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The Beautiful Necessity Seven Essays on Theosophy and Architecture
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.
- GenresArchitectureEssays
49 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1910
About the author
Claude Bragdon
62 books3 followersClaude Fayette Bragdon was an American architect, writer, and stage designer based in Rochester, New York, up to World War I, then in New York City.
The designer of Rochester’s New York Central Railroad terminal (1909–13) and Chamber of Commerce (1915–17), as well as many other public buildings and private residences, Bragdon enjoyed a national reputation as an architect working in the progressive tradition associated with Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright. Along with members of the Prairie School and other regional movements, these architects developed new approaches to the planning, design, and ornamentation of buildings that embraced industrial techniques and building types while reaffirming democratic traditions threatened by the rise of urban mass society. In numerous essays and books, Bragdon argued that only an “organic architecture” based on nature could foster democratic community in industrial capitalist society.
The designer of Rochester’s New York Central Railroad terminal (1909–13) and Chamber of Commerce (1915–17), as well as many other public buildings and private residences, Bragdon enjoyed a national reputation as an architect working in the progressive tradition associated with Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright. Along with members of the Prairie School and other regional movements, these architects developed new approaches to the planning, design, and ornamentation of buildings that embraced industrial techniques and building types while reaffirming democratic traditions threatened by the rise of urban mass society. In numerous essays and books, Bragdon argued that only an “organic architecture” based on nature could foster democratic community in industrial capitalist society.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 30, 2019
The reader is left to rescue the gold from the (theosophic) dross; fortunately, the former vastly outweighs the latter.
May 30, 2009
This is a very special book that can hardly be assimilated from a single reading. In this work, the author reveals universal principles that underlie harmonious forms and proportions recurring in (classical) architecture and art forms. The illustrations are superb and complement the text perfectly.
In essence the message is timeless; and this work affords the opportunity to glimpse in a broader perspective the inherent principles ever at work, whether one is conscious of them or not.
This distilled outpouring of thought can only result from careful and patient observation over an extended period of time. And the author attests to this in the preface: “. . . I worked hard on it. Fifteen years elapsed between its beginning and completion; . . .” He states further, “Confronted now with the opportunity to revise the text again [the book was originally published in 1910:], I find myself in the position of a surgeon who feels that the operation he is called upon to perform may perhaps harm more than it can help.” Indeed.
In essence the message is timeless; and this work affords the opportunity to glimpse in a broader perspective the inherent principles ever at work, whether one is conscious of them or not.
This distilled outpouring of thought can only result from careful and patient observation over an extended period of time. And the author attests to this in the preface: “. . . I worked hard on it. Fifteen years elapsed between its beginning and completion; . . .” He states further, “Confronted now with the opportunity to revise the text again [the book was originally published in 1910:], I find myself in the position of a surgeon who feels that the operation he is called upon to perform may perhaps harm more than it can help.” Indeed.
August 18, 2016
I have found myself returning to this book on the principles of architecture again and again, each time taking away some new insight or practical design tool. While the writer is clearly influenced by concepts from 19th century Theosophy, the book is focused on architectural composition and design principles. Highly recommended for all architects and for curious laymen who appreciate good architecture.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews