Cities, Cultures, and Resistance: Beyond Leon Krier and the Postmodern Condition

Abstract

This article situates the work of Leon Krier within the contexts of postindustrialism and postmodernism. The author is critical of Krier, and finds problematic his self-proclaimed stance of idealism/purism, a position which devalues a possible practice of direct cultural and political action, and reduces his work to the level of hollow scenography. Dutton argues that, especially in these times, architects must strive to overcome their marginalization. He points to an instrumental role for architecture in promoting transformative cultural directions, politics, and ways of life. He argues that there is maneuverability to resist dominant culture, a precondition of which is for architects to link with struggling cultures to help produce their vision and spatiality.

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Notes on contributors

Thomas A. Dutton

Thomas A. Dutton is an architect and associate professor at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. He is a graduate of California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo and Washington University in St. Louis. Since 1981 Dutton has worked closely with community groups of the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of downtown Cincinnati, Ohio—one of the largest low/moderate income areas of the city—where he has helped formulate plans for physical and social rejuvenation.