Deconstructivism is a movement in architecture, among other things, which is also reflected in interior design. The shapes of the buildings and objects differ greatly from the typical geometric shapes and figures, which results in an extravagant and sometimes unrealistic look. The movement is relatively modern and undoubtedly attracts everyone's attention. In this article we would like to introduce you to what exactly deconstructivism as a style is all about, who is considered to be responsible for the beginning of the architectural style and some original buildings.
What does deconstructivism mean?
Even if one might assume this at first, “deconstructivist” or “deconstructive” in this case does not mean dismantling or destroying architectural things. Instead, there is a break from the typical construction and design with straight and symmetrical lines. Attention is drawn to the irregularity. Seemingly unstable forms stand firmly on the ground and in this way play with our habits. Harmonious pyramids, cubes and cuboids are replaced by uneven corners and edges, the otherwise strict lines and shapes are replaced by free and playful elements that not only buildings but alsoFurniture for the interiorcan represent. There are no limits to the use of materials and can also be perfectly combined with each other.
And that's exactly what it doesthis styleso interesting and original. In principle, this is how deconstructivism is simply explained. You have probably seen many houses and other buildings in this style and viewed them more as art, which is not at all wrong. Because their unique shapes are reminiscent of artistic sculptures and make the surroundings more remarkable. Now you know exactly what style it was.
Representative of the style
In the field of architecture, the exhibition called “Deconstructivist Architecture” from 1988 is usually seen as the beginning of the movement. It was organized by Philip Johnson, Heiko Herden and Mark Wigley in New York at the “Museum of Modern Art”. This exhibition presented the works of well-known architects such as Zaha Hadid, Frank Gehry, Daniel Libeskind and Bernard Tschumi. In reality, there was already a reference to deconstructive construction in Frank Gehry's house 10 years earlier.
We would like to introduce you to some of the representatives and their most important or best-known buildings below. From the “first” representative Gehry to perhaps the most famous and successful Ms. Hadid, some architects are worth mentioning because of their buildings. You can now take a look at a small selection.
Frank Gehry architecture
Frank Gehry buildings can be found almost everywhere in the world. For example, the Gehry buildings in Düsseldorf, which have become a landmark. There is also the Vitra Design Museum, which consists of a mix of straight and rounded edges and is used for various exhibitions and workshops. The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Spain, which is located on the banks of the Nérvion river, is also well known. Organic shapes characterize this museum, which were created using glass, titanium and limestone. One of the architect's most famous buildings is the Walt Disney Concert Hall, located in Los Angeles. The typical features can also be found here: playful shapes that are reminiscent of a sculpture. The use of stainless steel, which was used for the construction and sometimes shiny and sometimes matt, also contributes to the impressive look. Metals are often used in Gehry's buildings.
Building by Zaha Hadid
Of course, it is also essential to mentionZaha Hadid, probably the best-known representative of deconstructivism and the first woman to win the Pritzker Prize. Her masterpieces include, among others, the fire station in Weil am Rhein, the MAXXI Museum in Rome, the Heydar Aliyev Center, the swimming center in the Olympic Park in London, the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum at the University of Michigan, the Wangjing Soho building in Beijing , and the Riverside Museum in Glasgow. Your typical architectural style creates the impression that your buildings are moving. Concrete in particular is often found as a material in the architect's buildings.
Daniel Libeskind
Also worth mentioning is the American architect Daniel Libeskind, who is of Jewish-Polish origin. Although he originally studied music, he soon became fascinated by architecture and then completed further studies. The result is numerous well-known buildings of the deconstructivist style, including the congress center in Mons, the conversion of the Military History Museum in Dresden, the art museum in Denver, the Jewish Museum in Berlin and his first building, the Felix Nussbaum House, which was dedicated to the Jewish artist It is intended to honor Felix Nussbaum and house his works.
Coop Himmelb(l)au
The buildings by Coop Himmelb(l)au are no less impressive. This is a very well-known architectural firm that has existed since 1968 and has also contributed to the development of the style and is one of the most important representatives. Well-known buildings are the Ufa Palace in Dresden, the Gasometer in Vienna, BMW Welt in Munich, the Musée des Confluences in Lyon, the Martin Luther Church in Hainburg and the so-called Flame Wing of the Technical University in Graz. The company operates all over the world and represents the current perfectly.
Bernard Tschumi
This architect also has a number of interesting buildings that represent deconstructivism. These include the Acropolis Museum in Athens, the MuséoParc Alésia, the Blue Tower in New York, the Zénith Concert Hall in Rouen and Le Fresnoy in Tourcoing. Abstract andorganic shapesare used more discreetly in his buildings, but this does not change their uniqueness.
