| Like Brutalism, Structural
Expressionist buildings reveal their structure on the outside as well as the
inside. More use is made of metal than concrete. The style is
sometimes referred to as "high tech" modernism. It is marked by
unique shapes, with concomitant engineering challenges, and exposed
trusses. Writing in The New York Times in 1994, Herbert
Muschamp asked: "Is structural expressionism still viable? . . .
Seventy years ago the idea served a clear purpose. It resolved the
19th-century dichotomy between architecture and engineering. But for the
post-modern generation, the solution ceased to be of interest once the
issue had been resolved." The examples here seem to suggest that this
style remains viable and of interest.
To view other styles, click on the links above. To see more Structural Expressionism, click on Structural Expressionism 2. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Puerto de Europa I and II
were finished in 1996, and are 26 stories each. They are located in
Madrid. They lean at a 15° angle. The architects, according
to skyscraperpages.com, were Pedro Senteri Cardillo and the firm
Johnson/Burgee. |
30 St. Mary Axe, in London, nicknamed "The Gherkin," resembles a giant pickle, and is an intriguing example of this building style. (Its official name is the Swiss Re Tower). Finished in 2004, it is 41 stories, and made of aluminum, glass, granite and steel. The architect was Norman Foster. Don Barker, writing in Architecture Week, explained the reason for its environmental acclaim: "Its aerodynamic, glazed shape minimizes wind loads and maximizes natural light and ventilation, reducing the building's energy consumption to 50 percent of that of a traditional large office building." It is shown here as it was n 2003, still under construction. |
All text and images copyright (c) 1999-2006 Steven M. Richman. All rights
reserved.