London’s recent building boom has foregrounded discussions about architectural style, but postmodernism has been practiced in the capital for more than forty years. This course will look at the style’s variety through key examples.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
In recent years postmodernism has become a dominant style in London. This course will discuss its development, its relationship with modernism and the variety of idioms labelled postmodern, with a view to assessing its successes and failings.
Please note – there will be building visits as part of the afternoon study and this will involve some walking between destinations.
• Different styles broadly labelled postmodern • Materials and techniques • Postmodernisms relationship with modernism.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Identify and describe key visual characteristics of postmodernism. • Explain factors motivating architectural form and aesthetics • Discuss architectural works within context (e.g. social, political, religious, artistic).
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for all levels and requires no prior art history knowledge.
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs, and health and safety information, and will be invited to take part in group discussion.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The first part of this study day will take place in the classroom at City Lit. It will be focused on lecture with slide illustration as well as group discussion. The second part of the day will be out in London, a guided visit to architectural sites.
Offsite courses take place during public access hours. Tutors are not able to control sound levels or the behaviour of visitors outside of the course group. Unless you are a wheelchair user and have confirmed access details with us (as levels of access can vary between buildings), you will need to be able to walk between galleries and stand for some time while looking at buildings. You may bring your own portable stool if you have one, but we cannot guarantee access to seating offsite. If you feel you may be impacted by these environmental variations, please inform the department on humanities@citylit.ac.uk before the course begins, in order to discuss reasonable accommodations that we can make to assist your learning offsite.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You might wish to bring a notebook. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list given out in class. Please wear comfortable footwear and bring an umbrella or waterproof clothing.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
London architecture: Renaissance, Baroque and Palladian Study day: Modern design - Bauhaus to Pop
Dr Rachel Sanders received her MA and PhD in History of Art from University College, London. She has taught at a number of institutions and currently lectures on the history of art and design at City Lit and Oxford Brookes University. Her research interest is early twentieth-century American political paintings and cartoons. She has published a number of articles on her research specialism and is currently writing a book on New Masses magazine.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/london-architecture-post-modernism305282London architecture: post-modernismhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/l/o/london-architecture-post-modernism-1080.jpg6969GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Architecture, design & material culture/Courses/vm/Contemporary Culture Courses in London2285113611771898171712285117711361653London’s recent building boom has foregrounded discussions about architectural style, but postmodernism has been practiced in the capital for more than forty years. This course will look at the style’s variety through key examples.152720394London architecture: post-modernism6969https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/l/o/london-architecture-post-modernism-1080_2.jpgInStockDaytimeSatKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekend2026-04-25T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allApr 2026Culture, history & humanitiesVB8216969London architecture: post-modernism554569Rachel Sanderslondon-architecture-post-modernism/vb821-2526London’s recent building boom has foregrounded discussions about architectural style, but postmodernism has been practiced in the capital for more than forty years. This course will look at the style’s variety through key examples.0000-Available|2026-04-25 00:00:00<p>In recent years postmodernism has become a dominant style in London. This course will discuss its development, its relationship with modernism and the variety of idioms labelled postmodern, with a view to assessing its successes and failings.<br/><br/>Please note – there will be building visits as part of the afternoon study and this will involve some walking between destinations.</p><p>Course image credit: <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:SIS_Building,_Vauxhall_Cross_-_geograph.org.uk_-_4541871.jpg">Richard Cooke</a>, <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en">CC BY-SA 2.0</a></p>London’s recent building boom has foregrounded discussions about architectural style, but postmodernism has been practiced in the capital for more than forty years. This course will look at the style’s variety through key examples.• Different styles broadly labelled postmodern<br/>• Materials and techniques<br/>• Postmodernisms relationship with modernism.