Can you provide examples of buildings that exemplify New Formalism architecture?

Certainly! New Formalism architecture emerged in the mid-20th century, characterized by a return to classical elements while incorporating modern materials and construction techniques. Here are some notable examples of buildings that exemplify New Formalism architecture:

1. Dulles International Airport Terminal, Washington, D.C., USA: Designed by Eero Saarinen and completed in 1962, the main terminal building features a distinct roof structure inspired by the wings of a bird. It combines classical formalism with modernist design principles, using concrete and glass extensively.

2. Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, New York City, USA: Designed by a team of architects, including Max Abramovitz and Wallace K. Harrison, Lincoln Center is a complex of cultural buildings completed in the 1960s. Notable examples include the Metropolitan Opera House and Avery Fisher Hall. These buildings showcase classical forms, symmetry, and grand entrances while incorporating modern materials.

3. John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C., USA: Designed by Edward Durell Stone and completed in 1971, the Kennedy Center is another cultural complex. It incorporates formalist design elements such as a colonnaded portico and a grand staircase, evoking classical architectural traditions.

4. Pruitt-Igoe Housing Complex, St. Louis, USA: Designed by Minoru Yamasaki and completed in 1955, this now-demolished housing project was a major example of New Formalism in public housing. It consisted of several high-rise towers arranged around open space and employed a modernist façade composed of repetitive elements.

5. National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., USA: The West Building of the National Gallery, designed by John Russell Pope and completed in 1941, can be considered a precursor to New Formalism. It draws heavily from classical architectural vocabulary, featuring monumental facades, symmetrical layouts, and grand public spaces.

These buildings showcase the revival of classical architectural elements while embracing modern materials, technologies, and functional requirements—a defining characteristic of New Formalism.

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