Futurist architecture (or better: FUTURISTIC ARCHITECTURE) began as an early-20th century form of architecture characterized by anti-historicism and long horizontal lines suggesting speed, motion and urgency. The movement lasted in Italy from around 1909 to 1944, with works by notable figures such as architect Antonio Sant'Elia, author Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, and sculptor Umberto Boccioni.
Futurism has become a broad trend in modern design which aspires to create architecture of an imagined future, normally thought to be at least 10 years into the future. The beginnings of the "futuristic" attitude go back to the visionary drawings of Italian architect Antonio Sant'Elia (in Italy), as well as the Googie architecture of 1950s California and subsequent Space Age trends (in U.S.A.) . Early features of "futuristic" attitude included fins and ledges, bubble shapes and sweeping curves. The city of Brasilia, designed by architect Oscar Niemeyer, is perhaps the largest implementation of a futuristic architecture ever undertaken. The style has been reinterpreted by different generations of architects across several decades, but is usually marked by striking shapes, clean lines, and advanced materials.
Architects who have been influential in the futuristic movement include:
Popular Examples of Futuristic architecture
- Tomorrowland, at Disneyland in Anaheim, is perhaps the most famous outpost of futurism in the world.
- Epcot Center at Walt Disney World in Florida
- The Space Needle in Seattle
- The "Theme Building" at Los Angeles International Airport
- Oakley clothing stores
- The Capitol Records building in Los Angeles
- The Oriental Pearl Tower in Shanghai
- The Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco
- The Burj al-Arab hotel in Dubai
- The Westin Bonaventure hotel in Los Angeles
- Empire State Plaza in Albany, NY