Curve: possibilities and problems with deviating from the straight in architecture

by Simon Unwin

Each of these Analysing Architecture Notebooks is devoted to a particular theme in understanding the rich and varied workings of architecture. They can be thought of as addenda to the foundation volume Analysing Architecture, which first appeared in 1997 and has subsequently been enlarged in three further editions. Examining these extra themes as a series of Notebooks, rather than as additional chapters in future editions, allows greater space for more detailed exploration of a wider variety of examples, whilst avoiding the risk of the original book becoming unwieldy.

Curve is a divisive issue in architecture. Some see curves as expensive and decadent; others as an expression of transcendence - a way that the human mind can express its freedom from quotidian constraints. Yet others use curves to emulate some of the most beautiful forms in nature. This Notebook considers the various authorities to which architects look for the generation of their curves. It also considers the aspirations curves manifest in architectural form.

184 pages, Paperback

Published April 2, 2019

About the author

Simon Unwin is a freelance writer and lecturer based in Cardiff, UK. He is a registered architect but concentrates on writing about architecture and teaching architectural analysis and design. His publications include six books: Analysing Architecture (Routledge, London, 1997, 2003, 2009 and 2014); An Architecture Notebook: Wall (Routledge, 2000); Doorway (Routledge, 2007); Twenty-Five Buildings Every Architect Should Understand (Routledge, 2010 and 2015); Exercises in Architecture (Routledge, 2012); and The Ten Most Influential Buildings in History: Architecture's Archetypes (Routledge, 2016). These books are used in schools of architecture around the world. Analysing Architecture has been translated into Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Arabic. Recently, Unwin has instigated a series of Analysing Architecture Notebooks, which currently include Metaphor (Routledge, 2019), Children as Place-Makers (Routledge, 2019), Curve (Routledge, 2019) and Shadow (Routledge, 2020).

Simon Unwin is Emeritus Professor of Architecture at the University of Dundee, Scotland, where he was Professor from 2004 to 2009. Previously he was Senior Lecturer at the Welsh School of Architecture in Cardiff University, Wales. He has lived in Australia as well as the UK and taught or lectured in Israel, the USA, China, Malaysia, India, Sweden, Turkey and at other schools of architecture in the UK and Europe.

Contact: info@simonunwin.com