Writings on Architecture

by Paul Rudolph, Robert A.M. Stern (Foreword)

The first collection of writings by one of the most innovative architects and educators of the 1950s and 1960s, this book includes a wealth of recently discovered archival materials and many previously unpublished photographs. Featured texts include a selection of Paul Rudolph’s published critical writings, which cover such topics as Rudolph’s views about the architecture and city planning of his time and the proper way to educate an architectural student. Recent controversies about the preservation of many of Rudolph’s buildings―including the landmark Art and Architecture Building at Yale, which celebrates its 45th anniversary and grand reopening in November 2008―make this a timely publication.

Distributed for the Yale School of Architecture

Genres: Architecture

164 pages, Paperback

First published November 28, 2008

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was having a conversation with the editor and when she informed me that they were finalizing this book I simply asked, “Did Rudolph really write that much?” She responded, “No – that’s the problem.” As much as I have enjoyed this compilation of essays, lectures, and interviews, the lack of material is indeed the biggest issue. There’s much repetition among talks and writings from the same eras and, had he written more, the editors could have purged certain overlapping pieces. And there’s a tell-tale gap between a 1971 article and a 1982 interview which, while evidencing a certain void in his career (between, if you will, his concrete and glass periods), also abruptly positions him in two different worlds of architectural culture. It seems that his own architectural approach transformed dramatically, while his thoughts about architecture and urbanism generally are very consistent – that is, he was critical of the superficiality and autonomy evident in both Late Modern as well as Post-Modern work. What seems to be missing, I guess, is how he might speak to his own architectural transformation. Whatever – he published more essays than I ever will, so I’ll simply say it’s a nice, compact. and surprisingly inexpensive offering.