Ugly and Ordinary
Ugly and Ordinary
Definition
"Ugly and Ordinary" (often abbreviated U&O) is an aesthetic and theoretical stance developed by Venturi, Scott Brown, and Izenour in Learning from Las Vegas (1977). It champions conventional, unremarkable, even "boring" architecture over the "heroic and original" monuments of Modernism. U&O architecture accepts its ordinariness, uses conventional materials and methods, and finds richness through symbolism and context rather than unique form. The term was initially used by critics (Philip Johnson, Gordon Bunshaft) to describe Venturi's work, but the authors embraced it.
Key Thinkers
- venturi-robert — Developed U&O as an alternative to heroic Modernism; argues for "thinking little" rather than monumental gestures
- scott-brown-denise — Co-developer; connected U&O to populist taste and commercial vernacular
- izenour-steven — Co-author of Learning from Las Vegas
Related Concepts
- decorated-shed — The building type associated with U&O aesthetics
- the-duck — The contrasting "heroic and original" approach
- commercial-vernacular — The source of U&O imagery (gas stations, motels, signs)
- everyday-architecture — Broader category of ordinary built environment
- vernaculars-of-capitalism — Related framework for understanding commercial building
Source Support
Sources in the wiki that discuss this concept:
Open Questions
- How does U&O relate to contemporary interest in "normcore" aesthetics?
- Is U&O a genuinely populist stance or an ironic architectural pose?
- What is the political dimension of embracing "ordinary" architecture in contexts of inequality?