British architect Norman Foster has criticised postmodern architecture for not being serious enough, but believes important examples like Philip Johnson's AT&T Building in New York should still be preserved.
Foster told Dezeen he dislikes the controversial movement. But despite that, he has lent his support to a campaign to prevent Johnson's iconic New York skyscraper ? one of the most prominent examples of postmodern architecture ? from being renovated by Snøhetta.
He said that postmodernism ? which developed in the 1970s as a counter to the utopian ideals of modernism, and involved reinterpreting historic forms ? became too gimmicky for his liking.
Norman Foster told Dezeen he is not a fan of postmodern architecture
"I enjoy authentic, classical architecture," he told Dezeen. "I am less happy with cartoons." "I respect that it was a reaction against certain tendencies, but along the way it became more about a veneer, more about styling and less about the important issues behind architecture, which if you like is the social agenda," Foster said.
Postmodernism continues to divide opinion
Foster is the latest to weigh in on the controversial movement, which has seen a resurgence in attention over the past few years. Recently, architect and former pomo champion Sean Griffiths argued that bringing back postmodernism's ironic ideology could be dangerous in today's political climate.
Foster said that buildings should first of all address the...