Architecture - A Historical Perspective

This history-by-theory and theory-by-history book helps its reader make sense of the chaotic multitude of world architecture through time. In contrast to other history books this book is brief but to the point, perceiving architecture as part of human civilisation. Its' focus on issues such as: "is concept and form or matter the most important 'component' of architecture?", "how close is architecture to spectacle?", "is less really more?" makes it a good reading for both freshmen students of architecture and the reader who wants to get a grasp of what architecture is-and has been-really about.

Auteur

Pavlos Lefas

Contenu

Frontmatter -- Contents -- Are There Archetypes in Architecture? -- Architecture and Place -- Concept and Matter -- The Magic of the City -- Architecture and Identity -- New Ideas or Changing Preferences? -- Sine Qua Non -- Architecture Takes Control -- Issues of Scale -- Regularity and Irregularity -- Architecture and Mathematics -- Architecture and Utopia -- Architecture and Oblivion -- Tradition and Innovation -- Less is More -- The Building and its Surroundings -- The Usefulness of Edifices -- Managing the Boundaries -- Architecture and Spectacle -- The Positivistic Approach -- Architecture and Technology -- An Architecture for Ordinary People? -- Architecture without Architects -- Humans and Environment -- ILLUSTRATION CREDITS