blue square building went up (1 million % out of place) which received planning, whilst a bloke saved a barn, totally transformed it to a fantastic building which complimented the surroundings and was told to take it down. This just proves what a detrimental effect local Government has on architecture and historic cities.

Answer 4

As an architecture student, it is my opinion that architecture has sadly lost its way.

Architecture, true architecture, should be about the needs of the client, the building owner. All too often now however we find that the function of the building runs secondary to the narcissism of the architect. This leads to buildings that fail in their primary function, but shout out their aesthetic credentials (which privately I detest as sh!t), bring fame and fortune to the architect (or starchitects as their known in the industry) and yet are not really all that great. The Bilbao Guggenheim by Frank Gehry is one example.

In answer to your question I feel the answer must be yes and no. Yes in that the Post-Modernist style (I use the word in the loosest possible term) allows outrageous design that appeals to the fame-obsessed culture that pervades our society. No in that in so doing what architecture should be aiming for (ie- to work, to mould the urban landscape, to actually look good) is being missed.

Answer 5

It reflects all of life around it.

So many of our modern architectural structures are made of a reflective material so yes, it reflects back everything around it.

Does it reflect modern society. Of course it does. It reflects our hopes and dreams and ambitions. It reflects our optimistic view of the world around us and it reflects our fluid and mobile life style and our obsession with having plenty. The building doubles what is in the landscape by reflection pandering to our sense of wanting more and more as consumers and gives us the sense that we have a lot more than we really do.

Architecture today reflects who and what we are as people and as a nation.

Answer 6

I am amazed at the passionate response by other readers of this question and further amazed at how many concur with my own views.
Most modern buildings have abandoned local stone in English cities and gone for the glass and steel kitsch which lends itself to geometrical construction otherwise impossible. However, triangles and rectangles of steel and glass are totally inferior to the soft lines of sandstone Victorian buildings and have an impersonal and unwelcoming appearance.
If you take cities such as Edinburgh where local stone is 90% of the city then they automatically have an identity all their own.
The finest buildings in Liverpool are the Victorian sandstone ones and stand out like architectural beacons amidst the 60's rubbish they are surrounded by.
The Imperial War Museum in Manchester both inside and outside is a horrendous monstrosity with no affinity whatsoever to its subject matter.
But the greatest architectural horror of late is that dreadful tent on the Thames built for the Millenium ------ what a lost opportunity and lack of vision epitomising the mediocrity in todays architecture.
I could go on.

Answer 7

I'd say the modern film version of Romeo & Juliet is a good reference point. It covers gang culture, the foolish actions of the young and old, how a best friend may feel when he chooses a girl over him and things like that. I would suggest reading the plays, and watching the films that offer interpretations of the various plays to get ideas. You could reference Macbeth to how modern day corrupt political leaders have been overthrown and possibly offer your own interpretation as to what those political leaders may have felt similarly to Macbeth over the people they killed to achieve their position of power, the insanity and corruption, the isolation etc. Once you have gathered various points and ideas, use these to create your speech. At the beginning briefly state where you gathered your sources of information. Briefly make your first point/opinion, use a Shakespearean reference with a modern comparative, then summarise your point leading into an open question or next point. The final part of your speech should summarise all your points as a whole with a final twist or stating what you have learned. Good luck

Answer 8

The skeletal structures of buildings were laid bare in neo-modern era of architect, signifying a shift in attitude, meaning that it is structure that gives stability that matters and not exterior ornamental enhancements. The buildings of this era are not only exciting to look at but also assuring as an experience. It is nothing new or uncommon in human to induce comfort, security and a sense of belonging from buildings. In the past buildings have been fulfilling these most human needs by reflecting human ideals, moral and even tribal values and social trends. In the modern times, there is a growing discontentment in human mind towards all things past and also towards rigid concept of human physical reality; architect reflects human state of mind better than it reflects a society, which architect has potency to rebel against. We most often see buildings as if they are a satellite state materialised, that they are made to be more inspirational and exciting than they should be for the purposes reflecting their immediate surroundings. Modern buildings, I do not think, necessarily reflect the contemporary societies or the past traditions but they anticipate a future. In this era of rapid change and uncertainty there is a prevailing sense of being left out of time, or left behind as obsolete. As the modern technology develops at an exponential rate, human fascination for the all things futuristic grows. The gaze is set not upon the glorious past, but upon wonderful promising future ahead, the place where the mind seek it security as that is where it belongs.

Answer 9

No, I don't believe it does at all. Much of it sticks out like a sore thumb! There are some lovely modern buildings in and of themselves which may reflect our society but as far as fitting in with landscapes, no, no, no.

Answer 10

It depends what is meant by modern. Where I live small piecemeal blocks of flats have been built to a very traditional design, but not like a chocolate box style as such. So modern, as in today, seems much less flat roofed and angular compared to the 1950's and 1960's. In fact, it is these buildings which are coming down to be replaced by something much more tasteful.

One building I was glad to see go was the Tricorn shopping centre in Portsmouth. It was built in 1966, of grey concrete, but will be replaced by better buildings.

Answer 11

Actually yes modern architecture does reflect modern society more or less to some extent.
Hard to say if it reflects our landscapes.,much of the time.
(there are beautiful exceptions tho!)