Page 498 - (DK) The Ultimate Visual Dictionary 2nd Ed.

ARCHITECTURE

Modern buildings 1 KAWANA HOUSE, JAPAN,
FROM 1987 (BY N. FOSTER)

ARCHITECTURE SINCE ABOUT THE 1950s is generally known Solar panel
as modern architecture. One of its main influences has
Concrete frame
been functionalism—a belief that a building’s function
should be apparent in its design. Both the Centre Georges
Pompidou (below and opposite) and the Hong Kong and Pile
foundation
Shanghai Bank (see pp. 498-499) are functionalist buildings: Raft Composite cladding panel
on each, elements of engineering and the building’s services
SIDE VIEW
are clearly visible on the outside. In the 1980s, some architects
Rocker
rejected functionalism in favor of post-modernism, in beam
which historical styles—particularly neoclassicism—were
revived, using modern building materials and techniques. Curtain
walling
In many modern buildings, walls are made of glass or
concrete hung from a frame, as in the Kawana House (right); Lattice beam
Floor-beam connection Floor
this type of wall construction is known as curtain walling.
Other modern construction techniques include the intricate FRONT VIEW
interlocking of concrete vaults—as in the Sydney Opera House
(see pp. 498-499)—and the use of high-tension beams to
create complex roof shapes, such as the paraboloid roof of Metal-faced, Air-conditioning Cooling tower
the Church of St. Pierre de Libreville (see pp. 498-499). fire-resistant duct
panel
SERVICES FACADE, CENTRE GEORGES POMPIDOU, Water
PARIS, FRANCE, 1977 (BY R. PIANO AND R. ROGERS) pipe

Grand
gallery level

Main gallery
levels

Library level

Administrative
level

Mezzanine
gallery level
Reception level

Staircase to Electrical plant Water-cooled, fire- Continuous Services
grand hall resistant column glazing Tinted glass entrance

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