Book Chapter
Construction and tectonic theories have somewhat fallen out of favour in recent decades. This reflects in part an industry and profession grappling with enhancements in sustainable performance through the medium of the multi-layer façade systems. Works on the content of architectural technology in modernism (Hartoonian 1994, Frampton 2001) are analytical and reflective, having their origins in a less technically-charged era. Yet architectural practice has necessarily continued to investigate and assimilate new technologies that extend beyond the doctrines of international C20 modernist theory. We argue that our period strongly parallels the C19-20 proto-modernist era (Wagner, Plecnik, Mackintosh, Poelzig). We note how ornament and decoration have seen a revival, yet without a clear codification or classification of emergent styles. Now, we argue, an inclusive, current theory for the tectonics in architecture has become necessary and urgent. We present new theoretical reflections on meaningful, expressive construction, identifying trends in contemporary architecture, and contextualising them in the continuities of architectural history.
Book chapter published in Contemporary Heritage Lexicon, Volume 2, edited by Cristiana Bartolomei, Alfonso Ippolito and Simone Helena Tanoue Vizioli
