Lecture 4 : OLD Architecture vs NEW Architecture

Nowaday, OLD Architecture and NEW Architecture is a very common question that everyone will debate about that. For my understanding, it's just like Modernism (Old Architecture) vs Post-Modernism (New Architecture) of architecture. The different between Old Architecture and New Architecture is quite a precarious subject especially when looking at the terminologies, one tend to assume that there is not a lot of different between them.

However, the truth of Old Architecture and New Architecture is their styles of architecture have striking similarities, but have significant variance as well. In my opinion, the diffrentiate between the Old Architecture and New Architecture is their style to express the architecture to public.

Old Architecture (Modernism)

The style of Old Architecture was brought about by artisans' hunger to have a style that deviates from the European and Victorian modes of architecture where opulent and extravagant appearances are common.

However, its adopted the ideals of "form followed function" and pratices sincerity to materials being used in construction. One of the modernism's principle is to have the design be a direct result of a building's intend purpose, and that material ought not to be hidden but instead, highlighted as part of the overall look of the structure.

New Architecture ( Post-Modernism)

New Architecture shares the same principles as Old Architecture but the different is the style of New Architecture uses a lot of cyclindrical forms and even playful and whimsical sihouettes instead of straight line and regular geometric shapes.

New Architecture was realized during the last parts of the sixties. However, it was only during the eighties that it was able to establish a sold anchir and gained fame.

Part of the inspiration of the New Architecture style came from Roman and Greek influences which are clearly seen in building design where column are brought back to existence.

The common principle of OLD and NEW

Old and New are both style of architecture that as termedous respect on materials. Each style is geared to use minimal materials during construction and elects to not hide from the view. Doing the exact opposite, both style are known to actually highlight the materials used in a building like steel, glass and concrete. However, both of the style use lot of natural light to illuminate building. While Old Architecture are use more squared, rectangles and triangle but New Architecture are use more on cylinders and other secondary geometric shape.

The Distinctive in OLD and NEW

Based on my understanding of how each style have very distinct traits, one can easily distinguish the clear difference between the two by simple looking at the structure. It is easy to discern that a building is ‘modern-inspired’ when it uses solely straight lines and rectangular shapes, in contrast to new architecture style’s way of utilizing curves and other fanciful shapes. In terms of the trimmings and nuances, a structure is clearly modernist if it uses an elevated simplicity. Postmodernism on the other hand, is known for its usage of more ornate styles that can be explained by it being influenced by the art-deco era.

The Different from Each Architectural Approach

The OLD Archtecture

Frank Lloyd Wright has helped reshape the world of architecture with many of his remarkable works. Famours of his principle of "organic architecture" designed structures that will be in perfect harmony with the environment it will be build on and with humanity in general. One of the remarkable structure produces by the mind of Frank are the Falling Water. His Falling Water designed was totaly engage with the nature, least ornamentation and fully used of the nature.

The NEW Architecture

Philip Johnson known for his postmodern attack on architecture. One of his greates legacy in the world of architecture is his style of using glass as part of his design which is very evident in his "Glass House". Some of the striking building that the world of architecture will remember him for are the Crystal Cathedral.

In my point of view, I prefer Old Architecture. It was because like any city if it has enough budget could make it like Dubai but the Old Architecture just can't duplicate in an authentic way. It has a dignity that New Architecture just can't touch. However, New Architecture are very commercial, in the meantime it might look great but in more than twenty years, it will look normal, most of them don't even fit with the present urban environment.