The Age of Icons?

Charles Jencks, the author of The Language of Post-Modernism, furthers his view on the trend of contemporary architecture (or starchitecture) in Iconic Building (2005). The key idea seems to be about architecture as “multiply coded enigmatic sign” if it is to be iconic. He goes on to point out the problem of icon making in architecture. If every building is a landmark, then there is no landmark, blar blar blar… I think architecture is almost always “multiply coded sign” in some ways (whether it is enigmatic depends on who you talk to). Landmark is hardly accomplished solely by architects’ personal intent, but a collective sentiment towards certain structure over time. Yes, Bilbao is an instant landmark but I don’t think Gehry has had too much control over it. The problem is not in landmark itself but when powerful clients (and architects) are trying too hard to create a landmark for landmark’s sake. I prefer the accidental iconic buildings better. Buildings that were first hated and later loved, like a Hollywood underdog happy ending. Pei’s glass pyramid, Pompidou, not to mention, the WTC Twin Towers…

Archinect’s Interview

Debate with Eisenman

Book Review by Michiel van Raaij