Modern Atlanta

From Scogin and Elam’s Buckhead Branch Library to Atlanta’s Northcrest Subdivision, Atlanta is a city rich in post-modern (PoMo) architecture.  PoMo Atlanta is your opportunity to visit three such sites MA has identified to be fine PoMo examples having a special place in Atlanta’s architectural landscape. While some have remained lively public spaces over the years, others have been abandoned and fallen victim to serious neglect, leaving many concerned if Atlanta is losing its early modern heritage and begs the question why (Atlanta Constitution Building)?

Disuse to Reuse, London’s famous Tate Modern (Herzog & de Meuron Architects) 

In London, for example, a longtime disused power station was reused and given new life in form of Tate Modern, and in the process Herzog & de Meuron created an architectural masterpiece whose contribution to creativity is internationally recognized. Is Atlanta missing its opportunity to shine?  PoMo Atlanta will help you decide.

Information about PoMo Atlanta locations available in MA09 Program/Guidebook.

Atlanta Constitution Building, Atlanta’s Tate Modern?

Former Atlanta Constitution Building in serious disuse state

Why MA likes this building-

An excellent opportunity to reuse (think Tate Modern here) an existing building with lots of space and potential. Could definitely serve the city and southeast as an internationally-recognized destination for world class exhibitions, fine-dining, and design-related retail. It has lots to offer in terms of its size, scale, and use of light, very close proximity to public transportation, with its original architectural details still in tact. MA’s wish list of international and experienced architects to design this project would include Herzog & de Meuron, Rem Koolhaas, Crepain-Binst, Hans Dieter Schaal, and Atlanta-based Scogin and Elam.

Atlanta Central Public Library

Atlanta Central Public Library designed by Marcel Breuer

Atlanta Central Public Library (1977-1980)

Architect, Marcel Breuer

About Marcel Breuer:

Educated at Bauhaus- 1937 Emigrated to the U.S.A. - In partnership with Walter Gropius, taught at Harvard - Entered private practice after Harvard

Playscapes by Isamu Noguchi

Playscapes, designed by Isamu Noguchi in 1976

In 1933 Isamu Noguchi designed his first playground, Play Mountain a groundbreaking proposal to use the earth as a sculptural object.  The plan was rejected by New York Parks Commissioner Robert Moses, who also would foil Noguchi’s playground at the United Nations Headquarters (1952).  Playscapes is the only Noguchi playground to be completed in his lifetime.

PoMo Atlanta was conceived by MA to educate its audience and help efforts promoting the MA Disuse/Reuse Initiative and Post Modern Architecture in and around Atlanta.

MA would also like to acknowledge the hard work of DOCOMOMO-Georgia Chapter and its ongoing efforts in documentation and preservation of these kinds of PoMo structures. For more visit docomomoga.org