Edifice Complex: The Architecture of Power

by Deyan Sudjic

Book by Sudjic, Deyan

Genres: Architecture, Nonfiction, Politics, History, Urban Studies, Art, Reference

464 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Deyan Sudjic is Director of the Design Museum. He was born in London, and studied architecture in Edinburgh. He has worked as a critic for The Observer and The Sunday Times, as the editor of Domus in Milan, as the director of the Venice Architecture Biennale, and as a curator in Glasgow, Istanbul and Copenhagen. He is the author of B is for Bauhaus, The Language of Things and The Edifice Complex.

Reviews

[Savasandir · Rating 2 out of 5]

Il saggio parte bene, con l'ottima analisi dell'annichilente Nuova Cancelleria del Terzo Reich e le altre architetture progettate da Albert Speer per Hitler; continua altrettanto bene con la descrizione della visione ideologica che Stalin aveva dell’architettura e l'iter del progetto stile "torta di matrimonio" per il mastodontico Palazzo dei Soviet, sempre con una meditata alternanza tra fatti storici e aneddoti, garantendo così un tono assai vivace alla narrazione.
Poi, lo sciagurato autore decide improvvidamente di valicar le Alpi, e qui cominciano le dolenti note.
Sostenere che le architetture fasciste siano più gradevoli alla vista rispetto a quelle naziste e comuniste perché Mussolini fu un dittatore meno sanguinario di Hitler e Stalin è una teoria quantomai bislacca, in primo luogo perché trovo che una classifica di crudeltà tirannica sia non solo incredibilmente oziosa, ma pure irrispettosa nei confronti di chi quelle dittature le ha subite, e definire il Ventennio fascista un "Regime da operetta" denota una scarsa conoscenza della Storia, a cui si somma evidentemente anche una scarsa conoscenza della Storia dell'Architettura perché forse l'Autore non lo sa, ma l'architettura tedesca è sempre stata funerea, anche ai tempi del kaiser, così come l'architettura russa è sempre stata pacchiana, anche ai tempi degli zar.
Le proporzioni invece, che sono quella cosa che rende un edificio gradevole all'occhio umano, sono da sempre prerogativa dell’architettura italiana; Vitruvio, Francesco di Giorgio Martini, Leon Battista Alberti, Vignola, Palladio, Serlio, difficile ignorarli tutti; gli italiani sono maestri nelle proporzioni, e Piacentini non fa eccezione. Le sue opere furono senz'altro spesso sgraziate e magniloquenti al pari di quelle realizzate dai suoi colleghi operanti nelle dittature d'oltralpe, ma grazie all'uso delle proporzioni le architetture piacentiniane sono connotate da un'aura metafisica, del tutto assente nei progetti approvati da Hitler e Stalin.

Dopo di ciò, il saggio continua la sua cavalcata trionfale fra le simbologie architettoniche del potere attraverso la Cina maoista, i dominî britannici, la Turchia di Atatürk, la Persia dell'ultimo scià, la Francia di Mitterand, fino all'America dei Rockefeller e dei vari presidenti; materia senza dubbio interessantissima, ma il tarlo che l'Autore abbia usato la stessa superficialità dimostrata per l’architettura italiana (che conosco meglio) anche per le opere sparse nel resto del Mondo rimane una fastidiosa costante fino alla fine del libro.
Anche perché, quando l'occhio indagatore si posa nuovamente sul Bel Paese, e nello specifico sulla Torino di Gianni Agnelli, l'Autore si esibisce di nuovo in una serie di uscite infelici che dimostrano ancora una volta tutto il suo pressappochismo.

Ed all'appello mancano a mio modesto avviso diversi casi esemplari di luoghi ideati da grandi potenti del XX Secolo che vollero imprimere il loro marchio al mondo, come ad esempio (per citare due casi agli antipodi) lo sventramento urbanistico di Bucarest per l'edificazione dell'immenso palazzo del dittatore rumeno Ceaușescu, o i due parchi a tema -di cui solo uno poi effettivamente realizzato- ideati da Walt Disney.

Come se non bastasse, a mano a mano che le architetture trattate si fanno più recenti, la tendenza al pettegolezzo prende una deriva incontrollata, facendo così scemare di molto l'interesse per la lettura.

[Lars Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well-written book on a fascinating subject. I came to it after reading Zola's 'The Kill', which is set against the backdrop of the Haussmannisation of Paris, Napoleon III's use of architecture as an expression (and possibly instrument) of political power. Tyrants like to build big. This book looks at the relationship between architecture and power, mostly 20th century, from Hitler's plans for Berlin, via Stalin's Russia, through to modern-day China. There is also an unexpectedly interesting chapter on US Presidential libraries. My only criticism would be that there are no illustrations at all, but of course it's easy enough to find the relevant pictures on the internet.

