Chicago's Harold Washington Library Center discussed as an exemplar of postmodern architecture

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The purpose of the countermovement is to oppose the original movement and change the status quo. Perhaps the most vocally represented countermovement in architecture is postmodernism. Postmodernism sought to supplant the strict architectural canons of modernism with diverse aesthetics and alternative meanings. Postmodern architects replaced modernist's minimal form with exaggerated ornamentation, formalism with wit, and concepts of universality with multiple meanings and references. The Harold Washington Library Center, designed by Hammond, Beeby, and Babka, is a uniquely postmodern homage to Chicago. As a postmodern structure the building references the past, making it seem somehow familiar, while also blending in well with its 19th-century neighbors. The design pulls elements from Chicago landmarks-- the rusticated walls of the Rookery; the swirling terracotta design of the Marquette Building; the thick, sloping base of the Monadnock Building; the stepped-back, arched windows of the Auditorium Building; and the triangular pediment of the Art Institute of Chicago. These references firmly root the Library in its landscape and provide the illusion that the building is much older than it is. Lead architect for the Library, Thomas Beeby, is one of the first generation of architects who split with modernism in the 1970s. Dubbed the Chicago Seven, for its original seven members, these architects adopted form for its own sake, often combining styles in entirely new ways. Their buildings questioned established ideas of architecture, revived an awareness of traditions that were long abandoned by modernism, and encouraged the creation of new, remixed ideas. With the help of postmodernism and the ideas of the Chicago Seven, architecture was freed from the straitjacket of modernism and evolved into a wide-ranging set of movements that exist today.", "width" : 1920, "height" : 1080, "url": "https://www.britannica.com/video/Thomas-H-Beeby-past-design-Chicago-city/-223054" } </script> </head> <body data-leg="D" class="standalone-video-page user-ANONYMOUS user-ads md-desktop leg-d b-ie">  <script>Mendel.config.adProvider='cafemedia';</script> <script data-no-optimize="1" data-cfasync="false"> (function(w, d) { w.adthrive = w.adthrive || {}; w.adthrive.cmd = w. adthrive.cmd || []; w.adthrive.plugin = 'adthrive-ads-manual'; w.adthrive.host = 'ads.adthrive.com';var s = d.createElement('script'); s.async = true; s.referrerpolicy='no-referrer-when-downgrade'; s.src = 'https://' + w.adthrive.host + '/sites/61575e5c934c481d714b3ca9/ads.min.js?referrer=' + w.encodeURIComponent(w.location.href) + '&cb=' + (Math.floor(Math.random() * 100) + 1); var n = d.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; n.parentNode.insertBefore(s, n); })(window, document); </script> <div class="ie-warning d-flex align-items-center align-self-center justify-content-center site-alert bg-orange"> <div> You are using an <strong>outdated</strong> browser. 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Chicago's Harold Washington Library Center is a perfect example of postmodern architecture" class="rounded super-video-thumbnail" /> <div class="btn btn-xl border border-white btn-circle position-absolute shadow" style="border-width: 4px; top: 50%; left:50%; transform: translate(-50%,-50%)"> <em class="material-icons text-white" data-icon="play_arrow"></em> </div> </div> <div class="vpwpl-video-title mt-10 font-weight-bold mb-10"> Discover why some think Chicago's Harold Washington Library Center is a perfect example of postmodern architecture </div> <div class="vpwpl-video-caption mt-15 d-none d-md-block mb-10"> Learn about Chicago's Harold Washington Library Center (1991) as an exemplar of postmodern architecture. </div> <div class="vpwpl-credit mb-20 font-13 text-gray-600 font-italic "> 漏 Chicago Architecture Foundation (<a class="external" target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="http://corporate.britannica.com/partners" data-show-preview="true">A