What do you think?
Rate this book
Translations from Drawing to Building and Other Essays
Introduction by Mohsen Mostafavi
The late Robin Evans (1944-1993) was a highly original historian of architecture whose writings covered a wide range of society's role in the evolution and development of building types, aspects of geometry, modes of projection, military architecture, representation of all kinds. No matter what the topic, however, he always drew on firsthand experience, arriving at his insights from direct observation.
This book brings together eight of Evans's most significant essays. Written over a period of twenty years, from 1970, when he graduated from the Architectural Association, to 1990, they represent the diverse interests of an agile and skeptical mind. The book includes an introduction by Mohsen Mostafavi, a chronological account of the development of Evans's writing by Robin Middleton, and a bibliography by Richard Difford.
The late Robin Evans (1944-1993) was a highly original historian of architecture whose writings covered a wide range of society's role in the evolution and development of building types, aspects of geometry, modes of projection, military architecture, representation of all kinds. No matter what the topic, however, he always drew on firsthand experience, arriving at his insights from direct observation.
This book brings together eight of Evans's most significant essays. Written over a period of twenty years, from 1970, when he graduated from the Architectural Association, to 1990, they represent the diverse interests of an agile and skeptical mind. The book includes an introduction by Mohsen Mostafavi, a chronological account of the development of Evans's writing by Robin Middleton, and a bibliography by Richard Difford.
294 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1996
21 people are currently reading
222 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 8, 2016
The pinnacle of thought on the limits of and the role of the architectural practitioner on the built environment. This book is my SMLXL.
October 21, 2024
This book, and the writing of Robin Evans more broadly, was recommended to me by a former studio tutor. Thus far I would struggle to find an architectural theorist who is quite so intuitive.
Evans is able to expertly vocalise the many intangible qualities of space, while simultaneously acknowledging the disjuncture between written and drawn representations of physical spaces. My favourite essay would be Figures, Doors and Passages, wherein Evans argues for a ‘anarchitecture’ that “gives full play to the things that have been so carefully masked by its antitype; an architecture arising out of deep fascination that draws people towards others”. This through line runs across the essays, questioning the conventions that much of architecture is complicit in.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and look forward to reading more of Evans’ work.
Evans is able to expertly vocalise the many intangible qualities of space, while simultaneously acknowledging the disjuncture between written and drawn representations of physical spaces. My favourite essay would be Figures, Doors and Passages, wherein Evans argues for a ‘anarchitecture’ that “gives full play to the things that have been so carefully masked by its antitype; an architecture arising out of deep fascination that draws people towards others”. This through line runs across the essays, questioning the conventions that much of architecture is complicit in.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and look forward to reading more of Evans’ work.
September 7, 2025
My kind of wordy essay!!! I found this really interesting as someone who is interested in art, architecture and languages. I will try to read the whole collection of essays at one point because I found this really enjoyable!
October 1, 2011
Simply spellbinding.
Currently reading
April 26, 2008i accidentally bought this book, now i am forced to read it.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews