PoMo in WP

“ There are more generative values in postmodern art and architecture than these eleven formulae and they are, inevitably, in a state of evolution…they are partly inconsistent” (Jencks, 293)

Reading through the eleven examples of emerging architectural forms that have been seen and will be seen in postmodern architecture, it made me think about the architecture around us, but in a different way than normal. When most people go and look at real estate or architecture its normally about location and style. However, congruency is rarely the topic of discussion because it is so highly regulated. Cities and towns across the nation enforce more and more strict building codes every year in order to keep the communities looking alike and congruent. Colors, shapes, sizes and features are all regulated. When you build anything, it has to be approved. Winter Park however, is clearly on a different path.

Utterly obsessed with its heritage and place in society, the City of Winter Park is “a charming town in the heart of Central Florida” (CoWP Utilities Billing dept. call waiting schpeal). Taking this confidence (along with it’s generic undertone) into consideration, one would assume that the city is very keyed into its architecture and the way that their communities look, right? I mean, wouldn’t you think that? I did.

I actually thought that up until about three months ago when I moved about two miles from campus into a house that’s in a pretty nice neighborhood (way too nice for college undergrads). What is weird though, is all of the houses around mine. I mean, they literally all look incredibly different. Styles from the West, far East, New York, Italy, Miami and Nantucket with looks that range from ultra contemporary to progressive to Tuscan to the early 1990’s. There is literally NO building regulation in this part of Winter Park. Every single house looks different, so together they all look ridiculous. There is no congruency.

A testament to diversity? I think not. What this really shows (besides poor building codes) is a progression of thought, expressed through style, within a community of like minded people… The values of architecture are evolving, just as Jencks said, and we can see it right here in Winter Park.