By 1970, the first stirrings of the revolt against Modernist orthodoxy in architecture had been felt, although it would be several years more until Postmodernism was widely accepted and made classical motifs permissible in high-style building design for the first time in decades.

The quote by Martin Filler, “By 1970, the first stirrings of the revolt against Modernist orthodoxy in architecture had been felt, although it would be several years more until Postmodernism was widely accepted and made classical motifs permissible in high-style building design for the first time in decades,” describes a pivotal moment in architectural history—the slow but significant shift away from the strict ideals of Modernism toward the more eclectic and expressive style of Postmodernism. Filler, a leading architecture critic, is known for chronicling these cultural and stylistic transitions with clarity and depth.

By referencing Modernist orthodoxy, Filler points to the dominant architectural philosophy of the early and mid-20th century, which emphasized function, simplicity, and the rejection of ornamentation. Architects like Le Corbusier and Mies van der Rohe promoted buildings that were rational, efficient, and stripped of historical references. However, by the late 1960s and early 1970s, some architects and critics began to challenge this rigid approach, seeking greater symbolism, historical continuity, and emotional resonance in architectural design.

The emergence of Postmodernism marked a turning point, where classical motifs—columns, pediments, arches—could once again be used in contemporary buildings, not merely for function, but for meaning and aesthetic richness. It was a deliberate break from Modernism's severity, allowing for irony, contextualism, and a blending of past and present. Filler notes that this transition was not instantaneous; it took years of experimentation and debate before Postmodern architecture was fully accepted within the realm of high design.

This quote likely comes from Filler’s extensive writings on 20th-century architecture, where he often analyzes stylistic evolutions in relation to broader cultural and philosophical shifts. His commentary captures how architectural movements reflect the changing values of society, and how Postmodernism reopened doors that Modernism had firmly closed, reintroducing historical reference and formal diversity into the architectural mainstream.