Architecture of the 1960s is often referred to as the Post Modern era. During the 60s the conflict between The Establishment and individual identity and self expression affected architecture as it did nearly all things. In public structures and private housing of the affluent, architecture of the 60s was moving away from long held rules. Although moderate housing in the United States still reflected the architecture of preceding years, such as ranch and split level houses, more attention was given to site, surrounding buildings and the climate of the area. With the baby boom culminating in the 60s, governments and municipalities recognized the need for formal planning to accommodate the growth.
During the 60s, individual concepts and the desire to express change and informality created disparity between theory and practice in architecture. A new generation of architects emerged, forming a communication network that promoted and expanded the exchange of ideas outside academia. This new breed of architects proposed that architecture was more than the creation of isolated structures but that it required social and environmental considerations as well. The recognition that architecture has a relationship with its surroundings resulted in a new trend of melding structure with environment and ecology.
The 1970s was a turbulent decade. Early in the decade the Viet Nam War was raging, bringing political unrest and social issues. By the mid 70s the energy crisis and resulting economic recession added to social change that would last throughout the decade. Worldwide, architecture of the 70s was atypical, and often bizarre. Individualism and extremism prevailed. Architecture in American housing was more conventional, but reflected change related to the times.
With the return of Viet Nam veterans and the availability of VA mortgages, young families were in the market for housing. At the same time, the social changes of the 70s intensified the exodus from cities to suburbs and rural settings. Architecture in new home construction continued to lean toward the established designs of the 60s but the interior was updated with advances in technology. With the energy crisis, improved insulation, energy efficiency and solar energy were incorporated in the architecture of the day.
A new direction for architecture in the 70s was the trend toward restoration and rehabilitation of existing buildings. Economic constraints and increased awareness of environmental issues caused demand for architecture plans for restoration of old houses, barns, schoolhouses etc for homes. Warehouses and old factories were being converted to apartments, restaurants and shopping malls. Desire for revival and reintegration created a new trend in the common architecture of the decade.