[Paul Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is part architectural history, and part gossip column. I'm about half way through it, and so far it has proven interesting. There's some very good information about architecture in Fascist regimes, and some juicy dish on the starchitects.

[Andrius Baležentis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Architektūra man yra ne tik profesija ar aistra - vertinu ją kaip įtakingiausią meno rūšį, nes ji paliečia kiekvieno žmogaus gyvenimą, buitį, be jos neapsieina jokia kita meno rūšis. Architektūra išlieka amžiams, kartais tūkstantmečiams ir yra labiausiai visuomenei matoma, prieinama, jaučiama ilgalaikio meno forma, kuri nejučia, bet neišvengiamai formuoja kiekvieno žmogaus rutiną, gyvenimo būdą, buitį, net tikėjimą ir jausmus. Nieko nuostabaus, kad pasaulio galingieji visais laikais bandė save įmažinti ir išreikšti, pasitelkdami architektūros kalbą, palikdami kartais sėkmingą, o kartais siaubingą antspaudą mūsų aplinkoje.

Aš toks laimingas, kad ši knyga atsidūrė mano rankose, nes buvo įdomu ne tik profesine prasme atrasti naujus objektus, prisiminti senus, sužinoti jų istoriją, pamatyti ją politiniame ar paskalų kontekste, bet ir atsistoti į akistatą su asmeninėmis vertybėmis. Man atrodo, kad daugelis užsakovų turi mažo diktatoriaus apraiškų, tik kiekvienas žaidžia savame mastelyje: vieni nori patikti kaimynams ar pademostruoti statusą, kiti galvoja tik apie uždarbį, treti svajoja paslėpti savo neišmanymą po praktiškumo ar minimalizmo kauke, ketvirti siekia realizuoti savo svajones, bet abejingų užsakovų tiesiog neegzistuoja gamtoje, todėl ta santykių dinamika tarp architekto, rangovo ir užsakovų visada yra įdomi ir skirtinga, o knyga labai padeda auginti vidinį stuburą ir autoritetą, nes istorija architektūros konformizmo neatleidžia, klaidos dažnai lieka matomos ilgus dešimtmečius, o architektų prostitucija diktatoriams lieka jų biografijose.

Vienintelis iššūkis - knyga nepateikia nuotraukų ir brėžinių, todėl skaitant tenka paplušėti renkant vizualią informaciją internete, bet iš kitos pusės taip dar daugiau atrandi ir pamatai.

[Todd Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating look at the interconnections between political power and the use of architecture to reflect and enhance that power. Beginning with Saddam Hussein's Mother of All Battles Mosque and then reaching back to Albert Speer's work for the Nazi regime, Sudjic deftly analyzes the use of architecture to reflect the goals, personalities and attitudes of those in power. Normally I don't care whether books are illustrated, but this one would have benefited greatly from the inclusion of photographs of some of the architectural wonders discussed. All in all, this is a marvelously engaging read for those interested in architecture and the spectrum of power.

[Liam Ostermann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Acerbic examination of the relationships between despots, presidents and the super-rich, and the architects who vie for their commissions.

Observer architecture critic Sudjic is fascinated by the baroque dance of mutual flattery that prominent architects and their pay-masters engage to achieve immortality either by designing or commissioning 'great' buildings. Sudjic looks at Albert Speer’s promises to Hitler regarding Berlin’s “ruin value,” Donald Trump’s application of vulgar business bluster to skyscraper marketing and Saddam Hussein’s building mania at the time of publication the latest attempt by a dictator to secure a permanence that rarely endures. Nowadays the actual building of these monuments doesn't seem to matter, announcing them, see for example Donald Trump's ballroom for the White House, seems to be sufficient.

How far we have come in the twenty years since this book was written is a cautionary warning about the transient nature of all writing emerging from journalism/polemics. Eventually they become artifacts of their time just as much as the buildings they write about. What Sudjic had to say about the 'edifice complex' as a phase is no longer a prediction, but a fact. The 2008 financial crisis saw to that but that does not mean there is no reason to refer back to the monstrous moral squalor of dictators in Fascist and Communist countries - but there are plenty of current ones.

I hate to say it but it is a book of its time, not completely superseded but I wouldn't recommend buying sight unseen.

[Ugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a flawless book. Given its subject matter, it was ironic that I could discern no coherent structure, in terms of an argument or even just an approach to dealing with the subject that began in one place and progressed through a discernable route to a climax. The book reads more like a collection of loosely connected magazine features, which perhaps shouldn't be a surprise given Sudjic's history as the Editor of architecture magazine Domus.

