Postmodern modernist architecture in Montsouris

Modernist architecture is no longer flavour of the month. Yet it can be interesting at times. As I was walking down the street, not that far from where I live, I stumbled upon the following building and found it rather puzzling. Strictly speaking, it can’t be classified as modern architecture.

Here’s what Riba has to say about that movement.

“Rejecting ornament and embracing minimalism, Modernism became the single most important new style or philosophy of architecture and design of the 20th century. It was associated with an analytical approach to the function of buildings, a strictly rational use of (often new) materials, structural innovation and the elimination of ornament. It was also known as International Modernism or International Style, after an exhibition of modernist architecture in America in 1932 by the architect Philip Johnson” – source

Modernist Architecture With An oval-shaped opening

As there is this interesting oval shaped opening above the stairs, I almost thought, for a while, we had to deal with postmodern architecture. Here’s the definition according to invaluable.com

“Postmodernism’s emergence and proliferation was a direct response to the rise of art movements like modernism, a style that discouraged the use of historical reference in architecture. As modernism grew in popularity, notable structures in major cities underwent extensive renovations. This often resulted in historic buildings being demolished and replaced with stilted versions that held little regard for the artistic characterisations of surrounding buildings” – source

Here’s a famous example of a postmodern building shot in Portland, Oregon

Yet the ornamentation above is rather minimal, hence my decision to label it postmodern modernist architecture. I.e. modern architecture with a small cherry on the cake to make it feel a little less modern, yet modern enough.

Modernist architecture is pretty much indebted to the Bauhaus.

Together, let us desire, conceive, and create the new structure of the future, which will embrace architecture, sculpture, and painting in one unity and which will one day rise towards heaven from the hands of a million workers like the crystal symbol of a new faith.

Walter Gropius, Bauhaus Manifesto, 1919 — National Trust for Historic Preservation

It is striking how Bauhaus was shaped by Gropius and friends as a new religion (“a new faith”). Another believer, so to speak, was the celebrated Franco-Swiss architect Le Corbusier. Many traces of his work can be found in the South of Paris on the International University grounds.  

Below is a selection of shots of Le Corbusier buildings taken there and from other places in Paris (Cité de Refuge, 13th district, and Maison Laroche, a 1924 house in pure modernist architectural mode). 

Modernist and Postmodernist architecture still appears shocking to many. That in itself tells us how innovative the 1910-1930 period was and how much it shaped our present. If I personally dislike the mystical approach to that kind of architecture and some of its most daring projects, I tend to like these buildings very much

What do you think?

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Yann Gourvennec

I'm a photographer and watercolourist. I have practiced photography since childhood and digital photography since 1995. I turned it into my main occupation in 2021. I own a photo studio in Paris, France.
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Je suis photographe et aquarelliste. Je pratique la photographie depuis l'enfance et la photographie numérique depuis 1995. J'en ai fait mon activité principale en 2021. Je possède un studio photo dans le 15e arrondissement de Paris

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