A monograph on the award-winning Jordanian architect Rasem Badran (b. 1945), and a celebration of his works. The introduction explains the author's first encounter with Badran's work and provides a brief outline of the architect's unique approach to architecture. The main book is divided into seven chapters, tracing Badran's training in Palestine and Germany and his subsequent return to the Middle East. His concepts and works are discussed and generously illustrated with photographs and original drawings by the architect. An illustrated chronological list of his works is included in the endmatter.
Dr. James McLeod Steele Jr. is a Professor of History and Theory of Architecture at the University of Southern California School of Architecture. His work focuses on the key issues that effect architecture and urban planning.
As there are not many publications that discuss the work of Rasem Badran, this book is certainly an important addition to the historiography of late 20th-century architecture. However, the book relies too much on sketches and drawings made by Badran and contains very little photographs of his constructed works. Also the book focuses a lot on unbuilt competition designs than on completed works. Moreover, the unusual chapterisation of the book makes it difficult to find individual projects.