Britannica Publishing Partner</a>) </div> </div> <ul class=" col-100 vpwpl-playlist-below vpwpl-playlist mt-15 mt-md-0"> <li class="vpwpl-video-item-1 vpwpl-video-item video-playing" data-assemblyid="223054"> <script type="application/json">{"image":"https://cdn.britannica.com/19/187619-138-BB5FC246/Thomas-H-Beeby-past-design-Chicago-city.jpg","sources":[{"file":"//content.jwplatform.com/manifests/QMd2fA54.m3u8"}],"assetId":187619,"adfile":"//content.jwplatform.com/manifests/QK5JGcG8.m3u8","title":"Discover why some think Chicago's Harold Washington Library Center is a perfect example of postmodern architecture","tracks":[{"file":"//assets-jpcust.jwpsrv.com/tracks/4SQLYu1P","label":"English"}],"transcriptUrl":"/video/Thomas-H-Beeby-past-design-Chicago-city/-223054#transcript"}</script> <script data-id="video-credit" type="text/plain">漏 Chicago Architecture Foundation (<a class="external" target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="http://corporate.britannica.com/partners" data-show-preview="true">A Britannica Publishing Partner</a>)</script> <script data-id="video-caption" type="text/plain">Learn about Chicago's Harold Washington Library Center (1991) as an exemplar of postmodern architecture.</script> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal " > <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="https://www.britannica.com/video/Thomas-H-Beeby-past-design-Chicago-city/-223054" >Discover why some think Chicago's Harold Washington Library Center is a perfect example of postmodern architecture</a> </div> <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="https://www.britannica.com/video/Thomas-H-Beeby-past-design-Chicago-city/-223054"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/19/187619-138-BB5FC246/Thomas-H-Beeby-past-design-Chicago-city.jpg?w=100&h=75&c=crop" alt="Discover why some think Chicago's Harold Washington Library Center is a perfect example of postmodern architecture" width="100" height="75" /> <div class="btn btn-sm border border-white btn-circle position-absolute shadow" style="border-width: 3px; top: 50%; left:50%; transform: translate(-50%,-50%)"> <em class="material-icons text-white" data-icon="play_arrow"></em> </div> </a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="vpwpl-video-item-2 vpwpl-video-item " data-assemblyid="191905"> <script type="application/json">{"image":"https://cdn.britannica.com/42/179842-138-E6D272C1/Overview-Speyer-Cathedral-Germany.jpg","sources":[{"file":"//content.jwplatform.com/manifests/NaVtXD3H.m3u8"}],"assetId":179842,"adfile":"//content.jwplatform.com/manifests/OdlpgEeA.m3u8","title":"Speyer Cathedral: A monument to imperial power","tracks":[{"file":"//assets-jpcust.jwpsrv.com/tracks/QFbv8rHP","label":"English"}],"transcriptUrl":"/video/Overview-Speyer-Cathedral-Germany/-191905#transcript"}</script> <script data-id="video-credit" type="text/plain">Contunico 漏 ZDF Studios GmbH, Mainz; Thumbnail 漏 Westend61/Getty Images</script> <script data-id="video-caption" type="text/plain">Learn about Speyer Cathedral in Germany.</script> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal " > <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="https://www.britannica.com/video/Overview-Speyer-Cathedral-Germany/-191905" >Speyer Cathedral: A monument to imperial power</a> </div> <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="https://www.britannica.com/video/Overview-Speyer-Cathedral-Germany/-191905"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/42/179842-138-E6D272C1/Overview-Speyer-Cathedral-Germany.jpg?w=100&h=75&c=crop" alt="Speyer Cathedral: A monument to imperial power" width="100" height="75" /> <div class="btn btn-sm border border-white btn-circle position-absolute shadow" style="border-width: 3px; top: 50%; left:50%; transform: translate(-50%,-50%)"> <em 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type="application/json">{"image":"https://cdn.britannica.com/44/179844-138-478F9B2A/St-Martins-Cathedral-Mainz-Germany.jpg","sources":[{"file":"//content.jwplatform.com/manifests/q5dRwQ9O.m3u8"}],"assetId":179844,"adfile":"//content.jwplatform.com/manifests/Ro7QOmtw.m3u8","title":"What is the historical importance of Mainz Cathedral?","tracks":[{"file":"//assets-jpcust.jwpsrv.com/tracks/duDYfCdG","label":"English"}],"transcriptUrl":"/video/St-Martins-Cathedral-Mainz-Germany/-191907#transcript"}</script> <script data-id="video-credit" type="text/plain">Contunico 漏 ZDF Studios GmbH, Mainz; Thumbnail 漏 Saiko3p/Dreamstime.com</script> <script data-id="video-caption" type="text/plain">The architecture, history, and significance of St. Martin's Cathedral (also called Mainz Cathedral), Mainz, Germany.