Modern Architecture

by Alan Colquhoun

Colquhoun, an eminent scholar in the field of architecture, offers here a new account of international modernism that explores the complex motivations behind this revolutionary movement and assesses its triumphs and failures. The book focuses on the work of the main architects of the movement such as Frank Lloyd Wright, Adolf Loos, Le Corbusier, and Mies van der Rohe, re-examining their work and shedding new light on their roles as acknowledged masters. The author presents a fascinating analysis of architecture with regard to politics, technology, and ideology, all while offering clear descriptions of the key elements of the Modern movement.

Colquhoun shows clearly the evolution of the movement from Art Nouveau in the 1890s to the mega-structures of the 1960s, revealing the often-contradictory demands of form, function, social engagement, modernity and tradition.

Genres: Architecture, Nonfiction, Art, History, School, Design

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Wen · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok. comprehensive but boring with quite a bit of logorrhea. i found it more enjoyable as a guide, something alongside the internet or library catalogues.

[Pablo Lopes · Rating 4 out of 5]

O livro começa no período art nouveau (por volta de 1890) e vai até a crise do modernismo nos anos 60. O foco é nas correntes políticas, filosóficas e artísticas, enfim, nas ideias que animaram as diversas correntes do modernismo e seu declínio causado pela sua 'incapacidade de lidar com as complexidades do capitalismo tardio'. É sempre bom contextualizar o modernismo e principalmente as avant-gardes, especialmente agora em que a estética do modernismo ressurge porém esvaziada de suas ideias e pretensões. Um tema importante que perpassa todo o livro é o conflito entre a expressão orgânica (o funcionalismo, o objeto altamente especializado) e a busca do normativo e padronizado (standards) em outro (racionalismo).

[Dallas Robertson · Rating 3 out of 5]

So this was a lot more high brow than I wanted, which of course doesn’t make it a bad book, but it didn’t make for a particularly enjoyable read. Still, I had a much deeper look at the history of modernist architecture than I intended, even if I didn’t understand all the concepts. I think a good deal of pre-knowledge about architecture is needed before picking up this book, filled as it is with many beautiful photos and diagrams.

[Sean Billy · Rating 4 out of 5]

really good