Formally, postmodern architecture considers the revival of traditional images, such as the arch, previously rejected as unsuited to modern building materials and modern architectural aesthetics.
至於恢復的方式，各個建築師的看法不盡相同，總之不再講求嚴格的理性。平整不是美，裝飾有情味以「拱圈」為例。這種西方傳統建築中通用的象徵，到了講求尊重材質的現代建築終被徹底摒棄。