Modern Forms: A Subjective Atlas of 20th-Century Architecture

by Nicolas Grospierre

Form precedes function in this stunning visual archive of nearly 200 images of modern architecture by award-winning photographer Nicolas Grospierre. At once a reference work and a personal exploration of modernist architecture, this fascinating collection of Nicolas Grospierre’s photography covers structures built between 1920 and 1989 in Europe, North and South America, the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia. These images range from iconic buildings, such as the Gateway Arch in Saint Louis and the Ukrainian Institute of Scientific Research and Development in Kiev, to little-known structures such as the Balneological Hospital in Druskininkai, Lithuania or Oscar Niemeyer’s unfinished International Fair Grounds in Tripoli. Derived from his popular blog, A Subjective Atlas of Modern Architecture, and organized by architectural form, this book reveals how modernist architecture is the embodiment of political and social ideologies, especially in public institutions such as banks, churches, libraries, and government buildings. Following the series of full-page images, an index details the location, date, architect and purpose of each building. While many of the buildings in this archive often go unrecognized, their forms are prominent in the landscape of modern civilization. Grospierre’s keen eye and enthusiasm for the mundane as well as the sublime will motivate readers to look at the buildings around them in new and exciting ways.

Genres: Architecture, Nonfiction

224 pages, Hardcover

First published April 15, 2016

Reviews

[Ichor · Rating 5 out of 5]

In his 'subjective atlas', celebrated photographer Nicolas Gorspierre attempts to create some loose typologies of modern architectural forms. Although working in the spirit of Bernd and Hilla Becher, Grospierre is focused less on rigorous taxonomic analysis and more on exploring how different interpretations of Modernist design seep in to each other. His starkly visual approach is reflected by the use nameless categories and an absence of clear demarcation, which force the reader to put visual clues together to tease out the typologies. Capturing the unique non-linear, iterative and altogether messy nature of creative variation in architecture, Grospierre's photographs can be looked at in any order and still make sense as telling the story of a certain strain of Modernism. His focus is largely on the former USSR and encompasses a range of buildings usually excluded from such meso-level studies, including Crimean military sanatoria, Polish churches, a Georgian archeology museum, a zoo, plenty of municipal buildings and the ever-popular Soviet bus stops, which Grospierre was an early champion of.

[Jay Gabler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is there such a thing as architecture-decay porn? If that's a thing, I'm good with it. Read my review of Modern Forms at The Tangential.

[Richard Hakes · Rating 5 out of 5]

To say I have read this book is an understatement. I have looked at the book and have been inspired. On the face of it it is just a collection of photographs of moderish buildings. Turn the pages slowly and pass your eyes from one to another.

[Jeri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cool collection of modernist architectures in 1920-1980s. I appreciate the way the pictures were organized in terms of their shape (form) and made it a circle (first and last pictures being the same yet it makes sense). There are moments when I do not see why one form jumps to the other but overall the argument of modernism as an aesthetic/political category is universal and circular kinda made sense to me. It is an inspiring read for anyone interested in architecture or modernity.

[Sabine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning!