The phenomenon of postmodernism in architecture cannot be reduced to questions of style. For several decades, theoretical discourses played a crucial role in architectural production. Issue 42 presents the second part of our examination of so-called postmodernism. While the previous issue dealt with changing perspectives on the city, form and questions of architectural identity and their retrospective classification, the contributions of the present issue focus on questions of representation and discourse. The thinking referred to as postmodern has produced a plethora of new forms of engagement with and representation of architecture and urbanism that continue to resonate today. New forms of discourse and techniques of representation also gave rise to new role models, self-understandings and institutions. Would it be an exaggeration to speak of the "golden years" of theory? In the long run, has postmodernism led to a popularisation or a loss of relevance of architecture? Or even, paradoxically, to both?
With contributions by Guia Baratelli, Sabine Brinitzer, Giovanni Carli, Frida Grahn, Samuel Korn, Kasper Lægring, Kenta Matsui, Giacomo Pala and Alexandru Sabău, curated by Sonja Hnilica and Riklef Rambow.