21st-Century Architectural Styles

This category has the following 4 subcategories

• Blobitecture
• Deconstructivism 
• High-tech architecture 
• Neo-futurism architecture‎ 

Blobitecture

Blobitecture (or Blob Architecture) uses

• curves,
• rounded forms and
• organic movement

to emulate forms found in nature.

Spherical buildings, amoebic buildings and domes generally fall under this category.

Architects derive the forms by manipulating the algorithms of the computer modelling platform. Some other computer aided design functions involved in developing this are the no uniform rational B-spline or NURB, freeform surfaces, and the digitizing of sculpted forms by means akin to computed tomography.

Deconstructivism

Deconstructivism is a movement of postmodern architecture which appeared in the 1980s, which gives the impression of the fragmentation of the constructed building.

It is characterized by an absence of harmony, continuity, or symmetry.

A branch of postmodernism, deconstructivism seeks to remove the rectilinear, segmented and tightly controlled elements of modernism.

Instead, deconstructivism employs chaotic forms, disjointed elements and random angles.

It is heavily influenced by cubism.

High-Tech Architecture

• High-tech architecture, also known as Structural Expressionism, is a type of Late Modern architectural style that emerged in the 1970s, incorporating elements of high-tech industry and technology into building design.
• The most prominent characteristic of Structural Expressionist buildings is their oblique form.
• This style places emphasis on the structure or physical support system of a building.
• Instead of hiding structural features, such as beams and supports, Structural Expressionist architects place them in obvious positions and even add extra structural components.
• This style is sometimes characterized as a form of modernism.
• An example is The John Hancock Center in Chicago by Bruce Graham and Fazlur Khan.

• Neo-Futurism
  • Neo-futurismis a late 20th–early 21st century movement in the arts, design, and architecture.
  • Neo-futuristic urbanists, architects, designers and artists believe in cities releasing emotions, driven by eco-sustainability, ethical values and implementing new materials and new technologies to provide a better quality of life for city-dwellers.
  • Corollary to technology, being the structures built today byproducts of new materials to create previously impossible forms.

Sustainability

• Sustainable architecture seeks to construct or renovate buildings using innovative design, renewable materials and energy- efficient technology and in doing so reduce our dependence on traditional energy sources.
• The key to an environmentally positive future.
• The philosophy behind sustainable architecture is all about reducing waste. This not only means physical waste but minimizing energy loss as well.
• Once a fringe movement, the quest to be environmentally friendly has been embraced by the design profession and with each high-profile move – such as the California Academy of Sciences\’ living roof – rival architects are pushed to follow suit.

Ar.Sundus Hussain

Faculty- IVS School of design