Architects of Accommodation: a Historical and Architectural Analysis of Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown

Abstract

Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown, with Steven Izenour, in 1972 produced the book Learning from Las Vegas. This work spawned a great deal of architectural debate and has been considered one of the first moments in the emergence of Postmodernism in architecture. The book included many methodologies, which would have been considered novel at the time. This thesis explores the origins of those methodologies, and investigates the manner by which Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown contributed to their overall architectural theory, which led them to choose these novel methodologies. This will be accomplished by examining written work by Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown individually before and around the same time as the publication and writing of Learning from Las Vegas. Additionally this thesis will explore the ways in which Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown were able to transfer their architectural theory into actual design. The fact that they did this, and were so hard set in doing so, will be put forth as evidence that the Las Vegas study was based on legitimate view held by Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown. This is opposed to the possibility that the decision to study Las Vegas was made because of a fleeting interest in an exciting new city at the time. By looking forward, past Learning from Las Vegas, to designs made by the pair in the 70s, 80s, and 90s will further reinforce this notion. As the scale of the pair’s architectural commissions increased, the ramifications of imparting controversial theory on designs became larger. It will be shown that in the face of these immense ramifications Venturi and Scott Brown still refused to change their theories or designs, even in the face of backlash. Venturi and Scott Brown ultimately lost two projects due to this, in Philadelphia and New York. These projects would have given the architects an opportunity to make an indelible mark upon these two cities. This will be put forth as ultimate proof of Venturi and Scott Brown’s legitimate holding of their architectural theories which lead to the Las Vegas study, and subsequent book. These later designs will also be compared to their earlier written theory and it will be shown that they have been able to retain much of their architectural philosophy, just updating it to match changing technologies and cultures. This thesis ultimately argues that this enduring nature of their theory is the most remarkable aspect of the pair’s career.