Architecture on the Carpet: The Curious Tale of Construction Toys and the Genesis of Modern Buildings

by Brenda Vale, Robert Vale

An intriguing and nostalgic exploration of the relationships between children’s building sets and developments in modern architecture This entertaining book offers a novel view of architecture through the prism of construction toys. Ranging over the last century to the present, Brenda and Robert Vale draw parallels between the model-building sets of the modern period and architectural movements, social history, and national identities and myths. Some children’s construction toys such as Lincoln Logs and Tudor Minibrix have looked to the past. Others have looked to the as early as the 1920s, the American metal toy Bilt-E-Z could be used to construct a stepped-back skyscraper like the Empire State Building.

The Vales investigate not only how models sets have reflected different building styles but also whether the toys themselves influenced the careers of the children who grew up playing with them. They explore connections between model-railway buildings and modernism; model sets such as Castos and reinforced concrete housing; and even between the creative but slightly surreal Playplax and postmodern deconstructivist architecture. 111 illustrations, 97 in color

Genres: Nonfiction, Architecture, Art, History

208 pages, Hardcover

First published September 9, 2013

Reviews

[Mike Hylton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scholarly approach. As the title suggests, this is not just a history of construction toys but interestingly shows the potential effect these toys had on later architectural styles.
Four stars as the book is Anglo centric (not a bad thing), and the architectural styles are by necessity rather geometric. I like my architecture slathered in gothic to Art Deco.
Thanks for the great Christmas present Meredith.

[Ann Single · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit clunky but well worth the read if you're into the topic. I feel the authors under value those delicious playplax rings, but I was reassured by their comments about the difficulty of building with some of the construction toys, especially the beautiful but impossible Bayko.

[Heath Alberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This work is incredibly deep. It analyzes the parallels between actual architecture and the toys that often parrot them - or in rare instances drive it to new places. I was surprised by the level of detail provided both with regard to the toys, and to the people and concepts that drove their development. While there were a plethora of photos (yay, photos!) I really wished that there had been >more< given all of the things they spent so much time in describing without being seen ('a picture paints a thousand words' was a phrase that I kept coming back to in this work). On the whole, it was interesting, and while a bit on the dry side in a few places, it was still well worth the read and very well executed.

[Lettice · Rating 4 out of 5]

A look at how early to late 20th century construction kits for children reflected contemporary architecture and inspired young people to grow up and design real world buildings.

The book meanders between introducing a variety of the most popular global construction kits and comparisons it to real world architecture. The materials for both are contrasted thoughtfully too.

A discussion of deconstructivist architecture provided by the conceptual Playplax is genuinely interesting, as is the observation that it is simply a beautiful toy because of the way the light shines through.

I also enjoyed learning about the grand claims made for Castex, a late 1940s concrete pouring set which claimed it would end war by inspiring beautiful buildings.

[Troy James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt as though I learned something new each chapter! Entertaining for a more "academic" read(that is, a heavy on the citation of history, philosophy, architecture, etc). Seems to have been a curious exploration of toys that the authors really wanted to dive into, and I appreciated their passion and curiosity. Very lovely plates! Felt as though there could have been more, and maybe even a coffee table book be made out of that idea in itself. I'd love to see a follow up with the advent of building games!

[Jessica L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book, but not written for architects. This is great if you're a layperson.

[Bexan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was seriously a great architectural history! I was enthralled, reading it in the span of a single afternoon! Bravo to Brenda and Robert Vale for their well researched and comprehensive history

[Am Y · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely an interesting read, and there were already some illustrations throughout the book, but I feel there was room for even more of these illustrations so as to better demonstrate some of the points made.

[Bixmen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing book with weird comparisons to architecture and the toy.