Supermodernism

Fascinaties #6

by Jean Nouvel

Almost four years since its initial appearance, Hans Ibelings' essay on the new tendency towards abstract, neutral architecture has lost none of its relevance. His identification and examination of the last word in modern architecture of the post-war International Style stands strong in projects by OMA, Jean Nouvel, Dominique Perrault, Herzog & de Meuron, and Toyo Ito, and is well understood in relation to one of the dominant forces of the present globalization. This enlarged edition of Supermodernism includes a new final chapter in which Ibelings charts the latest examples of supermodernism, as well as a revised introduction and conclusion in which he responds to the numerous reactions his provocative stance has triggered.

Genres: Architecture, Theory

160 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1998

Reviews

[Ruben Steins · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although not poorly written I am not convinced Ibelings succeeds in getting his point across. Identifying an era while still being in it is a futile exercise. Leave it to the future historians I would say. There are a few interesting observations by the author but to proclaim the end of deconstructivism seems premature.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a non building architect I found this helpful in situating modernism / post modernism and what Ibelins dubbed the supermodernism of the 1990s. Reading this in 2023 I found the snapshot of the 90s ethos interesting if not somewhat misguided. Which is easy to critique from the future as it relates to this thinking.

[Mon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slightly one dimensional but otherwise an interesting expansion of Auge's Non-Places.

[Tyler Nguyen · Rating 2 out of 5]

A shallowly argued, difficult to agree with book. Only a good set of photos and references save this from utter uselessness.