The Elements of Modern Architecture: Understanding Contemporary Buildings

by Antony Radford, Amit Srivastava, Selen B. Morkoc

Fifty of the world's greatest modern buildings, from 1950 to the present, dissected and analyzed through specially commissioned freehand drawings After a period in which computation-derived architecture―driven by digital design tools, data analysis, and new formal expression―has thrived, students and their teachers have returned to age-old techniques before employing the digital tools that are a part of every architect’s studio. Tired of the perfectly rendered screen image, architects are making presentations that are clearly the work of the hand and the mind, not the computer.
This ambitious publication, organized chronologically, is aimed at a new generation of architects who take technology for granted, but seek to further understand the principles of what makes a building meaningful and enduring. Each of the fifty works of architecture is presented through detailed consideration of its site, topology, and surroundings; natural light, volumes, and massing; program and circulation; details, fenestration, and ornamentation. Over 2,500 painstakingly hand-drawn images of the buildings of the past seven decades help readers return to the core values of understanding site and creating looking with the eyes, engaging through direct physical experience, and constructing by hand. 50+ photographs in black and white and 2,500 line drawings

Genres: Architecture, Design

344 pages, Hardcover

First published June 17, 2014

Reviews

[Muhamad Rizki · Rating 5 out of 5]

good

[KaSaBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recently, my co-blogger Sabine made an observation that while interior design is relevant in creating spaces, it falls firmly under the umbrella of architecture. Moods, styles and transitions are important but architects tend to have these already incorporated in the structure itself and prefer a clean, stark background, which might be construed as a “modern” style. In my mind, this would be likening architecture to that classic black dress that is equally beautiful today or 20 years from now while this summer’s gypsy look will fade by Halloween.

In my wanderings in the book store, I came across this totally approachable book which perfectly illustrates Sabine’s point of view. It is an architectural analysis of 50 buildings – anyone is bound to know a good number of them – replete with annotated diagrams – bonus for those (like me) who can’t draw and really need things drawn out in an understandable format. Before you think dumbing down, think again and take a closer look. Each write-up covers that building’s response to its unique environment, whether natural or cultural as well as architectural influences whether from its time period, the country in which it is located or the architect’s own bent. Technical diagrams – again understandable for the lay person – clearly show technical solutions both design and function driven. Buildings in their entirety show a prevailing design without the overlay of interiors per say.

What did I learn? In the Sarabhai House by Le Corbusier, rooms and shaded arcades echo traditional Indian homes as they are aligned in a series of vault like rooms that simultaneously take advantage of the monsoon and evening breezes.

For the math nerd in me, hyperbolic roofs are prevalent in a good number of the 50 buildings described while its treatment in the Yoyogi National Gymnasium in Japan echoes the roofs of the Meiji and Shinto shrines as well as the Yale Hockey rink.

Closer to my own origins, the renewal of the Lincoln Center in New York City maintained its original facade with technical solutions for repurposing the space for outdoor and indoor use would boggle your mind.

I fully recommend a read…although in digestible chunks!

Katherine

[Alefiya]

Hi