High-Tech Architectural Style Buildings That Will Blow Your Mind!

Did you sometimes wonder what High-Tech architectural style is, and from where it originates? As an architect or designer, did you ever know what is also recognized as Late Modernism or Structural Expressionism as well?

In fact, it is one of the architectural styles that appeared in the 1970s end or what we named Late Modernism. It is also called Structural Expressionism due to the various features of the high-tech industry used and incorporated as a design to build a new concept of edifices and constructions.

If you're interested in learning more about the high-tech architectural style, there are a few resources you can check out. You can start with this article, which gives a basic overview of the architectural style, including its history, key features, and some of the world's most famous high-tech buildings!

The high-tech architectural style is a type of architecture that emerged in the late 20th century. It is characterized by the use of advanced technological systems and materials, such as steel and glass. High-tech architecture is often seen as being cold and sterile, but it can also be seen as being sleek and modern.

The high-tech style first emerged in the 1960s, with the construction of the Centre Pompidou in Paris. This building used exposed steel pipes and brightly colored ductwork to create a unique look. Since then, high-tech architecture has been used in a variety of different ways, from office buildings to museums.

This sort of architecture was considered to be a link between Modern and Post-Modern Architecture. Even though, the exact period is still unknown from when this architectural style begins and when post-modern architecture was over. Approximatively in the year 1980, the high-tech style started to differ from the post-modern: Many of the elements and ideas which derivates from the post-modern era were added to the high-tech architecture later in addition to its own.

What are the Style Characteristics?

To learn, High-Tech Architecture derives then from the Modernist style, exploiting and employing new methods in technology and construction materials. It holds transparency in design and construction, which highlights the connection and function of a building starting from its interior that emerges to the exterior.

As for the philosophy adopted here, it expresses the architectural concept by managing the interior and passing through it arises onto the exterior.

More steel and concrete were used in this kind of architecture, which is clear proof of the above-cited philosophy of the Inside-Outside Architectural Concept. Where steel and concrete materials form the essential structural elements. Generally, those projects with a High-Tech style usually consist of a clear glass facade, with the building's structural beams visible behind it.

Examples of High-Tech Buildings Worldwide

Fig.2- The Hearst Tower in New York City by Foster, Photo: Wikipedia

To be more specific in my discussion, I am sharing hereby some of the well-known international projects designed with and featuring High-Tech architectural style: I must say that Structural Expressionism buildings also reveal the design either from the inside or the outside of the construction but in a very prominent way.

To be more clear, the internal mechanical or electrical installation, which is an essential element of the modern building structure, will be shown and displayed to the external side in a very inventive and creative way.

If you look closer at some of this style's first followers, architects, and its early adopters, then you will find that it would surely include the British architect Norman Foster who designed "The Hearst Tower" (Fig.2 above), whose work since earned him decency and character. In addition to the Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, known mostly for his organic and skeleton-like designs. (Fig.3 below)

Fig.3- Gare do Oriente, Lisbon, Portugal (1998) by Calatrava, Photo: Wikipedia

As for another practical and typical example, you will surely come across the most well-known, and very renowned edifice built with this style in mind; You will certainly recognize the I.M. Pei's Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong (shown in the figure below).

Fig.4- With its structural crossed steel tubes, visible from the outside, is a pure example of the high-tech style used in the Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong, Photo: archdaily.com

Likely, the devasted World Trade Center in New York, although generally considered to be an International Style building, is believed to be a Structural Expressionism design due to its load-bearing steel exoskeleton.

Another live example of a High-Tech building is the Georges Pompidou Center in Paris, mentioned earlier in this post. It features the mechanical and ventilation installation visible to the center’s visitors; Its creative concept consists of gaining more areas for exhibition by relocating and repositioning the disturbing piping network and thus freeing more space. The interesting fact is the usage of various color paints to show up the beauty of the unique creativity. (Shown in Fig.5)

Fig.5- The ventilation ducts are all outstandingly displayed on the outer elevation, Photo: www.legorafi.fr

And there is a lot to mention here, such as the Lloyds Building, London designed by Richard Rogers, and other famous worldwide projects. (Fig.6)

Similarly, we can notice as well the building of HSBC Bank in Hong Kong, China, which is a typical example of the high-tech style.

Fig.6- The Lloyds Building, London designed by Richard Rogers, Photo: Financial Times

The Style Aspects

The main features of High-Tech Architecture have not remained stable and unique but have changed and are diverse somewhat, according to the technology evolution. Yet all have highlighted technical elements, notably the display of the building's technical and functional components, such as various sanitary and mechanical extensions, air-conditioning ducts, ventilation pipes, etc...

All were externalized, often along with load-bearing arrangements, and composed within a unique layout, which I believe creates the identity of each construction apart.

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Usage of pre-fabricated elements and glass walls combined with steel frames were also hugely employed. (See Fig.1 above)

If you want to see an example of what precedes, then I must say that you will not find a more distinguished example than Centre Pompidou, in Paris. The ventilation ducts are all outstandingly shown on the outer back elevation, the front being reserved for the steel structure likely outwardly visible (Refer to Fig.5 above and Fig.7 below)

Fig.7- The front elevation of Pompidou Center- Paris, Photo: Wikipedia

To conclude, and as you can see, this kind of architectural style is becoming very popular nowadays and more and more designers and architects are adopting it in their projects because of its powerfulness, futuristic, creativity, functionality, and beauty as well, as many other aesthetic reasons... So, don’t you agree?