On the Rise: Architecture and Design in a Postmodern Age

On the Rise examines architectural and design trends during the pivotal postmodern period from the late 1970s through the 1980s. The book compiles expanded versions of Paul Goldberger's architecture criticism originally published in The New York Times. Goldberger analyzes major architectural works and developments across the United States during this transformative era, with a focus on New York City's evolving skyline. The text covers significant buildings, urban planning decisions, preservation battles, and the architects who shaped the built environment of the period. Through case studies and critical essays, the author traces how postmodernism challenged modernist orthodoxy and brought new approaches to architectural form, ornament, and historical reference. This collection provides context for understanding the intersection of architecture with broader cultural and economic forces of the time. The book serves as both a chronicle of a specific moment in architectural history and a meditation on how buildings reflect and shape societal values. Its observations about the relationship between commerce, culture, and the urban landscape remain relevant to contemporary discussions about architecture and cities.

Readers view this 1985 architectural criticism collection as well-researched but occasionally dated. The book compiles Goldberger's New York Times pieces examining postmodern architecture's emergence. Readers appreciate: - Clear explanations of complex architectural concepts - The historical context provided for major buildings - The behind-the-scenes accounts of architectural projects - The book's value as a time capsule of 1980s architectural discourse Common criticisms: - The writing can be dense and academic - Some building assessments haven't aged well - Limited global perspective, focuses heavily on New York - Black and white photos don't fully capture the buildings Average ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (14 ratings) Amazon: 4.0/5 (6 ratings) One architecture student noted: "Goldberger captures the excitement and uncertainty of postmodernism's rise, though his enthusiasm for some buildings now seems misplaced." A practicing architect wrote: "The essays work better as individual pieces than a cohesive narrative about postmodernism."

From Bauhaus to Our House by Tom Wolfe A social and architectural history that examines Modernist architecture's influence on American buildings and culture through the 20th century.

Privacy and Publicity: Modern Architecture as Mass Media by Beatriz Colomina An exploration of how modern architecture developed alongside mass media and advertising, focusing on Le Corbusier's work and public image.

The Language of Post-Modern Architecture by Charles Jencks A historical analysis of postmodern architectural movements that defines the shift from modernism through specific buildings and their cultural context.

Architecture's Historical Turn by Jorge Otero-Pailos A study of phenomenology's impact on architectural theory and how postmodern architects integrated historical elements into their work.

The Architecture of Community by Leon Krier An examination of traditional urban planning principles and their relevance to contemporary architectural design and city development.

🏛️ Paul Goldberger served as the architecture critic for The New York Times from 1973 to 1991, winning a Pulitzer Prize for Distinguished Criticism in 1984. 🏢 The book was published in 1983 during a pivotal moment when postmodernism was challenging the dominance of modernist architecture, particularly through architects like Michael Graves and Philip Johnson. 🎨 The title "On the Rise" plays on multiple meanings - both the literal vertical growth of cities and the metaphorical ascendance of new architectural philosophies in the 1980s. 🏗️ The book's publication coincided with several landmark postmodern buildings, including Philip Johnson's AT&T Building (now 550 Madison Avenue), which featured its iconic "Chippendale" top. 📚 While focused on architecture, the book explores how postmodernism influenced multiple design fields, from furniture to graphic design, marking a broader cultural shift away from modernist minimalism.