Ornament and tectonics: explorations of expressive construction

Lee, Stephen John ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7029-3601 (2024) Ornament and tectonics: explorations of expressive construction. In: Contemporary Heritage Lexicon. Springer Tracts in Civil Engineering, 2 . Springer, Cham, pp. 153-174. ISBN 9783031612442 (hardcover); 9783031612459 (ebook)

Accepted Version File will be available on: 16 June 2025. Available under License In Copyright. Download (16MB)

Abstract

Construction and tectonic theories have somewhat fallen out of favour in recent decades. This reflects in part an industry and profession grappling with enhancements in sustainable performance through the medium of the multi-layer façade systems. Works on the content of architectural technology in modernism are analytical and reflective, having their origins in a less technically-charged era. Yet architectural practice has necessarily continued to investigate and assimilate new technologies that extend beyond the doctrines of international C20 modernist theory. We argue that our period strongly parallels the C19–20 proto-modernist era of Wagner, Plecnik, Mackintosh, Poelzig. We note how ornament and decoration have seen a revival, yet without a clear codification or classification of emergent styles. Now, we argue, an inclusive, current theory for tectonics in architecture has become necessary and urgent. We present new theoretical reflections on meaningful, expressive construction, identifying trends in contemporary architecture, contextualising them in the continuities of architectural history, and presenting the results of design teaching experimentation.