Title Neue Staatsgalerie, Stuttgart, Germany James Stirling Introduction Main Aim of Essay To find out how close Neue Staatsgalerie comes in terms of the postmodern qualities described in “ Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture” by Robert Venturi Structure of Essay Introduction – The problems of modern architecture – Too reductive – Oversimplistic Body – The qualities of postmodern architecture – Double-coding – Not selective on problems to solve – Not about picturesqueness – Eclectic
Conclusion – A comparison between postmodern and modern architecture, which is more appropriate in current setting Body of Content Architectural Philosophy 1. Modern architecture is too reductive – solutions were pure, but boring (do not tally with modern science, poetry or art – recognize complexity and contradiction) – highly selective on which problems to solve – though avoiding ambiguity, might be oversimplistic – only characterizing from the standpoint of a given interest, not as a whole prefer newness of modern function over its complexity – practicality over aesthetics – exclusion for expressive purposes – why simple? – propaganda (as an instrument to reform from classical style) 2. Post-modern architecture – more than just a single layer of meaning – eg. A wall is not just a wall – Venturi embraces the load-bearing wall as phenomenologically and tectonically rich and significant – “ both/ and”, “ double-functioning elements”, “ more is not less”, “ the difficult unity of inclusion” communication at numerous levels – could have aesthetic simplicity, but with inner complexity – achieving apparent simplicity through real complexity – renewed consciousness of history – eclectic, image-oriented appropriation of history 3. Complexity is not merely about picturesqueness – must correspond to form and function – it is not just about looks, it is about the experience and programme in the architecture, not based on the designer’s personal will and desire Translation of Theory into Design 1. Use of double-coding use of conventional elements (Egyptian cornice, segmental arches) with modern materials (reinforced concrete) – de Stijl forms and colours (Modern language) collaged onto traditional background – Modernism confronting Classicism 2. Stirling doesn’t choose problems to solve – doesn’t deny the past (conventional beauty) or present (technical reality) – unwilling to oversimplify the situation 3. Venting of parking garage – knocked out some stones which sit, like ruins, revealing the real steel construction on the inside