The architecture of the twentieth century is represented by a variety of styles and approaches. However, one of its most important concepts is the idea of autonomous architecture which was introduced by Peter Eisenman, John Hejduk, Michael Graves, and others. This theory implies that architecture should be independent of social or political forces that may impact the creative decisions of an architect. One of the main movements that should be discussed is avant-gardism. For instance, one can mention the works of Bernard Tschumi who preferred the use of geometric forms prisms, or cylinders. This architect is famous for several projects, for instance, Parc de la Villette which is located in Paris.
Additionally, twentieth-century architecture is characterized by anti-centrism and regionalism. It means that the designers of different countries attempted to develop an architectural style that could distinguish a local culture from others. For instance, researchers often refer to the works of Mario Botta who designed a series of buildings in Switzerland. Furthermore, one should speak about the Japanese architecture that strived to reconcile the aesthetic principles of Japanese culture and the need to make sure that the population could have access to housing.
It should be noted that during the twentieth century, architects began to discuss such concepts as sustainability and efficient use of land. They had to take into account how people could use the buildings and how these constructions could affect others. For instance, one can mention the works of Jaime Lermer who designed the transit system for the city of Curitiba. Apart from that, architects were willing to use sustainable materials such as timber. Among such architects, scholars often distinguish Yung Chang who advocated the use of bamboo. So, the designers working during the twentieth century attempted to be autonomous in their creative decisions. However, at the same time, they had to create buildings that were efficient and sustainable.