But it just didn't matter. I found the topic itself so interesting, and Sudjic's writing so entertaining - lively, scathing, and at times outright hilarious - that I was as gripped by TEC as I am by the very good spy thriller I've since moved on to.

I will be seeking more from Mr Sudjic.

[Simona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sukrimtau labai kietą ir įdomų riešutėlį!
Pradėjus skaityti ir žymėtis vienu metu jau pagalvojau, ar verta, nes tuoj visa knyga lapukais nuklijuota bus. 😅

Architektūra mane vis pašaukia pasiįdomauti ir pasmalsauti ir šią pamačius išties norėjau perskaityti. O jau skaitant tai visokių etapų buvo - nuo kaip įdomu ir kaip galva verda, iki - man kiek per detalu, ne iki galo suprantu, mintys ima klajot, reikia grįžt kelias pastraipas atgal.

Man ji iš tų knygų kurias tikrai reikia skaityti susikaupus, visus atminties padargus pajungus.

UŽTAT įveikus toks džiugesys apima! 💛

Labiausiai žavėjo toks gilus, išsamus ir visapusiškas požiūris į architektūrą, kuri iš esmės gali būti priemonė formuoti ideologijoms, gali išreikšti galią ir jėgą, atspindėti mintis, kurti įspūdį ir funkcionalumą. Nuo didžiausių diktatorių užmojų grandioziniams miestų/tvirtovių planams, bibliotekų, rūmų iki valstybinių organų valdomojo sluoksnio pastatų, nuo privačių interesų iki valstybinio masto projektų, nuo gyvenamųjų namų iki dangų raižančių pastatų - visi jie kažką pasakoja. O kur dar pasirenkamos medžiagos ir sukūrimo idėjos už jų.

Ši knyga yra žvilgnsis į tai, kas slypi už pastato, į tai, ką jis gali, kokią reikšmę turi ir kokią istoriją savyje talpina.

Įdomu ir tai, jog vieni pastatai ilgus amžius išlaiko stiprias savo pozicijas ir žinias, kiti, tuo tarpu, būna svarbūs periodiškai, ar tampa svarbūs tik sunaikinti ar tik pastatyti. Įdomu buvo skaityti autoriaus skerspjūvius visomis kryptimis, neapsiribojant tik architektūra, radau daugybę istorijos, biografijų. Iš esmės viso plataus vaizdo, kas yra architektūra ir kodėl ji yra svarbi.

Skaityti nebuvo lengva, ateinu ne iš architektūros pasaulio, bet įdomu tai 100%. Horizontus praplečianti knyga.

[Vents · Rating 4 out of 5]

wished for more theoretical speculations, less gossip. Very engaging nevertheless.

[p. · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5☆

let me begin by saying that this was a very interesting, at moments even riveting, read.

personally, i have always been intrigued in the role architecture has played and continues to play in the image of states, cities, and statesmen. in that regard, it was incredibly useful to read about all the anecdotes and factual findings described in the book. though it read at times as a gossip column, i believe that the examples examined served well to explore the different roles of architecture in the historic megalomaniac race of the rich and powerful.

that being said, i wish the book had been a bit more balanced between relaying events and an esseyistic theory and contemplation. i felt like the book itself never quite expands on the conclusions it draws from the events it explores; i feel i would have liked to see a little more meditation on the questions posed within it.

[Liza P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, well researched book, however the author tends to make grand sweeping judgements about the intent of mentioned Architects and Nations, and this can be somewhat off-putting.

[Iben · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is full of fascinating anecdotes, but is pretty much that. Sudjic becomes repetitive towards the end, and I forced myself to finish the book. That said, the topic itself is fascinating.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spanning the absurd grandiosity of Hitler and Speers' Germania plans to glass cathedrals in fault-line Los Angeles, this thoroughly entertaining book examines the links between architecture and projections of power, between ambitious architects and their at times less than upstanding clientele. The writing is sharp and full of clever observations, and I'd count anyone who's had the opportunity to stroll through a city with Sudjic as lucky -- he must share some fascinating insights (and put-downs of the pomposity that sometimes passes for architecture of note).

Even if you're not into architecture, this book is equally an exploration of the intersection of statecraft, propaganda, patronage, and personalismo. Well worth a look.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. I don't often feel so strongly about non-fiction books, but this really fascinated me and was well written and put together. I got everything I wanted out of it and a lot more. It's expanded my interest in architecture, history and politics, as well as helping with my pursuit of philosophy, ethics & aesthetics. I recommend to anyone who has even the vaguest interest in any of those areas. Although it's very fact-driven, the style of writing has a quality that makes it easy to read, and feels more like fiction. I'm prone to loosing focus when reading non-fiction for extended periods of time, but I didn't suffer from that with this.

