Dictionary of Modern Architecture: Deconstructivism

The new main central branch of the Seattle Public Library was designed by the Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas and opened in 2004.

Deconstructivism, or Deconstruction, is an approach to building design that attempts to view architecture in bits and pieces. The basic elements of architecture are dismantled. Deconstructivist buildings may seem to have no visual logic. They may appear to be made up of unrelated, disharmonious abstract forms. Deconstructive ideas are borrowed from the French philosopher Jacques Derrida.