Robert Venturi
Robert Venturi
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Robert Charles Venturi Jr.
Birth and Death Dates
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June 25, 1925 – September 18, 2018
Nationality and Profession(s)
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American Architect, Urban Planner, Professor, and Theorist
Early Life and Background
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Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Robert Venturi was raised in a family of modest means. His father was an accountant, and his mother managed their household while also working as a part-time bookkeeper. As a child, Venturi developed an interest in drawing and architecture, largely influenced by his visits to the nearby city's grand buildings. He pursued this passion at the Central High School in Philadelphia before enrolling at the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London.
Major Accomplishments
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Venturi's architectural career spanned over six decades, with numerous accomplishments that redefined modern architecture. Some of his key contributions include:
Postmodernism: Venturi was instrumental in developing the postmodernist movement, which sought to challenge the dominant modernist ideologies prevalent at the time.
Rejection of Functionalism: He argued against the functionalist approach to design, emphasizing that buildings should be more than just functional spaces. Instead, they should also incorporate elements of art and symbolism.
Notable Works or Actions
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Some of Venturi's most notable works include:
The Sainsbury Wing of the National Gallery (London): A grandiose addition to the museum that blended seamlessly into its existing surroundings.
The Seattle Art Museum: A postmodern masterpiece with a façade inspired by ancient Greek temples and a interior design reminiscent of Asian pagodas.
Venturi's architectural firm, VSBA Architects & Planners: He co-founded this firm in 1989 with his wife Denise Scott Brown and partner Robert Gutman.Impact and Legacy
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Robert Venturi's impact on modern architecture cannot be overstated. His ideas on postmodernism and the importance of symbolism in design have influenced generations of architects worldwide. His legacy extends beyond his buildings, as he paved the way for a new era of architectural creativity and experimentation.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Robert Venturi's quotes often emphasize the importance of context in design, encouraging architects to think creatively about how buildings interact with their surroundings. Some of his most famous quotes include:
"Learn from mistakes."
"The more one does, the more there is to do."
"Complexity and contradiction are among the toughest challenges facing contemporary culture."
Quotes by Robert Venturi
Modernism is about space. Postmodernism is about communication. You should do what turns you on.
When circumstances defy order, order should bend or break: anomalies and uncertainties give validity to architecture.
As an architect, I try to be guided not by habit but by a conscious sense of the past-by precedent, thoughtfully considered...As an artist, I frankly write about what I like in architecture: complexity and contradiction. From what we find we like-what we are easily attracted to-we can learn much of what we really are.
Disharmony that comes from circumstances that are valid has tension, poignancy, quality, and beauty.
The Italian landscape has always harmonized the vulgar and the Vitruvian: the contorni around the duomo, the portiere'S laundry across the padrone's portone, Supercortemaggiore against the Romanesque apse. Naked children have never played in our fountains, and I. M. Pei will never be happy on Route 66.