</script> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal " > <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" 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type="application/json">{"image":"https://cdn.britannica.com/21/187621-138-BF1D4059/Skidmore-demand-Owings-Merrill-Inland-Steel-Building.jpg","sources":[{"file":"//content.jwplatform.com/manifests/BXpTuDyB.m3u8"}],"assetId":187621,"adfile":"//content.jwplatform.com/manifests/zul3WvMn.m3u8","title":"How did postwar trends influence office design in Chicago's Inland Steel Building?","tracks":[{"file":"//assets-jpcust.jwpsrv.com/tracks/ho8MTt5N","label":"English"}],"transcriptUrl":"/video/Skidmore-demand-Owings-Merrill-Inland-Steel-Building/-223368#transcript"}</script> <script data-id="video-credit" type="text/plain">漏 Chicago Architecture Foundation (<a class="external" target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="http://corporate.britannica.com/partners" data-show-preview="true">A Britannica Publishing Partner</a>)</script> <script data-id="video-caption" type="text/plain">Learn how Skidmore, Owings & Merrill designed Chicago's Inland Steel Building (1958) to meet a demand for openness and 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3px; top: 50%; left:50%; transform: translate(-50%,-50%)"> <em class="material-icons text-white" data-icon="play_arrow"></em> </div> </a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="vpwpl-video-item-7 vpwpl-video-item " data-assemblyid="228953"> <script type="application/json">{"image":"https://cdn.britannica.com/90/196490-138-63E668EF/Basilica-Cistern-emperor-water-Byzantine-Justinian-Constantinople-532-ce.jpg","sources":[{"file":"//content.jwplatform.com/manifests/1X2C8Yqs.m3u8"}],"assetId":196490,"adfile":"//content.jwplatform.com/manifests/U1lGoiU3.m3u8","title":"How the Basilica Cistern protected Constantinople from drought","tracks":[{"file":"//assets-jpcust.jwpsrv.com/tracks/5qXcfFdk","label":"English"}],"transcriptUrl":"/video/Basilica-Cistern-emperor-water-Byzantine-Justinian-Constantinople-532-ce/-228953#transcript"}</script> <script data-id="video-credit" type="text/plain">Encyclop忙dia Britannica, Inc.</script> <script data-id="video-caption" type="text/plain">Learn about the Basilica Cistern that was built by the Byzantine emperor Justinian in 532 <span class="text-smallcaps">ce</span> to store fresh water for Constantinople (now Istanbul).</script> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal " > <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="https://www.britannica.com/video/Basilica-Cistern-emperor-water-Byzantine-Justinian-Constantinople-532-ce/-228953" >How the Basilica Cistern protected Constantinople from drought</a> </div> <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="https://www.britannica.com/video/Basilica-Cistern-emperor-water-Byzantine-Justinian-Constantinople-532-ce/-228953"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/90/196490-138-63E668EF/Basilica-Cistern-emperor-water-Byzantine-Justinian-Constantinople-532-ce.jpg?w=100&h=75&c=crop" alt="How the Basilica Cistern protected Constantinople from drought" 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office","tracks":[{"file":"//assets-jpcust.jwpsrv.com/tracks/VxJHhtrw","label":"English"}],"transcriptUrl":"/video/construction-methods-amenities-Chicago-Monadnock-Building-office/-223371#transcript"}</script> <script data-id="video-credit" type="text/plain">漏 Chicago Architecture Foundation (<a class="external" target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="http://corporate.britannica.com/partners" data-show-preview="true">A Britannica Publishing Partner</a>)</script> <script data-id="video-caption" type="text/plain">Learn how cutting-edge construction methods and amenities helped make Chicago's Monadnock Building (first half, 1891; second half, 1893) a prototype for the modern office high-rise.