Understanding Iconic Architecture as a Source of Meaning in the Pre-Global and Global Era

Mealy Lim
Trinity College Dublin
Department of History of Art and Architecture
2020
BA

Subject: Architecture
Country: Ireland
Period: 21st Century

10,000 words

The purpose of this dissertation is to investigate the different approaches to creating iconic architecture in the pre-global and global era. This topic is explored through two case study buildings within Dublin city; James Gandon’s design for the Custom House (1791) and Kevin Roche’s National Convention Centre (2010). This dissertation argues that preglobal iconic buildings utilised and adopted pre-existing archetypes, with great legilbility to convey dominance. This is distinct to some cases of iconic architecture from the global era which, it has been argued, to preface originality and ‘uniqueness’ in order to ‘stand out’ and assert dominance on an international stage. A further dimension to this analysis considers the impact of inner-city competition of the global era on the cultural expression of iconic architecture.

Irish Georgian Society

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Understanding Iconic Architecture as a Source of Meaning in the Pre-Global and Global Era