[Joseph J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The study of power, money and architecture starts with Adolph Hitler and Albert Speer and continues through the worlds of finance, art and American politics. I found the chapter on the grandiose library monuments built to themselves by our recent Presidents fascinating and infuriating. The current Oval Office occupant is mentioned by his iconic NYC building but once; the elevators feature a less than honest floor selection(a "trick") omitting the actual first ten floors leading one to assume the building is higher than it really is, according to the author. Hmmmm.

[Flavie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Per quanto mi riguarda avrebbe funzionato bene come saggio breve.
Il primo capitolo pone degli interrogativi interessati e si ripropone di indagare gli equilibri su cui si articolano architettura e politica.
Nell'ultimo tira le somme.
Tutte le quasi 300 pagine che dividono il primo dall'ultimo capitolo le ho trovate di una pesantezza e lentezza asfissiante.
Ho faticato veramente a trovare la voglia di andare avanti.
Tre stelle perché secondo me il tema è molto interessante, ma non mi ha convinta lo sviluppo.

[Nikolas Kourtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative and thought provoking about the nature of power and architecture. Why we build, how regimes and politics influence how, what, where, and when we build, at the end of the day what kind of influence architecture has if any in a person's, society's nation's ideas.

(Sometimes too detailed in its descriptions though that can be a drag if not particularly knowledgeable when it comes to specific buildings or regimes)

[Mateusz · Rating 3 out of 5]

+ Opowieść o architekturze hitlerowskich Niemiec, o planach budynków w komunistycznej Moskwie, rozdział o drapaczach chmur - bardzo dobrze napisane, przyjemnie się czyta.
+ Cięte riposty, zabawne porównania i drwiny autora.

- Niestety, ale autor bardzo często zmienia wątki, tak, że czytelnikowi trudno się połapać nie tyle, że temat zmieniono, ale dlaczego zmieniono, nie jest to wystarczająco płynne.
- Niektóre fragmenty za długie.

[Nicola Palumbo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un libro che esplora il legame da potere e architettura. La figura ambigua dell’architetto che ,volentieri, abbandona le sue pure aspirazioni e speculazioni intellettuali attorno alla progettazione per ridursi inevitabilmente a mero esecutore del pensiero del dittatore di turno. Un libro interessante che merita una lettura nonostante spesso sia farcito di note personali dell’autore di carattere gossipparo.

[Xvmichal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ciekawa gawęda na temat architektury i tego co ją kształtuje.

[Rytas Sakas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aš sapnavau kaip aptarinėjau šitą knygą ir kaip a shame kai nėr footnotes😭 ne bet in all honestly, hilarious piece of literature

[Lariza Bleinds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este libro es bastante interesante, más si eres arquitecto y te encantan los detalles en la arquitectura, siento que podrías disfrutar mucho más.

[Jenni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very very interesting in some parts, but also very very boring in others. You have to have a little architecture background knowledge to read this one, as names like Kahn, Philip Johnson, and others are thrown around, so if you don't know who they are it might be harder to understand. I like his thesis, but sometimes he goes into a little too much detail about the design of each building (and that's coming from someone who studied architecture in school).

[Auriza Salim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sungguh buku yang sangat menarik. Buku ini merubah pandangan saya terhadap urban desain. Urban desain dapat menjadi perangkat untuk memberi citra kepada pemerintah. Deyan Sudjic dengan apik menjelaskan studi kasus dengan disertai dengan latar belakang sejarah politik yang melatar belakangi pendirian sebuah kota. Sebuah rujukan yang berharga bagi urban designer untuk mengerti bagaimana kekuatan sesungguhnya dari urban desain dalam mempengaruhi perkembangan kota dan pikiran rakyat didalamnya.

[Jessica Zu · Rating 3 out of 5]

only read the assigned chapters. Not so crazy about it. it's about the balance between need to generalize and the imperative to pay attention to details. I'm not convinced that the evidence is enough to support the statement--edifice complex==architecture.
i mean you can say the same thing about writing, fashion, or any other art form.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it.
Back stories are always the best.
How people with money and power influence the buildings and images around them.

[Hrmil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting.......how people with money and power influence the buildings and city. I agree with Sir Norman Foster: As Compelling a read as popular novel

[Liliana Amundaraín · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent for naive architecture lovers! Easy to read.

[Adele Lim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really well written and informative. I wish all history books were narrated like this. Will definitely re-read.

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect book for a social studies nerd.