• Identify and describe key visual characteristics of postmodernism.<br/>• Explain factors motivating architectural form and aesthetics<br/>• Discuss architectural works within context (e.g. social, political, religious, artistic).This course is suitable for all levels and requires no prior art history knowledge.<br/><br/>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs, and health and safety information, and will be invited to take part in group discussion.The first part of this study day will take place in the classroom at City Lit. It will be focused on lecture with slide illustration as well as group discussion. The second part of the day will be out in London, a guided visit to architectural sites. <br/><br/>Offsite courses take place during public access hours. Tutors are not able to control sound levels or the behaviour of visitors outside of the course group. Unless you are a wheelchair user and have confirmed access details with us (as levels of access can vary between buildings), you will need to be able to walk between galleries and stand for some time while looking at buildings. You may bring your own portable stool if you have one, but we cannot guarantee access to seating offsite. If you feel you may be impacted by these environmental variations, please inform the department on humanities@citylit.ac.uk before the course begins, in order to discuss reasonable accommodations that we can make to assist your learning offsite.You might wish to bring a notebook. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list given out in class. Please wear comfortable footwear and bring an umbrella or waterproof clothing.<p>London architecture: Renaissance, Baroque and Palladian<br/>Study day: Modern design - Bauhaus to Pop</p>Art historyArchitecture, design & material culturevirtual556945VB821NONESat25/04/2611:00 - 17:0011:0017:001 session1One-off onlyWeekendKSKeeley StreetRachel SandersBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-04-25T00:00:00+00:00DaytimeApr 2026Culture, history & humanities6969London architecture: post-modernismlondon-architecture-post-modernism/vb821-2526London’s recent building boom has foregrounded discussions about architectural style, but postmodernism has been practiced in the capital for more than forty years. This course will look at the style’s variety through key examples.0000-Available|2026-04-25 00:00:00<p>In recent years postmodernism has become a dominant style in London. This course will discuss its development, its relationship with modernism and the variety of idioms labelled postmodern, with a view to assessing its successes and failings.<br/><br/>Please note – there will be building visits as part of the afternoon study and this will involve some walking between destinations.</p><p>Course image credit: <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:SIS_Building,_Vauxhall_Cross_-_geograph.org.uk_-_4541871.jpg">Richard Cooke</a>, <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en">CC BY-SA 2.0</a></p>London’s recent building boom has foregrounded discussions about architectural style, but postmodernism has been practiced in the capital for more than forty years. This course will look at the style’s variety through key examples.• Different styles broadly labelled postmodern<br/>• Materials and techniques<br/>• Postmodernisms relationship with modernism.• Identify and describe key visual characteristics of postmodernism.<br/>• Explain factors motivating architectural form and aesthetics<br/>• Discuss architectural works within context (e.g. social, political, religious, artistic).This course is suitable for all levels and requires no prior art history knowledge.<br/><br/>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs, and health and safety information, and will be invited to take part in group discussion.The first part of this study day will take place in the classroom at City Lit. It will be focused on lecture with slide illustration as well as group discussion. The second part of the day will be out in London, a guided visit to architectural sites. <br/><br/>Offsite courses take place during public access hours. Tutors are not able to control sound levels or the behaviour of visitors outside of the course group. Unless you are a wheelchair user and have confirmed access details with us (as levels of access can vary between buildings), you will need to be able to walk between galleries and stand for some time while looking at buildings. You may bring your own portable stool if you have one, but we cannot guarantee access to seating offsite. If you feel you may be impacted by these environmental variations, please inform the department on humanities@citylit.ac.uk before the course begins, in order to discuss reasonable accommodations that we can make to assist your learning offsite.You might wish to bring a notebook. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list given out in class. Please wear comfortable footwear and bring an umbrella or waterproof clothing.<p>London architecture: Renaissance, Baroque and Palladian<br/>Study day: Modern design - Bauhaus to Pop</p>Art historyArchitecture, design & material cultureconfigurable
18981136Architecture, design & material culturehttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/art-history/architecture-design-material-culture1/2/285/1177/1136/18981/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Architecture, design & material culture
Gods and heroes from Classical to Renaissance artFull fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £129.00