</script> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal " > <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="https://www.britannica.com/video/construction-methods-amenities-Chicago-Monadnock-Building-office/-223371" >Discover 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architectural movement there is a countermovement. The purpose of the countermovement is to oppose the original movement and change the status quo. Perhaps the most vocally represented countermovement in architecture is postmodernism. Postmodernism sought to supplant the strict architectural canons of modernism with diverse aesthetics and alternative meanings. Postmodern architects replaced modernist's minimal form with exaggerated ornamentation, formalism with wit, and concepts of universality with multiple meanings and references. <br/><br/>The Harold Washington Library Center, designed by Hammond, Beeby, and Babka, is a uniquely postmodern homage to Chicago. As a postmodern structure the building references the past, making it seem somehow familiar, while also blending in well with its 19th-century neighbors. The design pulls elements from Chicago landmarks-- the rusticated walls of the Rookery; the swirling terracotta design of the Marquette Building; the thick, sloping base of the Monadnock Building; the stepped-back, arched windows of the Auditorium Building; and the triangular pediment of the Art Institute of Chicago. These references firmly root the Library in its landscape and provide the illusion that the building is much older than it is. <br/><br/>Lead architect for the Library, Thomas Beeby, is one of the first generation of architects who split with modernism in the 1970s. Dubbed the Chicago Seven, for its original seven members, these architects adopted form for its own sake, often combining styles in entirely new ways. Their buildings questioned established ideas of architecture, revived an awareness of traditions that were long abandoned by modernism, and encouraged the creation of new, remixed ideas. <br/><br/>With the help of postmodernism and the ideas of the Chicago Seven, architecture was freed from the straitjacket of modernism and evolved into a wide-ranging set of movements that exist today.</div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </main> <div id="md-footer"></div> <footer class="md-footer footer-wrapper hide-on-edit"> <div class="footer-bck"> <DIV class="marketing-FOOTER_NEWSLETTER marketing-content" data-marketing-id="FOOTER_NEWSLETTER"><div class="md-footer-newsletter-form pt-10 mb-30 mx-15 mx-sm-120"> <div class="font-18"> <strong>History at your fingertips –</strong> Sign up here to see what happened On This Day, every day in your inbox! </div> <div class="p-30"> <div class="newsletter-form-container"> <form class="newsletter-form" method="post" action="/newsletter-subscription/EB_ON_THIS_DAY"> <div class="form-group grid d-flex justify-content-center"> <div class="col-sm-50 col-100"> <label class="sr-only" for="enter-your-email">Enter your email</label> <input id="enter-your-email" type="email" name="email" class="form-control font-18 p-10" placeholder="Enter your email" pattern="[a-z0-9._%+-]+@[a-z0-9.-]+\.[a-z]{2,4}$" required> </div> <div class="col-sm-auto col-100 mt-5 mt-sm-0"> <button type="submit" class="btn btn-outline-white" style="width: 100%; height:100%;">Subscribe</button> </div> </div> <div class="text-white pt-30 text-opacity"> By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica.<br> Click here to view our <a class="link-white text-decoration-underline" href="https://corporate.britannica.com/privacy-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Privacy Notice</a>. 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Chicago's Harold Washington Library Center discussed as an exemplar of postmodern architecture | Britannica