{"id":9163,"date":"2026-04-02T06:00:04","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T04:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antimuseum.com\/?p=9163"},"modified":"2026-04-16T08:17:15","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T06:17:15","slug":"modernist-architecture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antimuseum.com\/en\/2026\/04\/02\/modernist-architecture\/","title":{"rendered":"Postmodern modernist architecture in Montsouris"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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postmodern architecture in Montsouris<\/a>, Paris 14th district.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Here’s what Riba has to say about that movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“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<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Modernist Architecture With An oval-shaped opening<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Postmodernism\u2019s 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proliferation was a direct response to the rise of art movements like modernism, a style that discouraged the use of historical reference in architecture.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<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s a famous example of a postmodern building shot in Portland, Oregon<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Portland building<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Modernist architecture is pretty much indebted to the Bauhaus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walter Gropius, Bauhaus Manifesto<\/em>, 1919 \u2014 National Trust for Historic Preservation<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a> grounds. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below is a selection of shots of Le Corbusier buildings taken there and from other places in Paris (Cit\u00e9 de Refuge, 13th district, and Maison Laroche, a 1924 house in pure modernist architectural mode).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n