: A commitment to revealing how a building works. This includes the celebratory display of structural systems (exposed steel) and mechanical services (pipes, air ducts, lifts).
: A strict preference for metal and glass over traditional, "messy" materials like brick or timber.
: High-Tech architects often claim their designs are purely functional and efficient, seeking to be judged by performance criteria like any other industrial tool. High Tech Architecture - Colin Davies
: Buildings are often designed as "serviced sheds"—large, open-plan spaces with reconfigurable interiors and no internal load-bearing walls.
In his seminal 1988 book, High Tech Architecture , Colin Davies provides a comprehensive survey of the movement, defining it not just as a construction method but as a profound cultural and symbolic expression. He positions High-Tech as a British-led movement that sought to align architecture with the "spirit of the age" by borrowing from advanced industries like aerospace, transport, and communication. Core Characteristics and Themes : A commitment to revealing how a building works
: Davies argues that High-Tech is rarely the most economical solution. For example, exposed steel and visible air conditioning ducts are often more expensive than traditional alternatives.
One of Davies' most significant contributions is his analysis of the tension between . : High-Tech architects often claim their designs are
: While most High-Tech buildings are unique one-offs, they are designed to look mass-produced and machine-like, suggesting they could be easily dismantled or repeated. The Functional vs. Symbolic Paradox