Contemporary architecture is the term this blog uses for architecture built after 2000. It is generally a continuation of neo-futurist and high-tech architecture. Classical Revival and Postmodern architecture are also contemporary movements, but each are their own unique style and I treat them as such. As part of an increasingly globalist world, some architecture of the current era begins to blend together contextually, yet others strive to return the local vernacular.
Contemporary architecture's beginnings are harder to define, since architectural history always has overlap, and this trend is more noticeable during the 20th century. Neo-futurism and high-tech architecture both began in the 1970s, as did Postmodernism. However, Postmodernism began to fall out of vogue during the 1990s, as its frequent parody of traditional architectural elements was eventually viewed as kitschy. Neo-futurism and high-tech architecture thrived throughout this time period, largely due to the work of starchitects such as Zaha Hadid, Norman Foster, and Santiago Calatrava.
By 2000, contemporary architecture began to take on the forms it is best known for--swoopy geometry, white exteriors with large expanses of glass, and massive scale. These principles continue today with little alteration.
Though this method of designing is aesthetically beautiful, it is often exorbitantly expensive and harsh on the environment. Another frequent criticism is its lack of context--these buildings achieve the exact same effect regardless of their location or surroundings.
Not all architecture firms today operate with the same tenets, though, as another trend that has begun is the return to vernacular architecture. The architecture and construction industries are one of the biggest contributors to global warming, and some firms are focusing on designs that are better for the environment, using local materials and construction techniques. Buildings are becoming increasingly sustainable with LEED certifications. Features like green roofs and walls are popular, and the conservation of energy has become a design consideration.