Architects in the second half and late 20th century drive the movement of high and post modernism, where they commemorate the architectural works and ideas throughout the past and give a more abstract approach of architecture. Cardboard architecture takes a similar approach, where cardboard models that give a derogatory term for the Baroque and Gothic styles of architecture. Peter Eisenmann introduced cardboard architecture that give a more abstract explanation of architectural works in the 20th century.
Peter Eisenmann presented his cardboard models of House I and House II that represent an abstract of post modernism architecture. The spaces are more incomplete that show the cardboard architecture movement is not interested anymore with the functionalism and meaning of the works, they are potentially independent of themselves. (Eisenman, Cardboard Architecture 1967) The models also represent the irony of the façades of the past from Baroque and Gothic that they are very ornamented with no meaning of the buildings. Eisenmann also wanted to use the abstract use of cardboard architecture to make the architectural works more dynamic.
The similar approach goes into Wolf Prix with Coop Himmelb(l)au, where they tend to focus on their works to be more energetic, where the structures themselves tend to move from energy, such as wind. Also, these structures are similar to high modernism movements where they focus on more with the infinite space with the project of between Heaven and Hell: Architecture of Clouds. (Prix 1998) Coop Himmelb(l)au focuses on combining the energy and infinite space that creates a summary of what modernism architecture tends to approach.
The cardboard architecture movement and Coop Himmelb(l)au contribute as late to post modernism movements. From the abstract carboard models of Eisenman that move to the post functionalism to the dynamic structures from energy of Wolf Prix, these structures define the approach where current architecture stands. These architectural works still stand strong today and mark how architecture will approach in the future.
References
Eisenman, Peter. 1967. Cardboard Architecture.
—. 1976. Post Functionalism.
Prix, Wolf. 1998. “Between Heaven and Hell: Architecture of Clouds.”
As always, a good summary, but I’m not reading a more critical interpretation of the readings. As stated previously, it’s important to stake out a position and state whether you agree or disagree, find beneficial or problematic, the ideas and works of the past section.