Shop Viral Snacks Now
Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows.
Buy new:
$49.95
FREE delivery Friday, March 6
Ships from: Amazon.com
Sold by: Amazon.com
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

  • Postmodern Architecture: Less is a Bore

Follow the author

Get new release updates & improved recommendations
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Postmodern Architecture: Less is a Bore Hardcover – Illustrated, February 26, 2020


{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$49.95","priceAmount":49.95,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"49","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"95","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"v0Znt75r4FqWWVF%2FvNxLUxbMxHQUlxVRdlAoSSccNnMDJlkUx8RmY6EjhqImdT6yAUbm%2F%2B5nuhl9jC8O4jpB9zexEWHYNPFUESm5rA4909n%2BjJw7fPG6Iul72El0Om8inHkuSixCX8FoFSu%2FQpUBDg%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$37.53","priceAmount":37.53,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"37","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"53","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"v0Znt75r4FqWWVF%2FvNxLUxbMxHQUlxVRvDhdSbkiWz01zGL09movYyy8YBhaFue7gkQ7kTx2uKRVG%2B2hKB8fC9GqzphL2YvZVKqYbHnIu8hpv6XYp8B2ChPhU%2Bq1CL7dt72bDulIO5anM5vtUEnpWOXC0wuJbn2liCXobdMH4Ayc5taw%2F%2B0Hlg%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

A curated collection of Postmodern architecture in all its glorious array of vivid non-conformity

This unprecedented book takes its subtitle from Postmodernist icon Robert Venturi's spirited response to Mies van der Rohe's dictum that ‘less is more'. One of the 20th century's most controversial styles, Postmodernism began in the 1970s, reached a fever pitch of eclectic non-conformity in the 1980s and 90s, and after nearly 40 years is now enjoying a newfound popularity. Postmodern Architecture showcases examples of the movement in a rainbow of hues and forms from around the globe.

The%20Amazon%20Book%20Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Customers also bought or read

Loading...

From the Publisher

Postmodern Architecture

Postmodern Architecture

Postmodern Architecture

Postmodern Architecture

Postmodern Architecture

Postmodern Architecture

Postmodern Architecture

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The book features some gleefully nonconformist postmodern architecture from around the globe."―Design Anthology

"Architecture fans are in for a treat."―Hypebeast

"[The book's] message of adaptability seems increasingly relevant to our ever-changing world."―Aesthetica magazine

"A celebration... The brasher the better... Postmodernist architecture has always been defined by playfulness... Today's architects have absorbed many of its lessons."―The Observer, The New Review

"[Postmodern Architecture: Less is a Bore] reveals the diversity of postmodern architecture from around the world."―Dezeen

"PoMo was declared flippant and frivolous, it broke all the architectural 'rules' in its reckless embrace of colour and decoration. And as for the dumpster-diving through archaic historicist features, the less said the better. Yet many ignored the critics and persisted with this seemingly perverse path. Postmodern Architecture: Less is a Bore shows us why we should be grateful that they did."―Wallpaper*

"Phaidon's latest coffee table book delves into some of the world's most creative and out-there postmodern buildings, and the photos are a visual feast."―Livingetc online

"Owen Hopkins' new book Postmodern Architecture: Less is a Bore reminds us that modern building techniques mean all [forms of building] are now possible."―The Herald

"Less is a Bore highlights some of the world's most avant-garde buildings, where architects' imaginations have gone wild. These buildings are bursting with colour, shapes and eclectic design, adding a sense of fun and humour to what may have been humdrum."―The Telegraph

"Expands the purview of postmodernism."―Icon magazine

"While Postmodern Architecture is mainly comprised of whimsical façades, the riotous interiors are just as dazzling."―Galerie

"[Postmodern architecture] puts a smile on your face."―The Evening Standard

"The best of wacky post-modern architecture... Stunning new book explores postmodernism architecture, one of the 20th century's most controversial styles."―The Daily Mail

"A rallying cry against boring architecture."―Mr Porter

"This book celebrates the playful absurdity of postmodern architecture."―Elephant magazine

"Postmodernism is the concoction of colour, life and soul. In the beautiful coffee table publication; Less Is A Bore by Owen Hopkins you can discover hundreds of incredible postmodern buildings."―Cent. magazine

"A visual treat."―World Architecture Festival

"From a cat-shaped kindergarten to a robot-like skyscraper, these postmodern buildings have a hearty sense of humor. Postmodern Architecture wields color, ornament, and form in disarming, delightful ways."―Dwell Online

"Expect to see slap-in-the-face design flourishes."―Grand Designs Magazine

"Unprecedented... Postmodern Architecture showcases examples of the movement in a rainbow of hues and forms from around the globe."―Archidose

"A new book argues that postmodernism... is on its way back."―Bloomberg Online

"The completely wonderful new coffee table book shows the style is full of some of the most joyous, exuberant, outlandish, and fun works on the planet. Flipping through, it's impossible not to be mesmerized."―The Daily Beast

"With tongue-firmly-in-cheek, this fun picture book from Phaidon, Postmodern Architecture: Less is a Bore, features more than 200 postmodern buildings around the world."―HGTV Online

"Postmodern Architecture: Less is a Bore is a delightful distraction during troubled times. This is a photo-driven architectural survey that's hefty in size, exhaustive in scope, and, most important, a lot of fun."―The Architect's Newspaper Online

About the Author

London-based Owen Hopkins is the Senior Curator of Exhibitions and Education at Sir John Soane's Museum where he curated ‘The Return of the Past: Postmodernism in British Architecture' in 2018. He was also the editor of Conversations on Postmodernism, a book of interviews with eight figures associated with the movement. Hopkins has written widely on architecture for publications including the Independent, Dezeen, Icon, The Architectural Review, and The Architects' Journal.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Phaidon Press
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 26, 2020
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ Illustrated
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 071487812X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0714878126
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.6 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10.25 x 1.13 x 11.8 inches
  • Best Sellers Rank: #507,214 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • Customer Reviews:

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Owen Hopkins
Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Owen Hopkins is an architectural writer, historian and curator. He is Director of the Farrell Centre at Newcastle University. Previously he was Senior Curator at Sir John Soane’s Museum and before that Architecture Programme Curator at the Royal Academy of Arts. He has curated numerous exhibitions, and is the author or editor of a number of books. He is a frequent commentator on architecture in the press and has appeared on national TV and radio.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
40 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2020
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    This book is filled with delightful architecture and wonderful quotes. Great, colorful photos of fanciful structures and no text except for the quotes. I always look go for the pictures anyway and the lack of voluminous text is perfect! I have many art and architecture books, and this one is now my favorite.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2020
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    This book was definitely used. The pages laid flat with now effort. It was evident that the book was opened previously. There was residue of something that was spilled on the cover which I was able to remove with a damp cloth.
    One person found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Mrs. A. MULLINS
    5.0 out of 5 stars A coffee table book
    Reviewed in Germany on September 12, 2025
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    It is a coffee table book to browse the pages of the postmodern Architecture. Also it gives you the ideas to think of your own project.